Keeping track of your medals - Database or Pen & Paper

[jonbowen]

I'm interest how forum members keep an easy to access record of their medal collections, either just as a way to keep track or with pictures / invoices attached for insurance purposes.

I keep a folder for each soldier including as much family and service history as I can find and a basic Excel spreadsheet as a summary, but was hoping someone has set upon a way of combining photos with summary or could recommend a bespoke software programme.

[Alan24]

I've got a folder for each soldier on my one drive. I can keep all my research here with copies of diaries, MICs, cwgc info, service records etc.

And because it's on my one drive, I can access it on my phone anywhere.

[Dave66]

I don’t collect medals (I have a few sets) as such, but militaria in general, many of these things have names etc that require the same level of research so I tend to do both. I have a book where I describe the item in detail, where and when brought and how much,(this is stored in a fire safe), a second easily accessible small notebook has 1 line outlining where and when brought. I photograph the item, these photos, along with all the research then goes into a specific file….easy to print off, or copy onto a cheap flash drive if I wanted to sell.

Sounds complicated, but if I were ever to pop my clogs suddenly my remaining family (who,are all clueless)would have ample info should they wish to sell without being ripped off.

Dave.

[jonbowen]

Thanks Dave66  - I collect to a theme, Welsh 11th and wanted a way to keep track and catalogue for insurance purposes and my own sanity and for those I leave behind so trying to get the right balance

[jonbowen]

5 hours ago, Alan24 said:

I've got a folder for each soldier on my one drive. I can keep all my research here with copies of diaries, MICs, cwgc info, service records etc.

And because it's on my one drive, I can access it on my phone anywhere.

I do similarly without the photos which I will now do

[chaz]

yes, the same.

Ive got all the documents stored on a pen drive. individual soldiers. Family name theme has over 120 individuals. Its great nowadays as the pen drives hold much more than the old floppy discs.

Ive also got folders with individual punched pockets for each soldier. holding certain hard copies.

Family theme has 4 folders currently, the pen drive copies this, then there are files XL Spreadsheets for where stored, how much and what paperwork contained.

[Steve Goodall]

I used to keep printouts in a folder but I've started to put mine in a book instead...

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qhuststhycpey6qhq1x7s/Medals-printed-Book-A4.pdf?rlkey=3nzvf6xr4ss3ig78ruwo8kjp4&st=qja9t8nz&dl=0

 

 

[jonbowen]

1 hour ago, Steve Goodall said:

I used to keep printouts in a folder but I've started to put mine in a book instead...

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qhuststhycpey6qhq1x7s/Medals-printed-Book-A4.pdf?rlkey=3nzvf6xr4ss3ig78ruwo8kjp4&st=qja9t8nz&dl=0

 

 

Looks fantastic great way of laying out very creative 

[jonbowen]

On 02/09/2024 at 08:45, chaz said:

yes, the same.

Ive got all the documents stored on a pen drive. individual soldiers. Family name theme has over 120 individuals. Its great nowadays as the pen drives hold much more than the old floppy discs.

Ive also got folders with individual punched pockets for each soldier. holding certain hard copies.

Family theme has 4 folders currently, the pen drive copies this, then there are files XL Spreadsheets for where stored, how much and what paperwork contained.

Same set us as me Chaz. I do like the paper system even if it takes up space and I end up priniting off what is actually just downloads rather than originals