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= '''Definition and Value''' = | = '''Definition and Value''' = | ||
Soundex is a phonetic index that groups together names that sound alike but are spelled differently, ''for example'', '''''Stewart''''' and '''''Stuart'''''. This helps searchers find names that are spelled differently than originally expected, a relatively common genealogical research problem. | [[Image:Miracode.jpg|thumb|right|Miracode printout for the 1910 Louisiana census.]] Soundex is a phonetic index that groups together names that sound alike but are spelled differently, ''for example'', '''''Stewart''''' and '''''Stuart'''''. This helps searchers find names that are spelled differently than originally expected, a relatively common genealogical research problem. | ||
The indexing system was developed by Robert C. Russell and Margaret K. Odell. It was patented in 1918 by Russell, and again in 1922 by Russell and Odell. It is formally called the Russell Soundex, and a variation used on the censuses is called the American Soundex.<sup>1</sup> When a computer was used to generate a Soundex index card for a census it was called a Miracode, and the information listed was slightly different from handwritten Soundex cards for the same census. | The indexing system was developed by Robert C. Russell and Margaret K. Odell. It was patented in 1918 by Russell, and again in 1922 by Russell and Odell. It is formally called the Russell Soundex, and a variation used on the censuses is called the American Soundex.<sup>1</sup> When a computer was used to generate a Soundex index card for a census it was called a Miracode, and the information listed was slightly different from handwritten Soundex cards for the same census. | ||