This index, together with related microfilms, brings genealogy into the computing age, making it dramatically easier and significandy less time-consuming for family historians worldwide to search for their Polish roots. Zedeck and Tobias recognized the value of a searchable dalabase. Tobias built the database and a search engine, while Zedeck, who coordinates all transliteration activities worldwide, enlisted the support of Susan King and Bernard Kouchel, managers of JewishGen site and server on the Internet. The realization that vital records survived Europe's wars, its destroyed communities and years of neglect is quite a surprise for Jews who have never done family history research. The entries and towns are growing week by week with the ultimate goal of including over two million records from the almost 2000 rolls of LDS microfilms of 19th century Jewish vital records.
Plans are in place to add indices from other sources as they become available.