How to Search Surnames with Apostrophes and Hyphens

Understanding the Question

When a surname contains an apostrophe (e.g., O'Connor) or a hyphen (e.g., Smith-Jones), the way you type it can affect whether a search engine returns the right records. The issue is not only the punctuation itself but also how the database indexes the name, whether it normalises punctuation, and whether the system’s search syntax allows wildcards or fuzzy matching.

What the Name Search Reference Guide Says

The TitlePoint guide explains how to type individual names in the two main plant systems (TP and TPX). It does not give explicit rules for apostrophes or hyphens, but it does emphasise two practices that apply to any punctuation:

• Use a comma to separate the surname from the given name (e.g., O'Connor, John or Smith-Jones, Mary).
• If you are unsure of the exact spelling, run the search with and without the punctuation and compare the results. The guide recommends using “Use Name Pick List” in TPX counties to see all possible variations that the system recognises.

These practices are consistent with the general recommendation in the guide that you should type the full name and, if necessary, perform additional searches to capture nicknames or variations.

Practical Search Procedure

1. Identify the original spelling: Look at an image copy or the original record if you can. Record the exact characters, including apostrophes, hyphens, and any unusual capitalization.
2. Try the exact form: In the name search box, type O'Connor, John or Smith-Jones, Mary. Note whether the system accepts the apostrophe or ignores it.
3. Search without punctuation: Repeat the search but delete the apostrophe or hyphen. For example, OConnor, John or SmithJones, Mary. This can catch records that were entered without the punctuation.
4. Use wildcard or fuzzy search if available: Some platforms allow O*Connor or Smith?Jones where * or ? matches any character or group of characters. Check the platform’s help pages for the exact syntax.
5. Enable nickname and abbreviation options: In TPX counties, set “Include Nicknames and Abbreviations” to broaden the results. In TP counties, the system automatically expands nicknames for the first name.
6. Check the name pick list: If the platform offers a pick list (TPX and converted TPX counties), review the suggested variations. Select the ones that match your known spelling or that appear in the original records.
7. Filter by additional fields: If the search returns many hits, use filters such as date of birth, place, or source type to narrow the list to the likely ancestor.

Worked Example: The O'Connor Surname

Common Pitfalls

• Assuming the system ignores punctuation: Some databases treat apostrophes as part of the name, others strip them. Always test both forms.
• Relying solely on the pick list: The pick list shows only the variations the system recognises; it may miss a historical spelling that was entered differently.
• Mixing punctuation with diacritics: If the surname also has accents (e.g., D'Angelo), the system may treat the accent and the apostrophe separately.
• Using curly quotes: Typing “O’Connor” with a curly apostrophe may not match a record that uses a straight apostrophe.

What the Procedure Can and Cannot Tell You

The steps above help you locate records that contain the surname in its various forms, but they do not prove that two records belong to the same family. Confirmation still requires a documented chain of records that includes dates, places, and relatives.

Next Research Step

After you have identified a set of records that match the surname, export them or write down their reference numbers. Then use a primary source—such as a birth certificate, marriage license, or land deed—to connect the name to a specific individual and confirm the spelling in the original document.

For further guidance on handling diacritics or other special characters in searches, see our guide on Searching Names with Diacritics.