In names, it may be common that certain prefixes sometimes appear joined to a word, and sometimes separated. For example, MAC DONALD or EL DORADO Vs MCDONALD or ELDORADO). When such common variations occur, the accuracy of matching may be improved by defining Prefix Concatenate rules. In the examples above, the prefix words MAC and EL would be used in the rules.

A prefix word, when found, will be concatenated to the word following it in the name unless that word is a single character or a code.

The resultant word will then be used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

It is important to think carefully when defining such rules. For example, in some populations VAN may be a good candidate for a Prefix Concatenate rule, as it is commonly a prefix. However, in other populations, VAN is a common family name, and this processing would not be appropriate.

A prefix defined with a Prefix Split rule type, when found at the beginning of a word, will cause that prefix to be split from the word. Both parts are then used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

If the split prefix word has no other Edit-List rules, it is made a Skip type word.

If the Prefix Split word is found alone in a name (i.e. not part of a word), it is simply left as it is and marked as a Skip type word.

A prefix defined with a Prefix Replace rule type, when found at the beginning of a word, will cause that prefix to be replaced with the replacement value defined in this rule. The combined word is then used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

If the Prefix Replace word is found on its own, it is still replaced and re-processed through the Edit-List.

An example of a Prefix Replace rule might be MC ) MAC.

A prefix defined with a Prefix Delete rule type, when found at the beginning of a word, will cause that prefix to be deleted. The resulting word is then used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

If the Prefix Delete word is found on its own it is also deleted.

In names, it may be common that certain suffixes sometimes appear joined to a word, and sometimes separated. For example, MATRA VILLE Vs MATRAVILLE). When such common variations occur, the accuracy of matching may be improved by defining Suffix Concatenate rules. In the examples above, the suffix word VILLE would be used in the rule.

A suffix word, when found, will be concatenated to the word preceding it in the name unless that word is a single character or a code.

The resultant word will then be used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

A suffix defined with a Suffix Split rule type, when found at the beginning of a word, will cause that suffix to be split from the word. Both parts are then used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

If the split suffix word has no other Edit-list rules, it is made a Skip type word.

If the Suffix Split word is found alone in a name (i.e. not part of a word), it is simply left as it is and marked as a Skip type word.

A suffix defined with a Suffix Replace rule type, when found at the end of a word, will cause that suffix to be replaced with the replacement value defined in this rule. The combined word is then used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

If the Suffix Replace word is found on its own, it is still replaced and re-processed through the Edit-List.

An example of a Suffix Replace rule might be

BOROUGH =>BURG

.

A suffix defined with a Suffix Delete rule type, when found at the end of a word, will cause that suffix to be deleted. The resulting word is then used in a re-lookup of the Edit-List to check for other rules that may apply.

If the Suffix Delete word is found on its own it is also deleted.