Record Linkage

R linkage, in the present context, is simply the bringing together of information from two records that are believed to relate to the same entity—for example, the same individual, the same family, or the same business. This might involve the linking of records within a single database to identify duplicate case records. Alternatively, record linkage might involve the linking of records across two or more databases. Such work might be undertaken to merge these databases into a single database with improved coverage or scope. The record linkage work is easiest when unique identification numbers (such as Social Security Numbers) are readily available. The work is more challenging when only quasi-identifiers such as given name, surname, date of birth, and address are available. In combination, quasi-identifiers may uniquely identify an individual.