Porthos Media
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FAMILY ARCHIVES / SUMMERLAND & THE OKANAGAN

Your family’s memories, brought together.

Photographs, home movies, audio recordings and meaningful documents. We bring them together in an organized, searchable digital archive that is easier to find your way around and share with family.

Plan your family archive
Vintage photographs, slides and letters arranged on a warm paper surface
Your family’s memories. Together.

Preserve your collection

Bring us photographs, albums, tapes, film, letters and family records, along with digital files you already have. We’ll agree on what to include and any scanning or transfers needed.

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Make it easier to find

We organize folders, file names and an index around your collection. Dates, people, places and events can help connect the pieces. Tell us what you know; uncertain details can stay marked as unknown.

Share it your way

Choose an external drive, a shared cloud drive, or both. We’ll discuss who should have access and keep private documents separate from memories you want to share more widely.

Extra drives or USB copies for loved ones can be included in your quote.

How your archive comes together

  1. Tell us what you have and who the archive is for.
  2. We agree on digitization, organization, delivery, cost and timing.
  3. Arrange a local drop-off, pick-up or mail-in handover.
  4. Review your organized files and agree on copies and backup arrangements.

Start with the collection you have.

You do not need to sort everything first. A rough idea of the formats and quantities helps us plan. We confirm any hardware, cloud subscription and ongoing support costs in your quote.

Get in touch Mail-in instructions ↗

FAMILY-OWNED. SUMMERLAND PROUD.

Real people.
Personal attention.

Courtney and John help families, creators, and organizations preserve, restore, and share what matters. Tell us what you have in mind and we’ll talk through the project together.

Meet Courtney & John ↗
John and Courtney Simmonds of Porthos Media

TELL US WHAT YOU HAVE IN MIND

Let’s talk about your project.

Your details are used to respond to your request. Privacy information.

Frequently asked questions

Family Archives
What can go into a family archive?
Photographs, home movies, audio recordings, letters and meaningful documents can be brought together with digital files you already have. Tell us about the formats and quantities so we can agree on the digitization and organization needed.
Do I need to organize everything before contacting you?
No. Start with an approximate inventory or photographs of the collection. Keep any existing album, box or reel order where possible, and include the names, dates or other details you already know. We can agree on the sorting and indexing work together.
How will my family archive be organized?
We agree on folders, file naming and an index that suit your collection. People, dates, places and events can help make material easier to find. We use information you provide and leave uncertain details clearly marked rather than guessing.
Can my family have copies or shared access?
Yes. We can discuss an external drive, a shared cloud drive, or both, along with extra drive or USB copies for relatives. Access permissions, drive capacity, hardware and any cloud subscription costs are agreed in your quote.
Can private documents be kept separate?
Yes. Let us know which documents should remain private and which memories you want to share with family. We agree on access and separate the private material from the wider shared collection.
What is included in the quote?
Your quote sets out the material to be included, any digitization needed, the extent of sorting, file naming and indexing, delivery options, hardware or cloud costs, and the expected timeframe. Digitizing an entire collection is not assumed to be included in a single archive-organization fee.
What happens to my originals?
Creating an archive does not mean throwing away your originals. We agree on their return or handover. Any disposal is a separate decision and requires your written permission after you have checked and backed up your digital files.
Project Planning & Payment
Can I get a quote before booking my project?
Yes. Tell us what you would like us to create, what material you already have and when you need it. We will confirm the scope, deliverables, expected cost and schedule before work begins.
How long will my project take?
The timeline depends on the scope, the material you provide, any reviews or edits, and our current schedule. Tell us your deadline when you enquire. We will confirm an estimated schedule before you book rather than promise a fixed turnaround for every project.
What payment methods do you accept?
Use the payment options shown on your invoice. These can include card, PayPal and Interac e-Transfer. If you need a particular payment method, ask us when requesting your estimate.
Drop-Off Pickup & Shipping
Where are you located?
We are based in Summerland, BC, serving the Okanagan and mail-in customers across Canada. Local handovers are arranged in advance. Contact us for an appointment and drop-off details; our published PO Box is a mailing address, not a walk-in shop.
Are my originals safe during pickup, drop-off, or shipping?
We handle originals carefully while they are with us. Mailing carries risks outside our control, so use a sturdy, well-padded package and consider tracking and suitable shipping insurance. If you prefer a local handover, contact us to check availability.

Have a project in mind? Ask us for a project quote.

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Porthos Media · PO Box 1056, Summerland PO, BC V0H 1Z4 · info@porthosmedia.net. Privacy & cookies.