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%OP%HE/%H2%SOUNDEX Documentation
%OP%FO//%H2%Z88 Users' Club
%CO:A,12,72%%C%%H1%%H2%USING THE SOUNDEX CODING SYSTEM

%JR%A %H4%soundex%H4% code is a four character representation based on the way a 
%JL%name sounds rather than the way it is spelled.  Theoretically, using 
%JR%this system, you should be able to index a name so that it can be found 
no matter how it was spelt.

%JR%Genealogists (Family History Researchers) use the code to index lists 
%JL%such as census returns so that even mis-spelt names are grouped 
together.

%JL%Every soundex code consists of a letter and three numbers, such as 
%JR%B525. The letter is always the first letter of the surname. The numbers 
are assigned this way:

          1 = b,p,f,v    2 = c,s,k,g,j,q,x,z
          3 = d,t        4 = l
          5 = m,n        6 = r
          disregard  -  a,e,i,o,u,w,y,h

To figure out a surname's code, do this:           JOHNSON
   - Eliminate any a,e,i,o,u,w,y,h                 JNSN
   - Write the first letter, as is, followed
     by the codes found in the table above         JNSN = J525

%JR%No matter how long or short the surname is, the soundex code is always 
%JL%the first letter of the name followed by three numbers. If you have 
%JR%coded the first letter and three numbers but still have more letters in 
%JL%the name, ignore them.  If you have run out of letters in the name 
before you have three numbers, then add zeroes to the code: 

            WASHINGTON = WSNGTN = W252 (ignore the ending TN)
            KUHNE      = KN     = K500 (add zeroes to the end)

%JL%%H1%Prefixes:%H1% If you have a surname with a prefix like Van, Von, De, Di, or 
%JR%Le, code it with and without the prefix because it may be listed under 
%JL%either code.  Van Hoesen could be coded as VanHoesen or as Hoesen. Mac 
and Mc are NOT considered prefixes. 

%JL%%H1%Double letters:%H1% Any double letters side by side should be treated as 
%JR%one letter. For example LLOYD is coded as if it were spelled LOYD. 
GUTIERREZ is coded as if it were GUTIEREZ. 

%JR%%H1%Side by side letters with the same value:%H1% You may have different 
%JL%letters side by side that have the same code value. For example PFISTER 
%JR%(P & F are both 1), JACKSON (CKS are all 2). These letters should be 
%JL%treated as one letter.  PFISTER is coded as PSTR (P236) and JACKSON is 
coded as JCN (J250). 

%JL%Thus, variations in spellings or mispellings should produce the same 
code number: 

            SMITH = S530        SMITHE = S530 
            SMYTH = S530        SMYTHE = S530 
%P0%
%JL%Note, however, that some names which are pronounced essentially the 
%JR%same produce different codes. An example is the "tz" sound in German 
names, which is normally pronounced the same as "ce" or "se."

%JL%Also, the German "B" is often pronounced as the English "P." Thus the 
%JR%German name Bentz could be spelled that way or as Benz, Bens, Bents, 
%JL%Bennss, Bense, Bennss, Bants and Banz, or as Penz, Pentz, Pence, Pens, 
Pense, Penz, Pents, Penns, Pense, Penze, Pentze, etc.

The program SOUNDEX.BAS will figure the soundex code for any name.
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