The collection of material held at Churchill Archives Centre provides a comprehensive picture of life in the Hankey family. The family correspondence in AHKY 1 illustrates the relationship between Adeline and her husband and provides detail of their life together and relationship with their children. Adeline's diaries (AHKY 2) mainly document the various journeys she made throughout her life, often accompanying Maurice. Scrapbooks and photographs (AHKY 3) provide a pictorial record.

The collection sheds light on the private life of Maurice Hankey, who was a pivotal public figure at the heart of decision-making at the highest level during both World Wars (and for an impressive amount of the twentieth century). It also documents the life of a woman during the twentieth century, providing insights into social history and domestic arrangements, as well as documenting the role of a wife and mother. Articles and speech notes (AHKY 5) show Lady Hankey's more public life and her conviction of the importance of good nutrition, especially during food shortages of the Second World War.

The collection also includes transcripts of original material (both from the papers of Lady Hankey and of her husband, 1st Baron Hankey) which were prepared by Lady Benn and supplemented by additional explanatory notes and recollections.