Make the first call to Record Head count
Record Head publishes the phone number (414) 453-3900 and the address 7045 W Greenfield Ave, West Allis, WI 53214. Calling first lets you confirm whether VHS conversion is available before bringing tapes. Ask whether any work would be performed by Record Head or referred elsewhere, and who would be responsible for the recordings while they are away.
If conversion is available, request an explanation of the price basis, any extra charges, expected completion time and collection arrangements. Describe the tape formats and approximate number of recordings rather than asking for a quote for an unspecified box. Ask for these details together so you can compare the whole arrangement with another option. There is no confirmed VHS rate or processing time to quote here.
Bring a useful inventory to the conversation
You can prepare without trying to play every cassette. Give each tape a simple number and copy its handwritten label into a list. Record the format printed on the casing and note any visible damage. A small camcorder cassette should be identified separately from a full-size VHS tape; ask the converter to confirm compatibility rather than assuming every cassette uses the same equipment.
Photograph the labels before the tapes leave you. They may contain dates, names or clues that the footage itself does not explain. Ask a relative which recordings deserve priority, especially if several labels say only Christmas or vacation. Flag cracked cases, loose tape or suspected mold and ask about assessment before playback. Do not open the casing or attempt repairs as part of your inventory. This preparation is general advice, rather than a statement of Record Head's handling requirements.
Specify the result you want to watch and share
A request for digital conversion still leaves several decisions open. Ask a prospective converter which file formats it can supply, how the files reach you and whether each cassette becomes a separate file. If you want both computer files and a DVD, confirm that explicitly. A playable disc and a video file are different deliverables, and having one does not explain how you will receive the other.
Think about the devices your family actually uses. Ask whether a sample file or format description is available so you can check compatibility before committing the whole collection. Also discuss whether blank stretches are retained, whether recordings are split and how files are named. Keep these as questions until the provider confirms its options. A clear written description of the agreed output is more useful than an assumption that digital means the same thing to everyone.
Check the recordings before putting the tapes away
When converted files arrive, compare them with your inventory and check that every tape number is accounted for. Play the beginning, middle and end of each recording, listening as well as watching. If something appears missing or stops unexpectedly, note the filename and playback time so you can describe the issue precisely.
Keep the original tapes after conversion. Save an untouched copy of the delivered files and a second copy on separate storage before renaming or editing anything. An archive makes memories easier to use, but it is sensible to retain independent backups of irreplaceable recordings.
Turn finished files into a private family archive
Once conversion is complete, Memrial provides a separate private family archive for digital photos and home videos. It does not convert physical tapes and is not part of Record Head. You can invite relatives, organize albums and add comments or stories that give a recording context. The free plan includes 2.0 GB of storage shared across the archive, with no card needed; check file sizes when deciding what to upload first.
Timeline accepts exact or approximate dates, helping you find memories by year even when a cassette label is vague. For a family reunion, a relative might recognize the house or identify the year from a child's age. Live Watch Parties synchronize an uploaded home video with the host's play, pause and seek controls, plus voice and text chat for relatives nearby or far away. The free allowance is 3 hours per month with up to 6 participants.
Let a new occasion add context to older footage
Memrial's Event Memories can collect photos and videos around an occasion through a secure contribution link. Contributors sign in but do not need archive membership, and their uploads collect in the event album. At an anniversary gathering, relatives could contribute recent photos alongside the family's older digital recordings. Closing the link keeps the memories already collected. This gives the occasion a place in the archive while letting the converted footage remain available for future viewing.