diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp b/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp
index ba8be733a0..ab09782b14 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwworld/store.hpp
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             const T *ptr = search(id);
             if (ptr == 0) {
                 std::ostringstream msg;
-                msg << "Object '" << id << "' not found (const)";
+                msg << T::getRecordType() << " '" << id << "' not found";
                 throw std::runtime_error(msg.str());
             }
             return ptr;
@@ -202,7 +202,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             if(ptr == 0)
             {
                 std::ostringstream msg;
-                msg << "Object starting with '"<<id<<"' not found (const)";
+                msg << T::getRecordType() << " starting with '"<<id<<"' not found";
                 throw std::runtime_error(msg.str());
             }
             return ptr;
@@ -989,7 +989,7 @@ namespace MWWorld
             const T *ptr = search(index);
             if (ptr == 0) {
                 std::ostringstream msg;
-                msg << "Object with index " << index << " not found";
+                msg << T::getRecordType() << " with index " << index << " not found";
                 throw std::runtime_error(msg.str());
             }
             return ptr;
diff --git a/components/esm/loadacti.hpp b/components/esm/loadacti.hpp
index 88f27de27e..d9a55023bc 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadacti.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadacti.hpp
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Activator
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Activator"; }
 
     std::string mId, mName, mScript, mModel;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadalch.hpp b/components/esm/loadalch.hpp
index 141765aa82..b90a7c448d 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadalch.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadalch.hpp
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ struct Potion
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
 
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Potion"; }
+
     struct ALDTstruct
     {
         float mWeight;
diff --git a/components/esm/loadappa.hpp b/components/esm/loadappa.hpp
index adc8e071f1..f18b046486 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadappa.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadappa.hpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Apparatus
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Apparatus"; }
 
     enum AppaType
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadarmo.hpp b/components/esm/loadarmo.hpp
index 356dfc1c5e..54416fd318 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadarmo.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadarmo.hpp
@@ -66,6 +66,8 @@ struct PartReferenceList
 struct Armor
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Armor"; }
 
     enum Type
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadbody.hpp b/components/esm/loadbody.hpp
index 5e9869d247..c48c313056 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadbody.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadbody.hpp
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct BodyPart
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "BodyPart"; }
 
     enum MeshPart
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadbook.hpp b/components/esm/loadbook.hpp
index f96fbd709b..6211b3e457 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadbook.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadbook.hpp
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Book
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Book"; }
 
     struct BKDTstruct
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadbsgn.hpp b/components/esm/loadbsgn.hpp
index 9f9435c8f1..f91f91c974 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadbsgn.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadbsgn.hpp
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct BirthSign
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "BirthSign"; }
 
     std::string mId, mName, mDescription, mTexture;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadcell.hpp b/components/esm/loadcell.hpp
index 1aef97d9f5..12fb8c0684 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadcell.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadcell.hpp
@@ -56,6 +56,8 @@ typedef std::list<CellRef> CellRefTracker;
 struct Cell
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Cell"; }
 
   enum Flags
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadclas.hpp b/components/esm/loadclas.hpp
index 3e489bb58a..972b48e889 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadclas.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadclas.hpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Class
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Class"; }
 
     enum AutoCalc
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadclot.hpp b/components/esm/loadclot.hpp
index 50896622aa..6945f224a4 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadclot.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadclot.hpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Clothing
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Clothing"; }
 
     enum Type
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadcont.hpp b/components/esm/loadcont.hpp
index 76c522d748..ab587f9353 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadcont.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadcont.hpp
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ struct InventoryList
 struct Container
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Container"; }
 
     enum Flags
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadcrea.hpp b/components/esm/loadcrea.hpp
index 1b02aa0abc..47e5954a5f 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadcrea.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadcrea.hpp
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Creature
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Creature"; }
 
     // Default is 0x48?
     enum Flags
diff --git a/components/esm/loaddial.hpp b/components/esm/loaddial.hpp
index d29948c63b..58598d3536 100644
--- a/components/esm/loaddial.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loaddial.hpp
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Dialogue
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Dialogue"; }
 
     enum Type
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loaddoor.hpp b/components/esm/loaddoor.hpp
index ee2b7f7ac5..3073f4e9de 100644
--- a/components/esm/loaddoor.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loaddoor.hpp
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Door
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Door"; }
 
     std::string mId, mName, mModel, mScript, mOpenSound, mCloseSound;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadench.hpp b/components/esm/loadench.hpp
index 3b7746812a..cfcdd4edce 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadench.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadench.hpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Enchantment
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Enchantment"; }
 
     enum Type
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadfact.hpp b/components/esm/loadfact.hpp
index d31670fe28..8645e23fd8 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadfact.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadfact.hpp
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ struct RankData
 struct Faction
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Faction"; }
 
     std::string mId, mName;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadglob.hpp b/components/esm/loadglob.hpp
index 51b2e2dc98..cc5dbbdcfc 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadglob.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadglob.hpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Global
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Global"; }
 
     std::string mId;
     Variant mValue;
diff --git a/components/esm/loadgmst.hpp b/components/esm/loadgmst.hpp
index 398b8047fd..d9d9048b61 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadgmst.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadgmst.hpp
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct GameSetting
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "GameSetting"; }
 
     std::string mId;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadinfo.hpp b/components/esm/loadinfo.hpp
index 59b1af31a2..54003b0d96 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadinfo.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadinfo.hpp
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct DialInfo
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "DialInfo"; }
 
     enum Gender
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadingr.hpp b/components/esm/loadingr.hpp
index 85f2d5e7d2..5846a97809 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadingr.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadingr.hpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Ingredient
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Ingredient"; }
 
     struct IRDTstruct
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadland.hpp b/components/esm/loadland.hpp
index e510616aff..7dc5e8adb3 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadland.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadland.hpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Land
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Land"; }
 
     Land();
     ~Land();
diff --git a/components/esm/loadlevlist.hpp b/components/esm/loadlevlist.hpp
index bcea2b234c..dc6fcda5ec 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadlevlist.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadlevlist.hpp
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ struct LevelledListBase
 struct CreatureLevList: LevelledListBase
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "CreatureLevList"; }
 
     enum Flags
     {
@@ -64,6 +66,8 @@ struct CreatureLevList: LevelledListBase
 struct ItemLevList: LevelledListBase
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "ItemLevList"; }
 
     enum Flags
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadligh.hpp b/components/esm/loadligh.hpp
index 2c83248f8a..ed8c36665c 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadligh.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadligh.hpp
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Light
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Light"; }
 
     enum Flags
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadlock.hpp b/components/esm/loadlock.hpp
index c44e2b0063..0d678cd64c 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadlock.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadlock.hpp
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Lockpick
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Lockpick"; }
 
     struct Data
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadltex.hpp b/components/esm/loadltex.hpp
index 8b45f82118..50a7881054 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadltex.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadltex.hpp
@@ -28,6 +28,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct LandTexture
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "LandTexture"; }
 
     std::string mId, mTexture;
     int mIndex;
diff --git a/components/esm/loadmgef.hpp b/components/esm/loadmgef.hpp
index e66322832f..32b8a85a6d 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadmgef.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadmgef.hpp
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct MagicEffect
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "MagicEffect"; }
 
     std::string mId;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadmisc.hpp b/components/esm/loadmisc.hpp
index 576bd18c0f..6e0b4e01b8 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadmisc.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadmisc.hpp
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Miscellaneous
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Miscellaneous"; }
 
     struct MCDTstruct
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadnpc.hpp b/components/esm/loadnpc.hpp
index b535b91b01..e8867110c4 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadnpc.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadnpc.hpp
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct NPC
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "NPC"; }
 
   // Services
   enum Services
diff --git a/components/esm/loadpgrd.hpp b/components/esm/loadpgrd.hpp
index 256b86cdad..f33ccbedf9 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadpgrd.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadpgrd.hpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Pathgrid
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Pathgrid"; }
 
     struct DATAstruct
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadprob.hpp b/components/esm/loadprob.hpp
index b89b2ddeb6..c737757aa3 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadprob.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadprob.hpp
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Probe
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Probe"; }
 
     struct Data
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadrace.hpp b/components/esm/loadrace.hpp
index 7d5736d9b7..553d2e68b1 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadrace.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadrace.hpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Race
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Race"; }
 
     struct SkillBonus
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadregn.hpp b/components/esm/loadregn.hpp
index c231b6aa0d..1e241fffbe 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadregn.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadregn.hpp
@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Region
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Region"; }
 
 #pragma pack(push)
 #pragma pack(1)
diff --git a/components/esm/loadrepa.hpp b/components/esm/loadrepa.hpp
index 5b404b0e4c..e765bc93a5 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadrepa.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadrepa.hpp
@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Repair
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Repair"; }
 
     struct Data
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadscpt.hpp b/components/esm/loadscpt.hpp
index deb71de6af..56390f3841 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadscpt.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadscpt.hpp
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ class Script
 {
 public:
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Script"; }
 
     struct SCHDstruct
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadskil.hpp b/components/esm/loadskil.hpp
index 1b9db5bcff..e001842970 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadskil.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadskil.hpp
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Skill
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Skill"; }
 
     std::string mId;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadsndg.hpp b/components/esm/loadsndg.hpp
index f89a112082..056958f0a8 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadsndg.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadsndg.hpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct SoundGenerator
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "SoundGenerator"; }
 
     enum Type
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadsoun.hpp b/components/esm/loadsoun.hpp
index 04a0984fda..ff2202ca7d 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadsoun.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadsoun.hpp
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ struct SOUNstruct
 struct Sound
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Sound"; }
 
     SOUNstruct mData;
     std::string mId, mSound;
diff --git a/components/esm/loadspel.hpp b/components/esm/loadspel.hpp
index 4bd2210ec0..491da1d179 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadspel.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadspel.hpp
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Spell
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Spell"; }
 
     enum SpellType
     {
diff --git a/components/esm/loadsscr.hpp b/components/esm/loadsscr.hpp
index 1420d16c47..dc7ad6a42a 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadsscr.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadsscr.hpp
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct StartScript
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "StartScript"; }
 
     std::string mData;
     std::string mId;
diff --git a/components/esm/loadstat.hpp b/components/esm/loadstat.hpp
index 45b05136ad..21a9e66e88 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadstat.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadstat.hpp
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Static
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Static"; }
 
   std::string mId, mModel;
 
diff --git a/components/esm/loadweap.hpp b/components/esm/loadweap.hpp
index 14ddb47082..f66e9f3a68 100644
--- a/components/esm/loadweap.hpp
+++ b/components/esm/loadweap.hpp
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ class ESMWriter;
 struct Weapon
 {
     static unsigned int sRecordId;
+    /// Return a string descriptor for this record type. Currently used for debugging / error logs only.
+    static std::string getRecordType() { return "Weapon"; }
 
     enum Type
     {