After completion last Christmas, and subsequent celebrations, the database was run from ZIP disc on computer making use of 9 available pre-compiled indexes. This enabled locating and displaying any record in about 3 seconds, using any index. By entering the first few characters of a surname, the surname code could be displayed in 3 seconds. By re-entering this code number, all the variants of this surname could also be displayed in 3 seconds, in firstname order. Selecting tagged entries and displaying in date order produces a list from which a family tree can easily be drawn.
Practice ensures more thought is given to the family tree than driving the computer.
Other databases were compiled, in particular MIs and Directory Tradespeople, and links established between those and the Parish registers. For the first time, a large scale comparison was conducted between Parish Registers and Bishop's Transcripts. Ten thousand events were directly compared, and the error rate of the BTs shown to be surprisingly high. The PR database on computer was ideal for compiling demographic statistics. Day of the week was calculated from the date, and a sudden and popular switch in baptisms from Sundays to Wednesdays uncovered.