> Is anyone aware of a program that can generate all of the possible > spellings for the phonetic sounds in a name? Wouldn't it be easier to condense it down to a soundex then do a soundex search? That would get you everything that "sounds like" the name. Allen

"Allen Prunty" <nospam@alprunty.com> wrote in message news:uvSdnaiw3pM0XQ3anZ2dnUVZ_rfinZ2d@insightbb.com... >> Is anyone aware of a program that can generate all of the possible >> spellings for the phonetic sounds in a name? > > Wouldn't it be easier to condense it down to a soundex then do a soundex > search? That would get you everything that "sounds like" the name. > > Allen Unfortunately, Soundex searches include many results that don't sound at all like the name being searched. A Soundex search on REMICK often will bring many results like Ranch, Rines, Ring, Ryan, etc., none of which sound at all like REMICK. Further, any automated program would probably overlook misspellings and misinterpretations in transcribing handwritten names on documents. Bruce

To: Bruce Remick Re: Re: Spelling Names By: Bruce Remick to alt.genealogy on Fri Jan 18 2008 12:19 pm > Unfortunately, Soundex searches include many results that don't sound at > all like the name being searched. A Soundex search on REMICK often will > bring many results like Ranch, Rines, Ring, Ryan, etc., none of which sound > at all like REMICK. Further, any automated program would probably overlook > misspellings and misinterpretations in transcribing handwritten names on > documents. I have had incredible luck with Prunty in soundex... I knew from established family history that Charlotte and Emily Bronte were relatives and Charlotte was my GGGGGG Grandmother. I also learned from Soundex that the original spelling was Prontaigh or Brontaigh. Interesting things you learn when you dig up your ancestors.... and I found this with soundex. Allen -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Derby City BBS -= Allen Prunty =- telnet://derbycitybbs.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Where Friends Gather --- Synchronet 3.15a-Win32 NewsLink 1.85 Derby City BBS - telnet://derbycitybbs.com

Bruce Remick wrote: > "Allen Prunty" <nospam@alprunty.com> wrote in message > news:uvSdnaiw3pM0XQ3anZ2dnUVZ_rfinZ2d@insightbb.com... > >>>Is anyone aware of a program that can generate all of the possible >>>spellings for the phonetic sounds in a name? >> >>Wouldn't it be easier to condense it down to a soundex then do a soundex >>search? That would get you everything that "sounds like" the name. >> >>Allen > > > Unfortunately, Soundex searches include many results that don't sound at all > like the name being searched. A Soundex search on REMICK often will bring > many results like Ranch, Rines, Ring, Ryan, etc., none of which sound at all > like REMICK. Further, any automated program would probably overlook > misspellings and misinterpretations in transcribing handwritten names on > documents. > > Bruce > > Yeah. You gotta be pretty drunk to say CRESAP so it sounds-like Crazy Bull (one of the names that pops up in Soundex lists). Cheryl