Addressing Yellow Letters

[Brian Pellerin]

What do you find to be the best method of addressing letters, given the complex name structures I find on my mailing lists? The goal is to get it opened and read, so I would think we need to clean it up.

For example, consider the following (fictitious) names:

1) LEMONS WALKER E & CAROLYN COX MUNROE
2) THOMAS MARTI LF EST CURTISS & M THOMAS LIV TR
3) BLANKENSHIP JOESEPH F & PATSY K BLANKENSHIP
4) ELLS JIM BOB & MARY ANN ELLS

How much effort do you put into demangling these names? What would a yellow letter writing company do with these? Especially, the 2nd is tricky. Here's what I think is right.... Note, this question is asking about the process more than these individual names.

1) Address both individuals (dropping middle names): Walker Lemons & Carolyn Munroe OR
1b) Address only one: Walker Lemons

2) Anything has to be better: Family of Martin Thomas OR
2b) Address main character: Martin Thomas

3) Simple, Combine: Joseph & Patsy Blankenship

4) Keep middle when name seems to be a combo: Jim Bob & Mary Ann Ells OR
4b) Simple Combination - Jim & Mary Ells

Thanks.

--brian