Membership numbers are logged in the [[Membership Book]] to avoid duplication.
Numbers are in two parts, a letter and several digitsPresent practice is to assign sequential numbers. The letter This is first letter of done automatically by the web site the surnameSociety moved to in 2022. While usually obviousNumbering of new members started with #101, prefixes such as de or von, and titles such as Füerst or Prinz are not counted. The prefix Van usually has been counted, von has not; it's not entirely clear what the logic is herelower numbers were retroactively assigned to existing members in order of their membership date.
The previous system used numbers with two parts, a letter and several digits. The letter is first letter of the surname. While usually obvious, prefixes such as de or von, and titles such as Füerst or Prinz are not counted. The prefix Van usually has been counted, von has not; it's not entirely clear what the logic is here. The letter is followed by a number, which is assigned in sequential order to the extent possible (but see below). Members who left before 2022 will retain these numbers.
Members In the above system, members whose last name changes (e.g.: a woman changing name at marriage or divorce) will were not be issued a new membership number.
An earlier system of sequential numbers exists, and these are being loaded into the Membership Book by prefixing them with "X-" (as no surnames in the second system began with that letter). Not all members have identifiable numbers, and there will be no effort to assign same. Some numbers have been issued twice, others with some large gap from the last sequential number. These should both be are being remedied as circumstances permit, with suitable notations added found by adding a suffix letter to the Master Rosterdistinguish them.
At present, the only use for Membership Numbers is to include them on the [[Certificate]] of Membership and the [[Membership Card]].