The Ted C. Hinckley Papers consist primarily of the research and reference materials used by Hinckley during his professional career. While some original manuscript material is represented in the collection, the bulk of the material is comprised of duplicate copies and transcriptions from primary sources. The series and sub-series arrangement reflects the original order of Hinckley’s files.

Hinckley's manuscript material primarily deal with the research he conducted for his 1996 publication: The Canoe Rocks: Alaska's Tlingit and the Euro American Frontier 1800-1912.  He arranged this material into files by chapter and according to whether information was used only for reference or actually cited within the book. The materials date from the mid-1800s to the 1990s and cover a number of topics related to Alaska including the early Russian presence, the purchase and annexation of Alaska by the United States, and the education and modernization of Alaska's native peoples during the course of these events. Materials consist of copies of newspaper clippings, transcriptions of correspondence acquired from various archival and historical institutions, and other scholarly publications on relevant subjects.

Hinckley's papers also contain research materials on Sheldon Jackson, a Presbyterian missionary to Alaska who was responsible in large part for developing the state's education system and advocating Natives rights and education. Hinckley contracted with Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska, to write a biography of the man and history of the institution. The materials date from around 1867 to 1996 and consist of publications, biographical/historical materials, correspondence, and subject-based reference files.  Hinckley also wrote and published a biography of John G. Brady, Territorial Governor of the state of Alaska from 1897 to 1906.  Hinckley's papers contain research materials relating to Brady that span from 1867 to 1982. They consist of publications, biographical/historical materials, correspondence, and subject-based reference files.

Also contained within Hinckley's papers is a wealth of supplementary research information on various Alaskan themes that were relevant to his work. Dating from around 1867-1990, these materials consist of bibliographies and guides to sources about Alaska and subject-based reference files.  There is also material relating to non-Alaskan themes that was relevant to Hinckley’s research. This information pertains to American Indians and missionaries in other areas of the world, as well as general United States history reference material.