This collection of papers arose as a result of a programme organised by the Oxford Development Records Project (ODRP) (successor to the Oxford Colonial Records Project), which set out to record the reminiscences of former Colonial Service Officers whose work had been, either directly or indirectly, involved with the Sukumaland Development Scheme of the late 1940s and 1950s. These officers were mainly employed in the Colonial Administrative and Agricultural Services, although there is one representative of the Medical Service, Dr A.G. Farr (MSS. Afr. s. 1738 (12)).

Potential contributors were sent an aide-mémoire - a copy of which is in MSS. Afr. s. 1738 (i) - which they were invited to answer in the form of a memorandum on their experiences in Tanganyika (Tanzania), adding any relevant original papers they were willing to donate. These contributions vary greatly in size, from brief notes in response to the aide-mémoire, to a full-scale autobiography filling one whole box, E.K. Lumley (27).

Contributors are listed alphabetically, with each being given an individual number that also identifies their papers.