I think anonymous has it right. A database sounds like the way to go to me.

An SQLite3 DB is a single file, easy to set up, and pretty darn fast for small data sets
like you seem to be talking about. Once set up, you can use Perl to provide the front end
for adding, deleting and searching for record matches. It is not that Perl is a
poor solution for this, just not the best one from my point of view...

Just a thought...and best of luck with whatever you do!