SOLUTIONS — THREE PROGRAMMES
A Programme for Every Stage of Your Family's Archive Work
From a single two-hour session to a four-month structured programme — each designed around what the family already holds, at the pace that suits them.
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How Patinafold Works
Every Patinafold programme starts from the same position: we work only with what the family brings. No documents are introduced from outside sources, no external records are consulted on the family's behalf, and no conclusions are drawn about what any document means beyond what can be read directly from the paper itself.
The three programmes differ in duration, depth, and output — but they share the same working standard. All dating is evidence-based, drawing from observable characteristics on the document. All organisation follows a consistent naming and labelling convention. All outputs are written and physical, not verbal.
Families can engage one programme at a time or progress through them in sequence — a family that completed the Dating and Labelling Workshop may return later for the Layered Archive Build, having already sorted and dated the core collection.
ASSESS
Understand what the family holds and what is undated or unlabelled
ORGANISE
Date, label, and index documents using evidence from the papers
DOCUMENT
Produce written outputs the family keeps and can hand to professionals
— PROGRAMME 01
Dating and Labelling Workshop
A two-hour workshop on how families commonly date and label undated papers and photographs using internal evidence such as letterheads, postmarks and handwriting. Educational only: it teaches method, offers no advice, and makes no claim about the effect or value of any document.
Participants leave with a printed dating worksheet they can apply to their own collection independently, a set of archival labelling materials, a glossary of paper record terminology, and a directory of registered professionals for matters requiring formal guidance.
What Is Included
- Two-hour hands-on session at Patinafold's Ipoh office
- Printed dating worksheet covering fifteen evidence types
- Archival labelling materials to take home
- Glossary of terms used in Malaysian paper archive work
- Directory of registered professionals for matters requiring advice
Session Flow
Brief overview of the evidence types commonly found on dated Malaysian documents
Guided practice using sample documents and the dating worksheet
Application to a small selection of the family's own undated papers
Introduction to labelling conventions and the archival materials provided
— PROGRAMME 02
Layered Archive Build
Two appointments producing an indexed archive of the family's own papers arranged by period, with a printed contents page, labelled dividers and a scanned mirror on family-controlled storage. Clerical organisation only; no valuation and no interpretation.
Ends with a written gap list, a naming convention the family can continue to use, a maintenance sheet, and a short note on the storage conditions ordinarily suited to paper and photographs in a humid climate.
What Is Included
- Two appointments (at Patinafold office or family's home in Perak)
- Indexed archive with labelled dividers and printed contents page
- Scanned mirror transferred to family-controlled storage
- Written gap list identifying missing or unlocated documents
- Naming convention and maintenance sheet for ongoing use
- Storage notes for Perak's humid climate
Appointment Flow
First appointment: Sort by period, apply dating method, begin indexing and labelling
Between appointments: Family locates any additional materials from the gap list
Second appointment: Complete index, scan, transfer to family storage, finalise gap list and naming convention
— PROGRAMME 03
Strata Register Programme
A four-month programme producing a dated chronology drawn only from the family's own documents, a register of holdings the family can evidence, provenance notes for each, and a neutral summary sheet prepared for handover to a qualified professional. Nothing valued, interpreted, advised upon, or sent in anyone's name.
Includes monthly reviews, a bound register, a digital mirror, and a practitioner directory covering Perak. This is the most thorough programme Patinafold offers, designed for families approaching an estate settlement, property transfer, or similar professional engagement.
What Is Included
- Monthly review sessions over four months
- Dated chronology from the family's own documents
- Register of evidenced holdings with provenance notes
- Neutral summary sheet formatted for professional handover
- Bound register and digital mirror on family-controlled storage
- Perak practitioner directory covering solicitors, estate professionals, and valuers
Programme Timeline
Initial assessment, sorting by period, and beginning the dating and indexing process
Complete indexing, begin register, identify gaps, and scan documents to family storage
Write provenance notes, compile chronology, and review with family
Finalise bound register, produce neutral summary sheet, hand over with practitioner directory
— CHOOSE YOUR PROGRAMME
Which Programme Is Right for You?
Use this comparison to identify which programme suits the current state of your family's holdings and your planned next steps.
| DATING & LABELLING RM 432 |
LAYERED ARCHIVE RM 1,120 |
STRATA REGISTER RM 3,940 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 appointments | 4 months |
| Dating method taught | |||
| Printed dating worksheet | |||
| Indexed archive with dividers | |||
| Scanned digital mirror | |||
| Bound register of holdings | |||
| Neutral summary sheet for professionals | |||
| Perak practitioner directory | |||
| Best for… | Families starting out; want to understand their papers themselves | Families with a moderate collection; want an organised, searchable archive | Families approaching estate or property matters; want to arrive professionally prepared |
— SHARED STANDARDS
Standards That Apply to All Three Programmes
Regardless of which programme a family selects, these standards apply from the first session to the last.
No-Retention Standard
Papers and scans are not held by Patinafold beyond the session. All copies transfer to family-controlled storage before the appointment closes.
No-Opinion Standard
Patinafold staff do not comment on the value, legal effect, or significance of any document. Assessments and opinions are referred to qualified professionals in the directory.
Written Outputs Only
All programme conclusions are delivered in writing — worksheets, gap lists, registers, or summary sheets. No information is communicated verbally and then lost.
Climate-Aware Handling
All physical paper handling follows practices appropriate to Perak's humid conditions. Storage recommendations included in every programme are specific to this environment.
Confidentiality
Information discussed or encountered during sessions is not shared with any third party. The only referrals made are from the directory, at the family's request.
Multi-Script Handling
Rumi, Jawi, and Chinese-script documents are handled across all programmes. Dating and labelling methods are adapted to the script and document type in each case.
— PRICING
Fixed Fees, All Materials Included
Prices are fixed for the full programme scope. No additional charges for printed materials, archival supplies, or sessions at the Ipoh office. A small travel supplement applies for home visits outside central Ipoh.
PROGRAMME 01
Dating & Labelling
RM 432
per workshop session
- 2-hour session
- Dating worksheet
- Labelling materials
- Glossary + directory
PROGRAMME 02
Layered Archive Build
RM 1,120
per programme
- 2 appointments
- Indexed archive + dividers
- Digital mirror (family storage)
- Gap list + naming convention
PROGRAMME 03
Strata Register
RM 3,940
per programme
- 4 months, monthly reviews
- Bound register
- Neutral summary sheet
- Perak practitioner directory
— NOT SURE WHICH PROGRAMME?
Get in Touch and We Will Help You Decide
Describe what you have and where you are in the process — we will suggest which programme is the most useful starting point, with no obligation to proceed.
Contact Patinafold