singhals wrote: > > What makes it more a problem in a computer database than in, say, an > index-card file or a letter? > It isn't any more of a problem. It's simply that any S/W I've seen doesn't make provision for what could be done very simply with cards - write a card for each name in a record and clip them together if you think they're the same person and unclip them if you cease to think that. In fact a database, designed with this in mind can do more - it can provide simultaneous "clips" to represent alternative views as to which names represent the same person. Some time ago I asked for any examples of S/W which did do this; none were offered. -- Ian Hotmail is for spammers. Real mail address is igoddard at nildram co uk