The European Historical Population Samples Network (EHPS-Net) brings together scholars to create a common format for databases containing information on persons, families and households. This format or Intermediate Data Structure (IDS) forms an integrated and joint interface between many European databases.
During the project period, the main databases will convert their material to the IDS format. In the meantime, data extraction programs for different types of studies (e.g. on migration and fertility) are prepared in close collaboration between researchers and programmers. The intended system is open, scalable, and extendable. New types of analysis can be introduced by adding new extraction modules. Anyone can contribute an extraction module, which will be peer-reviewed and published in an ejournal.