NOTE: These hints reference the VAX system several times. The VAX system was a computer system operated by the Registry of Deeds and Companies from the early 1980's to June 2004. It was replaced by this system.

The VAX system did not allow the full names of companies, as recorded on deeds documents, to be recorded in the Deeds application due to field length restrictions. The Abbreviations Search is used to search for the abbreviated names of companies that registered documents during this timeframe.

The results of a search will tell you abbreviation information from the VAX system. The results are Last Name and, if (required), up to two possible First Names.

For example:

• The abbreviation for Memorial University or Memorial University of Newfoundland is Last Name Memorial; First Name Mun (you could use either the Basic or Advanced Search for this because there is only one first name).
• The abbreviation for Memorial University of Newfoundland Medical Clinic is; Last Name Memorial; First Name Mun OR First Name MCA (to use both first names in your search you would need to use Advanced Search).

Also care must be taken when searching a company which has a proper name in the company name.  For example: Robert Caines Limited would be searched using Robert Caines in the Last Name field, not Last Name Caines and First Name Robert.

You use these results to create your search (usually through the Advanced Search screen).  The last Name returned is entered in the Last Name search field and either of the First Names returned is entered in the First Name field.  You can not use the Middle Name search field when conducting an Advanced or Basic Search on an abbreviated company name.

• Fields are not case sensitive so alphabetic characters can be entered in either upper or lower case.
• The search performed is a combination of a contains search and a begins with search. The system checks for the string as it is keyed in the Company Name box but only from the beginning of words. For example, if you keyed 'Shore Properties' in the Company Names box, it would find 'EAST SHORE PROPERTIES LIMITED' but not 'BAYSHORE PROPERTIES INC.'
• You can return to the main search menu by clicking the Search Menu link in the dark blue bar.
• Certain Special Characters and punctuation, if entered into the fields, they will be stripped out before attempting the search. These characters are identifed in the table below
• If searching on initials, spaces, periods, ampersands, etc they will be stripped out so the search is done just on the initial. Example: R.C., R C, R & C, are all searched as RC

SPECIAL CHARACTERS