Phil: As you may kno, most last names can be spelled in a variety of ways. For example, "Smith" can also be spelled "Smyth,", "Smithe", and "Smythe". This is one of the reasons why the Works Progress Administration created Soundex in the late 1930's. Soundex is a method of giving names sound codes. It is important ot understand because it is used by the United States government to index the sornames of some of the United States census records. By grouping together last names that sound similiar, Soundex allows people to search for ancestors, even when the surname may have been recorded in any of several different spellings. The 1880, 1890, 1910 and 1920 censuses have Soundex indexes, but there are limitations. The 1880 census is only indexed for families with children under 10 years old. In addition, the 1910 census is only indexed for the following states: Ala. Ark, Cal, Fla, Geo, Ill, Kan, Ken, La, Mich, Miss, Mo, NC, Oh, Ok, Pa, SC, Tn, Tx, VA, & WVa. To use the Soundex index, you must first create the code for your surname. Each Soundex code consists of one letter and three numbers, such as G616, no matter hol long the name is. The letter is always the first letter of the surname. For example, "S" for "Smith". However, if the surname has a prefix such as De, De la, Di, La, Le, Van, or Von, figure out the codes for the name both with and without the prefix - -it may be listed under either code. (Please note that Soundex does not consider Mc and Mac prefixes.) The numbers in the code are determined by the rest of the consonants in the name, and the vowels are always ignored. The table below show you how to substitute the numbers for the letters in you name. BE SURE TO READ THE SPECIAL RULES FOLLOWING THE TABLE. USE THIS NBR FOR THESE LETTERS 1 B F P V 2 C G J K Q S X Z 3 D T 4 L 5 M N 6 R Ignore these A E I O U Y W and H letters An example: "JOBES" Soundex index = S120 "J" for the first letter Ignore the vowel "O" "1" for the "B" Ignore the vowel "E" "2" for the "S" Add a "0" SPECIAL RULES: -Treat double letters as single letters. (i.e., "TT" = "3" not "33") - Any letters next to each other that have the same number should be treated as one. This means that you should never have two of the same numbers next to each other in a Soundex code. (i. e., "Turman" would be T650, not T655) - If ther aren't enough valid letters in the name to create 3 digits after the first letter, add zeros. (Like I did in the surnames above "JOBES" and "TURMAN" With your Soundex code in hand, you will be ready to use the microfilm indexing system. Locate the roll containing the Soundex card index for the state in which your ancestor lived at the time of the census. The rolls are arranged by the number , or sometimes the numbers are grouped and then arranged alphabetically by the first name within each group. The Soundex card index will tell you which microfilm roll contains the actual census data for your ancestor. From there, you can get the correct roll and see the actual census records. If you need assistance ask the staff personnel at the location where you are doing your census research. (From the Genealogy - "How to Guide") Regards,-John- [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: Patty & Philip Booth <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 1999 11:55 AM Subject: [PAMONVAL] Soundex > Hi List; > > I am a novice to genealogy, can someone define the term "SOUNDEX"? > > Thanks > > Phil in Michigan > > > ==== PAMONVAL Mailing List ==== > Remember!! The reply to key will send only to the author of a message. > If your reply "might" be of interest to the list, be sure to enter > [email protected] in the cc box on your mail program. > >