I can’t help with this discussion on electronic searching, but I can add that we still have copies of the 1940-1990 journal index available (mentioned above by Bill Barton) if any member needs a copy. If there is no copy for sale at the online Shop, just contact me at the email address printed in the inside back cover of the latest Journal if you are interested.
The current volumes of the Journal have an annual index printed in the middle pages of the February issue of the following year. Before the early 1960s the index was always part of the last number of the same volume.