Ashgrove
LEDGER
A family's documents laid out for cataloguing
Our Services

Three engagements. Each one described plainly so you can choose the one that fits.

A short session, a careful catalogue, or a twelve-month programme. The right choice depends on what your family holds, how much of it needs recording, and how much time is available.

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Our Approach

How we work across all three services

All three services follow the same underlying discipline: we record what the family tells us and describe what we observe. We do not interpret, advise, value, or draft. Where a question falls outside that scope, we say so and refer the family to whoever can help.

Every engagement begins with a written brief setting out the scope, the deliverables, the fee, and the data-handling arrangements. No work begins until the family has read and agreed to that brief.

01

Initial enquiry

By phone or email. We describe how each service works and ask what the family is hoping to do.

02

Written brief agreed

Scope, deliverables, fee, and data handling set out in writing before any work begins.

03

Engagement conducted

Sessions at the family's pace, in their preferred language, at a time that suits them.

04

Outputs delivered

Printed and digital copies handed to the family. Nothing retained by us beyond what the brief specifies.

Service 01

Where Things Are Sheet

A two-hour appointment producing one printed sheet: a plain list of what a household holds, where each item is kept, and who issued it. Written in the household's own words and dictated to an assistant who types and formats. Includes a contacts column naming each issuing body and its published enquiry channel. Copies are supplied for as many family members as you choose and nothing is retained afterwards. This is a locator sheet — it says where a document is, not what it means, and offers no view on any of it.

What is produced

A printed A4 or A3 sheet, formatted for easy reading
A contacts column naming each issuing body and its enquiry channel
As many printed copies as the family needs
No records retained after the appointment
RM 470 Enquire About This Service

Duration: one two-hour appointment

A printed document locator sheet on a table
Objects arranged for cataloguing photography
Service 02

Heirloom and Object Cataloguing

A structured cataloguing engagement for households with objects, jewellery, books, or instruments that carry family history. Each item is photographed against a neutral field, measured, described in factual terms, given an accession number, and entered into a searchable catalogue alongside whatever the family wishes to record about its provenance. Delivered as a printed catalogue and an encrypted digital copy. The catalogue is descriptive only: it records what an object is and what the family says about it, and makes no valuation, authentication, or ownership statement of any kind.

What is produced

Photographs of each item against a neutral background
Accession numbers and a searchable catalogue
Printed catalogue bound for household use
Encrypted digital copy for each participating household
Family provenance notes recorded as told, with attribution
RM 1,750 Enquire About This Service

Duration: varies by number of items; typically two to three half-day sessions

Service 03

Family Archive and Handover Programme

A twelve-month programme for larger families building a shared record before it is needed. Includes a full document and object inventory, archival preservation of fragile papers, a scanned and indexed digital collection with encrypted copies for each household, a printed finding aid, a recorded oral history session with an elder family member, an annual condition review, and a written handover brief describing how the collection is organised. Custodial and archival throughout. Nothing in the programme drafts, interprets, or advises, and every question of that kind is referred to the family's own qualified professionals.

What is produced over twelve months

Full document and object inventory
Archival preservation of fragile papers
Scanned, indexed digital collection with encrypted copies per household
Printed finding aid
Recorded oral history session with an elder family member
Annual condition review of the physical collection
Written handover brief for whoever manages the collection next
RM 4,700 Enquire About This Programme

Duration: twelve months, including annual condition review

Archival boxes and a finding aid on a shelf
Which Service Fits

Deciding between the three engagements

Most families begin with the Where Things Are Sheet. If objects need recording, the Cataloguing engagement follows. The Archive Programme suits families with a larger collection or a wish to build a lasting shared record over time.

What your family needs Where Things Are Sheet Heirloom Cataloguing Archive Programme
A list of where documents are kept —
Photography and accession of objects —
Encrypted digital copies for each household —
Archival preservation of fragile papers — —
Recorded oral history session — —
Written handover brief for next custodian — —
Annual condition review — —

Best for

Families who need to know where their documents are, quickly and simply.

Where Things Are Sheet

Best for

Households with objects, jewellery, or inherited pieces that need a factual record.

Heirloom Cataloguing

Best for

Larger families who want a comprehensive, lasting shared record built over time.

Family Archive Programme

Shared Standards

Protocols that apply across all three services

Written scope before any work

A written brief setting out scope, deliverables, fee, and data handling is agreed before the first appointment.

PDPA 2010 compliance

All personal data is handled in accordance with Malaysia's Personal Data Protection Act 2010 throughout each engagement.

No subcontracting without agreement

Each engagement is conducted by one named practitioner. Nothing is subcontracted without advance written agreement from the household.

Archival-grade physical materials

Acid-free paper, neutral-pH folders, and conservation-grade storage materials are used where physical outputs are produced.

Encrypted digital transfers

Digital outputs are delivered via an encrypted method agreed in writing. No cloud platform or file-sharing service is used without the family's knowledge.

Clear referral where outside our scope

Legal, valuation, and financial questions are referred promptly to appropriate professionals. We do not advise on any of these matters.

Fees

All-inclusive pricing

Service 01

Where Things Are Sheet

RM 470

  • One two-hour appointment
  • Printed sheet in household's words
  • Multiple copies included
  • Nothing retained afterwards
Enquire
Service 02

Heirloom Cataloguing

RM 1,750

  • Neutral-field photography
  • Accession numbers and catalogue
  • Printed and encrypted digital copy
  • Provenance notes as told
Enquire
Service 03

Family Archive Programme

RM 4,700

  • Twelve-month programme
  • Full inventory and preservation
  • Oral history recording included
  • Handover brief and annual review
Enquire

All fees are all-inclusive. No additional charges for copies, travel within Melaka, or the annual condition review.

Not certain which service fits?

An initial enquiry — by phone or email — is enough to work it out. We will listen to what your family holds and suggest which engagement, if any, makes sense.

Send an Enquiry