Last Names

 

All names should be entered in the normal order of first name then middle name then last name.  The program is designed to automatically find a person's last name when it is needed for an alphabetical listing.  Certain suffixes such as Jr and Sr will be ignored by the program while it is looking for each person's last name.  If you put a suffix after a name, and the program thinks that the suffix is the last name, you may add a period after the suffix and the program will skip it and find the correct last name.  For example, if you put MD after a person's name, you could put a period after it so that it will not be alphabetized under the M's.  You could end the name with MD. or M.D. and then it should print correctly. The program also will attempt to place two part last names in the proper order.  If you come across a last name that does not alphabetize correctly, then click on the Names tab in Edit and enter the correct last name in the last name field and enter the correct sort name in the sort name field.  You do not need to do this for most names. For example, if you enter a name as John Steed of Kent, the program will alphabetize using the name Kent, but if you enter Steed in the last name field and enter Steed in the sort name field, then it will be alphabetized under Steed.  The program automatically looks for many two part names such as those starting with Van, or Vander so the name Jack Van Ek should alphabetize correctly under V.  But if a person's middle name is Van, then the program may assume it is a two part last name.  So if a name is John Van Brown and the last name is Brown then put Brown in the last name field and the sort name field. 

 

In some countries such as the USA, a name like James Van Stensel is sorted under V.  In other countries, like The Netherlands, the last name is sorted under S.  The program is set up to treat Van Stensel as the last name and as the sorted last name.  However, if you want the name sorted under S and not V then type Stensel in the Sort name field.

 

If a person was known by more than one name, you can click Add Name at the bottom of the Names tab and enter an alternate name for the person.  That alternate name can be searched and can be printed on the Group Sheets and Book reports.