Surname Folders

Our Surname Folders are arranged in SOUNDEX order. This is a machine generated method of arranging names together with similar sounds. The method is not perfect, but often serves to identify alternate spellings of names in old records.

To calculate a soundex code for a particular name, you can use the FREE Soundex calculator program below or use the following formula:

1. Take the first letter of the name.


2. Throw away all of these letters:


A - E - I - O - U - H - W


3. Take the remaining letters and assign numeric values from the following chart. For any double letter combination, throw the seccond away - thus an MM in HAMMOND is coded as HMND = H553.



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


4. Once you get 3 characters, quit coding.


5. Take the first letter of the name, and add the 3 numbers to produce the soundex code.

Our folders are gathered together by SOUNDEX code. When you order you will receive an email with a login to the particular soundex folder which shares your surname. For example, the names RAKE ROSS RUSS RACHIE ROCH ROCHE ROSE REES RICHEY ROACH REACH REESE RICHEE ROSS REECE RICH ROACH ROSE ROUSE & RICE all share the soundex code, R200. You may check all the alternate spellings and names which sound similar.

You may use the form below to look up a soundex code.