MySQL Restore from a Year Old Backup I have two backups created via mysqlhotcopy:


backup-before-deletion from August 7, 2014 and 
backup-after-deletion from February 3, 2016


A deletion event occurred on July 17, 2015 which resulted in the deletion of about 15,000 rows across 7 different tables.

Because this segment of data was hardly ever touched it wasn't noticed until a recent audit.

The good news is the deletion event can be simulated but it would have to be done on the backup-before-deletion.

What is the most cost effective way (paid for tools are on the table) to restore the deleted data?
Consider


Load the data into a different database, or even a different MySQL instance.
Locate the deleted rows.
Export them in some manner -- INSERT .. SELECT .. into another table; SELECT INTO OUTFILE ..., mysqldump, etc.
Load them into your real database.


Cost:  A bunch of your time.