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Soundex Codes

Soundex is a system of coding surnames based on the way a surname sounds rather than the way it is spelled. Surnames that sound the same but are spelled differently (such as Prewitt, Pruitt, and Pruett) have the same code and are filed together. This system was developed so that you can find a surname even though it may have been recorded under various spellings.  Read on to learn how to code your surnames in soundex.  OR skip to the bottom of the page to use the Soundex Converter.
 
Soundex Coding Groups:

1--B F P V
2--C G J K Q S X Z
3--D T
4--L
5--M N
6--R
Soundex Guidelines

1.  The first letter of the name is never "coded"--instead it becomes the first character in the code.

2.  Vowels are never coded.  For the purposes of the soundex, the letter 'Y' is considered a vowel.

3.  If two or more consecutive letters are either the same or in the same coding group, only use the first letter and ignore all others in the same group.

  • GRIFFITH is coded G-613 (G, 6 for the R, ignore the I, 1 for the first F, ignore the second F, ignore the I, 3 for the T, ignore the H).
    • 4.  Add '0' (the number zero) to the end of the code, if needed, to  produce a four-character code.
  • HICKS is coded H-200 (H, ignore the I, 2 for the C, ignore the K and S, add two zeros).
    • 5.  Unless they are the first letter of the surname, the letters 'H' and 'W' are ignored and are not included in the finished code.

    6.  Once you have four characters in the code, you do not code the remaining letters.

  • HAMILTON is coded H-543 (H, ignore the A, 5 for the M, ignore the I, 4 for the L, 3 for the T, ignore the remaining letters).
    • 7.  If a surname has a prefix, such as Van, De, or Le, code both with and without the prefix because the surname might be listed under either code. Mc and Mac are not considered prefixes.
  • De COURTENAY can be coded two ways:  D-263 (D, ignore the E, 2 for the C, ignore the O and U, 6 for the R, 3 for the T, ignore the remaining letters) or C-635 (Ignore the D and E, C, ignore the O and U, 6 for the R, 3 for the T, ignore the E, 5 for the N, ignore the remaining letters).

    • 8. Spaces, apostrophes, and punctuation marks are ignored.


    Free Brochure:
    "Using the Census Soundex," General Information Leaflet 55 (Washington, DC: National Archives and Records Administration, 1995).  To obtain a copy of this brochure, email your name and snail mail address to inquire@nara.gov (include "GIL 55 please" in the subject line).


    Need a little more help with soundex?  Try using this handy little Soundex Converter.

    SOUNDEX Code Generator in Java Script

    (Requires Netscape 2.0 or Explorer 3.0 or higher)

    SOUNDEX is a phonetic code utililized to index various U.S. Census data since 1880.

    Instructions:

      1. Enter the surname for which to generate SOUNDEX code (ignore spaces, apostrophes and other punctuation marks).
      2. Click on the SOUNDEX button.
      3. See the corresponding SOUNDEX code in the field.

    Enter the surname for which to generate SOUNDEX code:

    The SOUNDEX code for this surname is:

    Java script by: Stephen Heise

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    This page, and all genealogical data contained on it are © 2000 Teresa Pruitt(twcottage@yahoo.com).
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