Method and system for processing or searching user records

A method for searching user records for user addresses in response to a request therefor, comprising the steps:

• a) storing a plurality of user records, each record to be processed including at least a user identifier and/or a user address, and at least a subset of the user records each further including a list of one or more other user identifiers and user addresses;
• b) storing link information linking those user records for which common user identifiers and/or user addresses are stored therein;
• c) receiving a search request from a user specifying a user identifier for which the corresponding user address is required;
• and
• d) searching the stored user records using the link information to provide one or more user addresses from the user records corresponding, to the user identifier specified in the search request.

A system for processing user records, comprising:

• a) means for receiving user record information from a plurality of users, each set of user record information including at least a user identifier and/or a user address, and at least a subset of the received sets of user record information each further including a list of one or more other user identifiers and user addresses
• b) record storage means for storing the received sets of user record information as a plurality of user records;
• and
• c) record processing means for processing the user records to determine any common user identifiers and/or user addresses stored therein;
• wherein the record storage means is further arranged to store link information linking those user records for which common user identifiers and/or user addresses were found to be stored therein, as determined by the record processing means.

A system for searching user records for user addresses in response to a request therefor, comprising:

• a) storage means, arranged to store:
• i) a plurality of user records, each record to be processed including at least a user identifier and/or a user address, and at least a subset of the user records each further including a list of one or more other user identifiers and user addresses;
• and
• ii) link information linking those user records for which common user identifiers and/or user addresses are stored therein;
• c) means for receiving a search request from a user specifying a user identifier for which the corresponding user address is required;
• and
• d) search means arranged to search the stored user records using the link information to provide one or more user addresses from the user records corresponding to the user identifier specified in the search request.