Hi Jinny, I have been collecting family photo's for the past 5 years and have worked out a pretty good system for me and my family.  For each collection, I open a folder on my desktop and name it accordingly, i.e. Grandma Bev's pictures.  Then I scan all of that collection.  My scanner gives each new scan a file name of scan 1, scan 2, scan 3..... As I am scanning, I write all I know about that photo, so it looks something like this 1. Bev & Jim Thornton Dec 1984 2. Earl & Marge Wahl Sept 3, 1977 3. Bub & his first wife 1982   or whatever is written on the back and what I know about each photo.  I then make up a word doc and input this all into it.  This way when I ask other family members what they know about these photo's there is no guessing what I wrote.  I put all the photo collections that I have that connect to whomever I am sharing with, along with a folder with my word doc printed up.  Then I ask them as they go through the photos if they can add or identify anyone in the photos to write them down with the coordinating file number.  And then I adjust my main word doc with the updated info.  If there is conflicting data I write who submitted what info. When I say collection, I mean all the photo's I get from one person. I have been lucky enough that my family has been really trusting and they let me "borrow" their photo's.  I bring them home, scan and label every photo.  Then if they are not in archival quality boxes, I organize the photo's and place them in appropriate boxes.  I have found that once family members see all the work I do and how I care for them and give them back better than I received....other family members offer up their photos.  I have only had one family member not want to let me "borrow" her photo's, so I went for a visit and took my scanner and we had a great time going through all her photo's together. And they never left her house and she was so happy about that. :) I hope that I have helped in some way.  This has been the most effective way for me to deal with so many photo's.  I have about 14 collections.  And each one brings me smiles.  This way also, will help with keeping the link with RM when you add a photo to your database. Happy Scanning Mindy Wahl