Cataloguing shells

[dave r]

Hi Elisabeth, I worked at a museum that had the same problem as yours; many shells but no data. Nothing you can do there but put the name and distribution on the label as I did. I also had many shells with just a number inked on them. These were from a collection where the number corresponded to an entry in a book which was not with the collection. This was common practice several years ago but these days it is shunned because the log book and he collection inevitably become separated.
You will probably have the same with the Entomology collection. This is my other love and I curated the entire insect collection at the museum also. I had the same problems with just a number on a piece of paper pinned under the insect.
Regarding entomological collections the same goes as for shells; as much information as possible. This is usually written on a small piece of paper and pinned underneath the insect on the same pin it is on. If you need any more information let me know.
Dave