The Archie W. Shiels papers are organized according to the following series arrangement:

Series I. Research Material, circa 1797-1964

Subseries 1: Alaska, Canada, and Pacific Northwest reference material, 1797-1947
Subseries 2: Alaska Natives reference material, 1930-1950
Subseries 3: Alaska Purchase, Boundary disputes, and statehood reference material, 1860-1950
Subseries 4: Bering Sea Arbitration reference material, 1890-1896
Subseries 5: Fishing and Fur Industries reference material, 1901-1944
Subseries 6: Maritime and Navigation reference material, 1931-1943
Subseries 7: Oil and Geology reference material, 1930-1935
Subseries 8: Transportation reference material, 1930-1965

Series II. Publications and Writings, circa 1846-1965

Subseries 1: Publications and Writings by Shiels, 1920-1965
Subseries 2: Publications and Writings by other authors, 1846-1934

Series III. Personal Papers, circa 1800-1962

Subseries 1: Pacific American Fisheries materials, 1930-1962
Subseries 2: Photographs and Negatives, 1910-1933

Series IV. Maps and Charts, circa 1910-1944