Kenny. What you are looking for is an "iventory control" system. Many business (and particuarly institutions) use this method for tracking their property. Buy the app, a printer, and a scanner (if you want to go big time). Log into it and your folks could have all the history of the device at their fingertips. Probably can use a scanning app that can view a sticker image on the item, then search your database for the info.
Also, helps with theft and taxes (i believe that is redundant) and inventory of your tools and equipment. You can run an equipment aging report on everything (tools, equipment... your kids!) for taxes and simply to keep track of things.
Pretty cool and easy to set up. Most of all, this stuff has been around for years...