Searches based on the Soundex are wonderful to use, but sometimes can be misleading. I have several surnames in my family tree that have changed over the years or are frequently misspelled. These variations result in a different Soundex code and unique search results.

Whitenton=W353 and Whittington=W352
Haslett=H243 and Aslett=A243
Majchrzak=M262, Majchzak=M222 and Meijach=M220
(pronounced “my-shock”)
Lipinski=L152 and Tipirski=T162 (transcribed incorrectly)

Many online programs will search by Soundex, based on your spelling.
Ancestry and FamilySearch.org are a few of the sites that can make available the option of searching for surnames that share the same Soundex code. If you don't get the results you’re looking for, go back and try a phonetic spelling of the surname. Ask a friend to quickly write out some of your surnames. If you didn't know the correct spelling, how would you interpret their handwriting? You will be surprised at the number of lost relatives you finally locate.

Thanks to Diane for today’s Quick Tip! If you have a tip you would like to share with researchers, you can send it to: ADNeditor@ancestry.com.

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