Why devise a database in Iranian Studies? Throughout my research on modern Iranian history, I was confronted with the necessity of keeping record of all bibliographical references which might come out as useful to my future works. Luckily, I was able to start an electronic database early on, instead of relying on mere paper records, which are at once more difficult to sort, more cumbersome to move, between drawers and boxes, and too invasive to carry around public libraries. Having all the data stored in my computer, as soon as laptops became available, I was able to carry along my records with me at all times. To this initial database I later added on another, which works in automatic connexion with the first and keeps record of the elites and personalities of some importance to Iranian history from 1800 to 1953. Such information, as well as the internal cross-reference system which allows to sort the records along multiple criteria have proved very useful, for example in identifying Qajar noblemen whose titles were prone to change several times in a lifetime. This Rejâl database also raises further issues: Which criteria should determine the inscription of a new name? Should non-Iranian personalities be included in the list? Can further links between individuals be worked out according to such external criteria as birthplace, language spoken, religious affiliation, and so on?
The present state of the database will be presented along with a few technical problems posed by the indexation of Persian names in transliteration.

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In dem über die Datenbank Rejâl gesprochen wird, ein Versuch um zwei Zwecke nachzufolgen: bibliografische Daten zu sammeln und prosopografische Zetteln benutzbar zu machen.