Organizing research materials

[Sumpter250]

So nobody here keeps a database of any kind for insurance, to avoid duplicate purchases, or easier research?

All insurance can do is provide some monetary compensation for all that is lost.

Avoiding duplicate purchases....I haven't made any of those, accidentally. Only a couple deliberately.

Easier research - - - - What !!?, and spoil the fun !!! The "hunt" after all, is part of the fun ! Why do you think they call it .........Re-Search ?? ......Because every time you need it, you have to Re-----search----- it ! :o

My earliest MR is from 1953 ( with the exception of the November 1943 issue which I purchased several years ago ), my earliest RMC is from 1958. I have every issue of MR, from 1961-2007 when I lost interest in the magazine's content.
I have every issue of RMC from 1972 to present ( still subscribe to that ). There are some Model Trains ( does anyone remember "M.T.Hopper" ) and some Railroad Modeler that I picked up at the news stand, or hobby shop because there was an interesting article in the particular issue.
So, yes, there are times when I do have to Re-----Search.