diff --git a/src/gen/display/name.py b/src/gen/display/name.py
index c7e784a5c..169de4f04 100644
--- a/src/gen/display/name.py
+++ b/src/gen/display/name.py
@@ -494,6 +494,10 @@ def fn(%s):
     
     #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+    # this method will be deleted in the next release.
+    def sort_string(self, name):
+        return u"%-25s%-30s%s" % (name.surname, name.first_name, name.suffix)
+
     def sorted(self, person):
         """
         Return a text string representing the L{gen.lib.Person} instance's