The Samuel Rudolf Collection consists of books and documents relating to the Rudolf, Ketterling, Ruff, and Schauer families. The collection dates from the 1880s to the 1990s. The collection has been organized into four series: Book, Subject, Electronic Media, and Document.

The Book Series contains three books in the German language. One book is not dated but the other two date to 1914 and 1938. One book, Die Heilige Schrift [2004.12.02], has an inscription on the flyleaf: “Christ Ruff & Martha Ruff received this Bible as a Wedding gift from George Rudolf on March 13th 1940. Also my 27th birthday. We give our thanks to our Beloved father by reading this daily guide.” This book also contains inscriptions of family history information for the family of Mr. & Mrs. Christ Ruff. Names mentioned include: Mr. & Mrs. Christ Ruff, Christian Ruff, Martha Rudolf Ruff, Jacob Ruff, George Rudolf, Carolina Krein, Rudolph Christian Ruff, Adam Warner and Lydia Warner, Mr. & Mrs. Adam Warner, Rev. LR Schulz, James Stanley Ruff, Rev. Edward Schmidt, Verna Irene Ruff, Rev. John Haersch, John Rudolf and August G. Rudolf, and Elizabeth Rudolf. The third book, Leiderschatz [2004.12.03], has the following inscription: “George Rudolf, Geo Rudolf and Sam Rudolf, Fargo.”

The Subject Series is comprised of mainly of miscellaneous items that did not directly relate to any other series. The series includes a church program entitled “To God be the Glory, 100 Years of Ministry 1893-1993.” This program is from the St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Zeeland, North Dakota; dates to June 12-13, 1933; and was printed by the Wishek Star. There is also a memorial card for Samuel Rudolf, Sr. He was born on November 20, 1916 and died on December 6, 1983. Services were held at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Wishek, North Dakotan on December 9, 1983. The series also has a German language Bible lesson and a newspaper clipping concerning Rudolph Ruff.

The Electronic Media Series includes three CD-ROMs with scans of the front and back of the original homestead certificate of Martin Schauer from 1893.

The largest series in the collection is the Document Series. Within this series are photocopies of certificates, letters, and other documents relating to the Rudolf, Ketterling, and Schauer families. The documents are all copies; no originals are in the collection. The series includes funeral programs; confirmation, birth, and baptismal certificates; diplomas; marriage certificates; and homestead certificates.