Definitely looks like Format.html should be updated! It would be useful if it had some high level advice - it does rather dive into the detail! It would be useful, for example, to explain when to use ONENAME instead of SEQUENCED and what the difference is ;-) Does a change of quarter have an impact on the explanation? This is where flat file format (+FORMAT) *is* relevant since you can change quarters at random. Barrie > -----Original Message----- > From: Dave Mayall [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: 17 October 2001 08:37 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: Fw: March 1867 Marriages, Page 75 > > > On Tue, 16 Oct 2001 18:27:54 +0100, you wrote: > > >Hi Dave and Pete > > I've uploaded 5 one name personal files, no +BREAK. 2 > births, 1 marr > >and 2 deaths. All various years. > >I used this as the third line > >+FORMAT,Surname,Firstname,District,Volume,Page,Quarter,Year,Type > >Can you let me know if I need to change them. > > I think I need to write a good explanation of ONENAME, RANDOM, +PAGE > +BREAK > > The +FORMAT is not relevant BTW. > > If your files are ONENAME, then you MUST; > > 1) Insert a +BREAK if you have included 2 variant surnames (or > different surnames) in one quarter, so; > > Smith,John,Ashton,20,123,Mar,1838,M > Smith,Robert,London,2,345,Mar,1838,M > +BREAK > Smythe,Ann,Aberystwyth,27,12,Mar,1838,m > > 2) Insert a +PAGE if a sequence of names started on one page and ended > on another > > If your files are RANDOM and actually contain sequences of data, they > should be ONENAME > > > -- > Dave Mayall >