Soundex
|
This form will convert a surname to the corresponding soundex code (4 characters),
using the rules specified in the National Archive's handbook. Type the name in
the ENTRY textbox and click the SOUNDEX button. The Soundex code
will be displayed in the RESULT textbox.
|
| To find an individual among the millions listed in the 1900 and later
censuses, you will use an index and filing system called the Soundex.
The Soundex is a coded surname (last name) index based
on the way a surname sounds, rather than the way it is spelled.
Surnames that sound the same, but are spelled
differently, like SMITH and SMYTH, have the same code and are filed
together. Surnames that sound similar, like Miller and Müller, are also coded to the same Soundex. The Soundex coding system was developed so that you can find
a surname even though it may have been recorded under various spellings.
To search for a particular surname, you must find out its code. Every Soundex code consists of a letter and three numbers, like M460. The letter is always the first letter of the surname. The numbers are assigned to the remaining letters of the surname according to the Soundex coding guide. Most surnames can be coded using the following four steps. For names with prefixes, double letters, or letters side by side that have the same number on the Soundex coding guide, see "Additional Rules". |
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Step 1 |
| On the Surname line (line 1), write the surname you are coding, placing one letter in each box. |
| Step 2 |
| On the Soundex line (line 2), write the first letter of the surname in the first box. |
| Step 3 |
| On the Surname line (line 1), disregarding the first letter, slash through the remaining letters A, E, I, O, U, W, Y, and H. |
| Step 4 |
| On the Soundex line (line 2), write the numbers found on the Soundex Coding Guide for the first three remaining unslashed letters. Add zeros to any empty boxes. Disregard any additional letters. |
| "Additional Rules" | |
| NAMES WITH PREFIXES If your surname has a prefix - like Van, Von, De, Di, or Le - you should code it both with and without the prefix because it might be listed under either code. The surname vanDever, for example, should be coded in two ways, as VANDEVER and DEVER. The soundex results will be V531 and D160, respectively. (Mc and Mac are not considered prefixes.)
|
 
|
| NAMES WITH DOUBLE LETTERS If your surname has any double letters, they should be treated as only letter. Thus, in the surname Lloyd, the second L should be disregarded in coding the Soundex. In the surname Gutierrez, the second R should be disregarded.
|
 
|
| NAMES WITH LETTERS SIDE BY SIDE THAT HAVE THE SAME
NUMBER ON THE SOUNDEX CODING GUIDE |
|
| Your surname may have different letters that are side by side and have the same
number on the Soundex Coding Guide; for example, Pf in Pfister (1 is the number for
both P and F); CKS in Jackson (2 is the number for C, K, and S). These letters should be
treated as one letter. Thus, in the name Pfister, F should be disregarded, giving a Soundex
of P236. In the name Jackson, K and S should be disregarded, giving a Soundex of J250.
|
 
|
|
With your ancestor's name correctly coded, you are ready to use the microfilmed
Soundex card index for census records. They are organized by state, thereunder
by Soundex code number, thereunder alphabetically by first name or initial. Read my outline for using Soundex when accessing naturalization records. |
|
I would be very interested to hear from anyone with knowledge or an interest in the Miller family.
Moishe Miller
moishe@langsam.com
My home address is
1374 East 28th Street
Brooklyn NY 11210-5311
USA
Last updated 1/2/00