Can't Find the Right Name? How to Use Soundex and Wildcard Searches in Matagorda County Records
When a name spelling is off by one letter—or you only have part of a last name or case number—Matagorda County's portal offers two tools that can help: Soundex and Wildcard. Here's how to pick the right one and avoid common search mistakes.
Use Soundex when the name you have might be spelled differently in the system but sounds the same. Turn it on by checking the
Wildcard is for incomplete information - when you only know the beginning of a name or aren't sure how it ends. The portal uses an asterisk (*) for this. Enter Gonzale* and you'll pull last names starting with "Gonzale," like Gonzales or Gonzalez.
Stuck because the spelling might be wrong? Check "Use Soundex" before running your search. Only have part of a name? Use the asterisk (*) wildcard - like Gonzale* - to catch multiple endings.
- Check “Use Soundex” - When you’re entering your search parameters, select the “Use Soundex” checkbox to search for names that sound similar.
To run a wildcard search, add an asterisk (*) at the end of the part you're sure about. The portal returns results that begin with what you typed, even if the rest differs. Type Gonzale* and you'll see Gonzales, Gonzalez, and any other last name starting with "Gonzale."
Example to try: In the Last Name field, enter Gonzale* to pull results for last names that begin with “Gonzale,” such as Gonzales and Gonzalez.
Don’t combine them: You can’t use the Wildcard feature and the Soundex feature at the same time.
Wildcard has an extra rule for Case Number or Cross Reference Number searches: enter at least four characters (not counting dashes) before the asterisk (*). Fewer than four won't meet the portal's requirements.
Quick Troubleshooting and Examples
- ✓ If the name spelling might be off, rerun your search with “Use Soundex” checked.
- ✓ If you only know the start of a last name, use a trailing asterisk (*) (for example, Gonzale*) to catch multiple endings.
- ✓ Don’t try to use Soundex and Wildcard in the same search - they can’t be used together.
- ✓ For Case Number or Cross Reference Number searches, enter at least four characters (excluding dashes) before adding the wildcard (*).
Common mistakes: Trying to turn on Soundex while also using a wildcard (*), or adding a wildcard to a case number/cross reference number before you’ve entered at least four characters (not counting dashes).
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