Start with one board. Take clear photos, turn the names into records and check each entry against the original. Once the club has agreed the results, you can share an online honours board and keep a separate copy of the data.
Choose a small first project
Pick one board with a clear title and a few years of winners. Write down the event name, where the board is kept and who will check the records. Gather old result sheets or club books that may help with worn text.
A small trial helps you learn how long the work takes. Use what you learn to plan the rest of the collection. Do not promise a finish date until you have tried the full process on your own records.
Take photos that show the letters
Take a full view of the board first. Then take closer views of each section. Keep the camera square to the text and overlap the photos so no line falls between two shots. Check that the names and dates are sharp before moving on.
- Use soft light to reduce glare from varnish or metal.
- Try another angle if a reflection covers a name.
- Include the heading and year labels, not just the winners.
- Keep the original photos so another person can check the work.
Follow the club's rules for handling old boards. Ask a suitable specialist before cleaning, polishing or moving a fragile item.
Check each proposed name and year
Trophy Guru can suggest readings from photos of old winner records. These are a starting point for review. A worn letter, an initial or a faint date can still be read incorrectly. Your club must check the results.
Compare each entry with its photo. Use other club sources where needed. Two similar names may belong to different people. If a year or name is unclear, keep that uncertainty in the working record until you find better evidence.
See the photo-to-records guide for the capture and review steps. The club archive plan helps assign the work.
Share the checked history
When the club is ready, share confirmed winners through an online honours board. Members can browse by year, trophy or person. Keep the source photos and private member information in the working archive. Preview the public board before sharing its link.
Export a CSV copy of the archive and check that it opens in your chosen spreadsheet tool. Keep the physical board and the club's original records too. A digital copy makes the history easier to use; it does not replace those sources.
Keep the archive useful next year
Name someone to add new winners and check edits. Keep a short note of how the records were reviewed. Pass this note and a recent export to the next secretary or volunteer.
Explore the honours board demo to see the public view. You can try your first trophy free, with up to 12 saved photos and no payment card. Review the results on your own records before buying more credits.