AFD Products: Names & Numbers Manual

TRACEMASTER

Using Multiple DataSets

AFD Names & Numbers TraceMaster customers can search across multiple Names & Numbers Data Sets. To do this, simply select the required Data Sets from the Data Sets Tab ([Alt]+8 keyboard shortcut) and use the Find or Search facilities.

With TraceMaster instead of having a single list displaying the results, there is a tabbed Results list, allowing you to select the Data Set you wish to see the results for, and from which you can select the result to display.

The Datasets Tab

The Years displayed is the year that the data was released (i.e. the year after it was collected).

The results list boxes displayed on screen are colour-coded to make it clear which year is being displayed. The colour can be customised by right clicking on the year that you wish to change it for.

Distance Search

If you wish to search for a particular surname or person within a linear distance of there selected address - e.g. if you find them at one address in the Current Dataset, but have no results for previous data sets and wish to see if they have moved from a house within 30 miles, you can use the 'Distance Search' menu item from the 'Search Tools' menu. Selecting this will bring up the following dialog from which you can specify your options:

You can optionally choose to include the First Name in your search and the distance to search. The 'Clear Existing Search Parameters First' option, clears the Search form before commencing the search. If you have specified further search parameters on the Search Tab that you wish to use for this search as well then you should clear this option.

Finding Neighbours

To find a selected person's neighbours, simply select the person required from the results list and select the 'Find Postcode Neighbours' or 'Find Street Neighbours' option from the Search Tools menu, each person living at the same Postcode or Street will then be displayed in the results lists. Using the Postcode option will normally yield less results than street, but as neighbours may cross postcode boundaries those living next door might not be returned. It should be noted that it is not possible to be absolutely sure who the direct neighbours of an address are as the numbering schemes and street layouts vary immensely in the UK.

Using The Selection List Box

The final list box, after the 2003 Data Set, is marked Selection and this is provided to enable the user to add addresses from different Data Sets to a single list box for ease of viewing and comparision. Items can be selected and displayed from this List Box as with the individual list boxes. To add an item simply select the ''Add To Selection' Item from the Search Tools menu after selecting an address/addresses to add. The list box is cleared when the 'Clear' button is clicked.

Displaying Residents

If you have a list of results, for example of several John Smiths, and you would like to see a list of all the residents living at that address, simply right click the result in the appropriate list box and a pop-up list box will display all the residents of that household. You can also view the list by selecting the 'Display All Residents' item on the Search Tools menu.

Hiding Non-Movers / Movers

Following a search you can opt to narrow down the results to only those residents who have not moved or who have moved (left or joined the electoral roll at that address or had there address changed) by selecting the Hide Non Movers' or 'Hide Movers' menu options on the 'Search Tools' menu. This will filter the results lists accordingly. You can toggle these options to quickly view the full list or filtered lists in turn.

Address, Postcode and Bank solutions