The Russell Family Correspondence Collections consists of postcards and letters from 1927-1943 written by Edgar V. "Buck" Russell and Alice Elizabeth Russell Duke. Most letters were written to their mother and father.

Edgar's letters were written during his time as a student and chemistry professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He married Louise Hartness in August 1938. Alice's letters were written during her time as a student at Farmville Normal and after her graduation. Letters and postcard fragments are included in their own series. They may not include sender, recepient, or year. The other senders series includes letters written to the family members from other individuals and are organized by sender. The papers include a list of students at Farmville Normal College, a Sunday church program, and handwritten notes.

Throughout the letters, Edgar and Alice discuss their lives and time in college. The letters provide many details into their daily lives and can be viewed as letters and diary entries. Their letters also demonstrate how the family struggled with two children in college during the Great Depression.