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To add or not to add "DE" in a surname?


By Visitor - Posted on 16 February 2006

Message from arturoramos2 arturo.ramos2@...

Yolanda:

I guess the answer to your question depends on the software that you are using. I use an online database called The Next Generation that allows you to enter the "DE" or "DE LOS" or "DE LA" in a seperate field from the main surname such that when you search or sort by surname these are not taken into account.

When I import the GEDCOM from this software into PAF, I get the same problem that you do... a bunch of people end up under the letter "D" and I forget to look for them there.

I definitely like entering the name as it appears... for example a lot of contemporary names were once "DE" names such as Rios was "DE LOS RIOS" or "DEL RIO" and Torres was "DE LA TORRE", etc. so I would not enter such names simply as "TORRE".

What software are you using? Other than ROBALCALVA, do you have any "DE" names such as those I mention above?