After reading Claudia Genealogy Blog, I thought that I would give it a try, because I have a number of people in my files from Pennsylvania. So, I went to:
to see what I could find. After trying to search the PDF files and just doing some scrolling, I figured that there had to be a better way. In the instructions, it says:
Several years of indices (1920-1924 deaths and 1930-1951 deaths) are listed according to the Russell Soundex method of indexing.
That’s a new one on me. So I read those instructions. I was looking for Wilmer Cheyney. I didn’t know his exact death year, but I had “About 1937” in my file. To convert Cheyney to the Russell Soundex, I determined that he should be listed a C 500. Loading the right PDF file and going to the right page, there is was.
Next, to create a list from my genealogy database for everyone who died in Pennsylvania between 1906 and 1961, translate to eh Russell Soundex and do some searching. I will then determine which, if any, I send away for. This will be one of them.
Thank you Claudia for the Blog Post.
A Worthington Weblog 
You’re welcome Russ, I hope a lot of people find it helpful. I have already found four relatives in the first hour.
Claudia,
I have been working on my list. I will post a follow up on when to use and not use the Russell Soundex.
Thanks again,
Russ
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jmtomko – True, but not difficult to find who you are looking for, once you understand .ow it works.
Russ
I am just thrilled it’s available. And you are right, it’s not difficult to calculate the soundex code. It’s actually been a benefit for finding some of the people in my database because all surname spelling variations are mixed together.
jmtomko – I have just finished all of my Soundex folks, working on the Soundex group. My data has been pretty good, but found some discrepencies AND found, I hope, information for a cousin’s brick wall.
Thank you for your comments.
Russ
Any idea what the numeric code is next to the C 500 in your example? There’s no key provided by PA, so I’m not sure if it means anything or not. So, I know the 3 31 37 is the day the person died. Is the “15” a county code? Cause of death code? Thanks for anything you can do to shed light on this mystery.
Marty,
I am not sure that is as important as the Certificate Number. I went through my notes and didn’t see anything. You might go back to the Department of Healths website to see if that is shown there. I took a quick look, but didn’t see anything.
Sorry,
Russ