Search does not find non-roman names in the other last names field

Question

The original issue is that names can be written in different alphabets, and the English transliteration of them is not perfect. Same name can be transliterated in many versions in English. So one suggestion is to use the "other last name" field to write the name in a different alphabet. But here is the catch. Search does not find non-roman names in that field. Check my profile for an example, where my last name in Persian letters are not found with search. I did also test it from the search person page, not just the top of the page search.

Comments

Please also see this thread: 

• https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/178270/use-of-non-roman-alphabets 

for the cause why "other last name" is used with a non-roman alphabet. I believe most of the answers, including mine, suggests that you allow either a new set of fields, or a new name card, for transliteration of the original name.

Answer 1

Hi Artin,

We're due for some search updates. I'll add this to our list.

Comments

Thank you Abby, exactly what I wanted to hear. While I have your attention, may I also ask, where do I check what is on the todo list? I am wondering bc I saw another thread which was put

on the mile-long to-do list 

back in 2013, but doesn't have an update since, please see: 

https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/16195/use-of-gedcom-standard-for-names?show=16253#c16253

I hope this won't take that long :D

---

Hi Artin,

We were admittedly not as good at keeping track of requests, ideas, bugs, and such but now have a much better system. It's there, but the list isn't public since many items aren't things we can have the community have eyes on (raw code and such). It will likely wait until our next search update, but that's near the top of our list, so I also hope it won't be long :-)

---

Hi Abby, a bit pity we don't even see the titles. Could you do me a favor and check whether the gedcom options page suggested is still in the list?

I can think of a gedcom options page that has options regarding "other last name" field as well. Would I enter that as a comment  in the same thread it is suggested, or create a new thread? I'm afraid it might be forgotten altogether.

---

Hi Artin,

That post was way before I started taking care of tracking the to-do list. I'll make sure the middle name thing is still on the list of possible future updates. The issue we run into is how many different gedcom programs we have to account for. Unfortunately, it means we have to concede on certain things, so I can't say when/if this will happen. But I can tell you, it's there now :-)

If you just want to enter your thoughts on that thread regarding name fields, that would work out well. Thanks!

---

Thank you Abby, I have added my comment to that thread now, how I picture what is needed :

https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/16195/use-of-gedcom-standard-for-names?show=560495#c560495

All that is needed is a new field really.