Our Services
Three engagements — each with a fixed scope and written deliverables
Whether you need a catalogue of physical effects, a consolidated document archive, or ongoing records maintenance, each engagement is designed to complete at a specific point with specific outcomes.
← Back to HomeOur Methodology
How we approach records work
Every Vellum Row engagement begins with a clear understanding of scope. Before any work starts, both sides agree on what will be produced, when work will conclude, and what falls outside the engagement. This discipline — which sounds straightforward but is less common in practice than it should be — means there are no surprises at handover.
Our work is descriptive and organisational throughout. We do not form views about what documents mean, what items are worth, or what arrangements are appropriate. A Vellum Row archive describes what a family holds and what is known about it — clearly, in plain language, in formats that do not require our continued involvement to use.
The three engagements below differ in duration and scope, but share the same underlying approach: define first, document throughout, deliver completely.
Define scope first
Written deliverable list agreed before work begins. No scope creep.
Document throughout
Preparation log tracks every item at every stage of the engagement.
Deliver completely
Originals returned with all deliverables at a defined handover meeting.
Enable independence
Open formats and plain-language indexing so families can use the archive without us.
Service 01
Heirloom and Effects Cataloguing
RM 470 · One to two weeks
A cataloguing service for the physical items a family wants recorded: jewellery, watches, furniture, textiles, ceramics, instruments and personal effects. Each item is photographed from several angles, measured, described in neutral factual terms, and given a catalogue reference, with any provenance material such as receipts, letters or photographs linked to the entry.
The catalogue records what exists and what is known about it. It does not value items, advise on any matter, or express a view on arrangements. Families use it to establish a clear record of the household's physical holdings at a point in time.
What is included
- Photographic catalogue in print and digital form
- Item descriptions and measurements
- Provenance material links where available
- Condition notes for each item
- Labelled digital folder set
Typical process
- 1.Initial conversation to confirm items in scope
- 2.Site visit to photograph and measure all items
- 3.Catalogue draft and provenance link preparation
- 4.Client review and any corrections
- 5.Final catalogue delivered in print and digital
Service 02
Records Consolidation Engagement
RM 2,860 · Ten weeks
A ten-week engagement bringing scattered estate records into one consolidated, indexed archive. Papers held in several locations are gathered under the client's instruction, sorted by category and period, scanned at archival quality, indexed with plain descriptions, and returned in acid-free folders alongside a structured digital set.
Where institutions have asked for particular documents, copy sets are prepared in the requested format for the client to submit in their own name. Clerical and organisational scope only — no assessments, no advice, no representation.
What is included
- Gathering and sorting across multiple locations
- Archival-quality scanning
- Full plain-language index
- Acid-free folder storage for originals
- Copy sets prepared for client submission
- Preparation log and written handover
- Dual-media digital delivery
Service 03
Family Archive Custodianship Programme
RM 4,120 / year · Twelve months from enrolment
A twelve-month programme for families who want an archive kept current rather than built once and left. We maintain the index as new material arrives, add new scans on an agreed schedule, refresh digital media, monitor storage conditions, and hold quarterly meetings so the family can review what has changed.
A written custodianship protocol names who holds access and how the family can take the work in-house later if it wishes. Descriptive and organisational throughout. Runs twelve months from enrolment and may be renewed at the conclusion of each programme year.
What is included
- Quarterly index updates
- Ongoing scanning as new material arrives
- Digital media refresh
- Storage condition monitoring
- Four family meetings per year
- Written custodianship protocol
- End-of-year archive report
Help Choosing
Which engagement fits your situation?
| Heirloom Catalogue | Records Consolidation | Custodianship | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RM 470 | RM 2,860 | RM 4,120 / year | |
| Physical effects catalogued | — | — | |
| Document sorting and indexing | — | ||
| Archival scanning | — | ||
| Copy sets for submission | — | — | |
| Ongoing maintenance | — | — | |
| Quarterly family meetings | — | — | |
| Custodianship protocol | — | — | |
| Best suited to… | Families who want a record of physical effects at a point in time | Families managing an active estate or with papers held in multiple locations | Families who want the archive maintained and kept current year-on-year |
Shared Standards
Standards applied across all three engagements
Document security
Originals held in our Kuching office only. Nothing shared with third parties without explicit client direction. Receipt and return tracked in writing.
Archival materials
Acid-free, lignin-free folders and boxes. Buffered tissue where appropriate. Materials selected for Sarawak's humidity and temperature, not generalist office supply alternatives.
Preparation logs
Every item that passes through the office is logged on arrival and departure. The log is delivered to the client at handover. Neither side is left without a record of what was handled.
Open digital formats
PDF/A for documents, TIFF or JPEG for photographs, CSV or plain text for indexes. No proprietary formats that require a subscription or account to read.
Plain-language indexing
Descriptions written so any family member can navigate the archive without specialist knowledge. The index is designed to outlast the engagement that produced it.
Written handover
Every engagement concludes with a written handover meeting. The scope of what was produced, what was returned, and what the client can do next is documented and left with the family.
Pricing
Fixed prices. No additional charges.
All prices in Malaysian Ringgit (RM). Each price includes all deliverables listed in the engagement description.
Heirloom Catalogue
RM 470
Per engagement · 1–2 weeks
- Photographic catalogue
- Item descriptions and measurements
- Provenance links
- Digital folder set
Records Consolidation
RM 2,860
Per engagement · 10 weeks
- Gathering, sorting, scanning
- Full plain-language index
- Acid-free storage
- Copy sets + dual-media delivery
Custodianship Programme
RM 4,120
Per year · 12-month programme
- Quarterly index updates
- Four family meetings
- Custodianship protocol
- End-of-year report
Not sure which service suits your situation?
Send us a brief description of what you hold and we will tell you which engagement is the appropriate starting point. There is no obligation attached to the initial conversation.
Start an Enquiry