WHAT IS SOUNDEX

Soundex, what is it? 

Soundex is a code for a last name(surname) based on the way a name sounds, 
instead of how it is spelled. Surnames that sound the same, but are spelled 
differently, like OWENS and OINS or SLATON and SLAYTON, will have the same code, 
even though the spelling is different. It's a phonetic code utililized to index 
various U.S. Census data since 1880. But most of our info here in the archives is 
not census but yet we do want you to use it. It just makes it easier for a 
researcher to find a name, no matter what the spelling.

Now obviously, if you have a file that mentions several names, you can not give 
it a soundex code, you will have to give it a creative name. But if you have a 
file that only mentions ONE name, please use the soundex code to -name- that 
file.(This is also briefly mentioned in the txthtml.txt file)  If you look at the
sample toc page, notice the links under Bibles, Bios, Census (slaton), Land 
Grants,  and Wills, those files are named using the soundex. 

One place to go ONLINE to convert names is at 
http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/Genea/soundex.sh

If you want to read a bit about soundex, one good site is at 
http://www.nara.gov/genealogy/coding.html

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