METHODOLOGY — HOW THE WORK IS CARRIED OUT
The method behind every programme
Every programme begins with a short preliminary session — usually thirty to forty-five minutes — in which the coordinator walks through what exists, asks where the family feels most uncertain, and confirms the scope of the engagement. No paperwork is touched in this session; it is purely to understand the situation before any work begins.
Work sessions follow a consistent pattern: the coordinator arrives with all necessary materials, the session addresses one portion of the archive or collection, and the outputs for that portion — labelled folders, scanned files, catalogue entries — are completed before the coordinator leaves. Nothing is left in an intermediate state between sessions.
Administrative work throughout: sorting, labelling, photographing, scanning, cataloguing, indexing and writing. No document is read for its regulated content, no object is valued, and no comment is made on what should happen to anything. Regulated matters are listed for referral to a qualified professional.
PROGRAMME 01 — SINGLE-DECADE SORT
ONE DECADE · ONE SESSION OF 2 HOURS · RM 530
Single-Decade Sort
A deliberately small engagement covering one decade of a household's papers — often the earliest one, which is usually where the uncertainty sits. The coordinator sorts that decade with you, groups and labels it, notes duplicates and gaps, and writes a one-page summary you keep. It exists so a family can see how the work feels before deciding whether to continue, and so the first step never requires a large decision.
Administrative work only: no reading for meaning, no valuation, no comment on regulated matters, no contact with anyone on your behalf.
- Labelled folder set for the decade
- One-page written summary you keep
- Gap list noting what appears missing
- Reusable method sheet to continue independently
HOW THE SESSION PROCEEDS
- 01 Walk through the decade's materials together
- 02 Sort into groups by year and type
- 03 Label folders and note gaps
- 04 Write and hand over the one-page summary
PROGRAMME 02 — OBJECTS AND PROVENANCE
6 SESSIONS · 6 WEEKS · UP TO 150 ITEMS · RM 2,050
Objects & Provenance Programme
A six-week programme focused on the objects a family holds rather than its paperwork: photographs, letters, jewellery, instruments, furniture, textiles. Each item is given a reference, photographed on a neutral ground, measured, described in plain language, and given a provenance line in the family's own words — who owned it, when it arrived, what story is attached. Fragile material is noted against a storage condition checklist drawn from published conservation guidance and offered as general information.
Description, photography and cataloguing only: no appraisal, no valuation for any regulated purpose, no advice on regulated matters, and no comment on what should happen to anything.
- Printed and digital catalogue
- Reference labels for each item
- Provenance notes in the family's own words
- Storage condition checklist
- Family recording session — stories written down
HOW SESSIONS PROCEED
- 01 Initial walkthrough and grouping by type
- 02 Photography, measurement and reference numbering
- 03 Plain-language description and provenance recording
- 04 Storage condition notes
- 05 Family recording session — spoken stories written down
- 06 Final catalogue — printed and digital — handed over
PROGRAMME 03 — COMPLETE RECORDS AND HANDOVER
UP TO 18 SESSIONS · 16 WEEKS · RM 4,700
Complete Records & Handover Programme
A four-month programme delivering one arrangement covering everything: papers, devices and objects. The coordinator inventories every container and drive; separates active from archive; scans, references and indexes the digital set onto family-owned storage; rebuilds and labels the physical set to one convention; photographs and catalogues objects with provenance lines; and writes a full orientation document that a reader with no prior knowledge could pick up and follow. Three walkthrough sessions ensure at least two family members can navigate it unaided.
Non-regulated administrative work throughout: sorting, scanning, cataloguing, indexing, labelling and writing. A register of open regulated matters is provided for referral to qualified professionals.
- Full inventory and indexed digital archive on family-owned storage
- Object catalogue with provenance lines
- Labelled physical archive to one convention
- Orientation document any family member can follow
- Register of open points for qualified professionals
- Annual review calendar and three walkthrough sessions
DECISION GUIDE — WHICH PROGRAMME IS RIGHT FOR YOU
Choosing the right starting point
None of the programmes require a prior one. If you are uncertain, the Single-Decade Sort is the sensible first step — it is useful in itself, and it makes any later decision easier.
| Feature | Single-Decade Sort | Objects & Provenance | Complete Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 530 | RM 2,050 | RM 4,700 |
| Duration | 2 hours | 6 weeks | 16 weeks |
| Papers | One decade | — | All decades |
| Objects and heirlooms | — | Up to 150 items | Included |
| Digital scanning & indexing | — | — | Included |
| Orientation document | One-page summary | Printed & digital catalogue | Full orientation document |
| Walkthrough sessions | — | — | Three included |
| Register of open matters | Gap list | — | Full register |
| Best for | Families unsure where to start | Families with objects to document | Families ready for a full arrangement |
PROTOCOLS — STANDARDS SHARED ACROSS ALL PROGRAMMES
What every programme includes
Confidentiality
Nothing seen during a session is discussed or shared outside it. A written confidentiality agreement is available on request.
Family-owned outputs
All physical and digital materials leave with the family. Legatum retains no copies.
Acid-free materials
Physical labels and folders use acid-free materials appropriate for long-term paper storage.
No regulated advice
Administrative work only. Every regulated matter is noted and referred to an appropriate qualified professional.
Reusable methods
Every programme includes a method sheet so the family can maintain and extend the arrangement independently.
In-person, at your location
All sessions are carried out in your home. Travel within Petaling Jaya and the Klang Valley is included in the programme fee.
FEES — FIXED, ALL-INCLUSIVE, IN MALAYSIAN RINGGIT
Programme fees
All fees are fixed and all-inclusive: sessions, materials, travel within the Klang Valley and all written outputs. External storage media are purchased separately by the family at cost.
PROGRAMME 01
Single-Decade Sort
RM 530
One session · 2 hours · one decade
- Labelled folder set
- One-page summary
- Gap list
- Method sheet
PROGRAMME 02
Objects & Provenance
RM 2,050
6 sessions · 6 weeks · up to 150 items
- Printed & digital catalogue
- Reference labels
- Provenance notes
- Storage checklist
- Family recording session
PROGRAMME 03
Complete Records
RM 4,700
18 sessions · 16 weeks · full arrangement
- Full inventory & indexed archive
- Object catalogue
- Orientation document
- Register of open matters
- Three walkthrough sessions
- Annual review calendar
GET STARTED
Not sure which programme fits? Ask.
Send a brief description of what you are working with — a box, a room, a household — and we will suggest where to start. There is no obligation to proceed.
Send a Message