Individual Name Rules

In Western cultures a complete name usually consists of a given name, commonly referred to as a first name or Christian name, and a (most commonly patrilineal) family name or surname, also referred to as a last name.  There can be several given names, some of these being often referred to as a second name, or middle name(s).

The indexer should assume that human names are presented in the format of given name followed by surname.  If a comma follows the first name then the indexer should assume that the name is Surname, Given Name and index accordingly.  The names of individual parties should be indexed as Surname, First Middle.

Name presented:  Robert C. Smith

Would be indexed as:

SMITH, ROBERT C

Name presented: Smith, Robert Charles

Would be indexed as:

SMITH, ROBERT CHARLES

When the first name is followed by a comma (,) the indexer should assume it is the surname and index accordingly.

Name presented: Robert Charles and Marsha Lynn Smith

Would be indexed as:

SMITH, ROBERT CHARLES

SMITH, MARSHA LYNN

Name presented: Dan Alexander and Carla Ann Courtney

Would be indexed as:

COURTNEY, DAN ALEXANDER

COURTNEY, CARLA ANN

Always check the signatures!  In the name above it is unclear whether Alexander is the middle name or surname, checking the signature can clarify.  If it is still unclear because the individual did not sign the document then add an additional entry for:

ALEXANDER, DAN

Name Presented: John Adams and Benjamin Franklin

Would be indexed as:

ADAMS, JOHN

FRANKLIN, BENJAMIN

When presented with a foreign name the indexer should assume the name format of First Middle Last and index accordingly.  It is not the job of the indexer to determine the name format.

Name presented: Luc Lin Jiang

Would be indexed as:

JIANG, LUC LIN