diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/base.py b/gramps/gen/db/base.py
index 12e44233e..f3a91453d 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/base.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/base.py
@@ -605,12 +605,15 @@ class DbReadBase:
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Citation in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Citation title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Citation title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
@@ -624,24 +627,30 @@ class DbReadBase:
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Family in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
 
         .. warning:: For speed the keys are directly returned, so handles are
                      bytes type
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Media in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
 
         .. warning:: For speed the keys are directly returned, so handles are
                      bytes type
@@ -658,24 +667,30 @@ class DbReadBase:
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Person in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
 
         .. warning:: For speed the keys are directly returned, so handles are
                      bytes type
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Place in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Place title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Place title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
 
         .. warning:: For speed the keys are directly returned, so handles are
                      bytes type
@@ -692,24 +707,30 @@ class DbReadBase:
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Source in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Source title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Source title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
 
         .. warning:: For speed the keys are directly returned, so handles are
                      bytes type
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Tag in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Tag name.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Tag name.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
 
         .. warning:: For speed the keys are directly returned, so handles are
                      bytes type
diff --git a/gramps/gen/db/dummydb.py b/gramps/gen/db/dummydb.py
index ebdf0c37e..93f408a98 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/db/dummydb.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/db/dummydb.py
@@ -68,6 +68,7 @@ from .dbconst import DBLOGNAME
 from ..errors import HandleError
 from ..utils.callback import Callback
 from ..lib import Researcher
+from ..const import GRAMPS_LOCALE as glocale
 
 LOG = logging.getLogger(DBLOGNAME)
 
@@ -531,12 +532,15 @@ class DummyDb(M_A_M_B("NewBaseClass", (DbReadBase, Callback, object,), {})):
         LOG.warning("handle %s does not exist in the dummy database", handle)
         raise HandleError('Handle %s not found' % handle)
 
-    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Family in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if not self.db_is_open:
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
@@ -584,12 +588,15 @@ class DummyDb(M_A_M_B("NewBaseClass", (DbReadBase, Callback, object,), {})):
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
         return []
 
-    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Media in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if not self.db_is_open:
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
@@ -834,12 +841,15 @@ class DummyDb(M_A_M_B("NewBaseClass", (DbReadBase, Callback, object,), {})):
         LOG.warning("handle %s does not exist in the dummy database", handle)
         raise HandleError('Handle %s not found' % handle)
 
-    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Person in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if not self.db_is_open:
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
@@ -892,12 +902,15 @@ class DummyDb(M_A_M_B("NewBaseClass", (DbReadBase, Callback, object,), {})):
         LOG.warning("handle %s does not exist in the dummy database", handle)
         raise HandleError('Handle %s not found' % handle)
 
-    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Place in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Place title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Place title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if not self.db_is_open:
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
@@ -1102,12 +1115,15 @@ class DummyDb(M_A_M_B("NewBaseClass", (DbReadBase, Callback, object,), {})):
         LOG.warning("handle %s does not exist in the dummy database", handle)
         raise HandleError('Handle %s not found' % handle)
 
-    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Source in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Source title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Source title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if not self.db_is_open:
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
@@ -1160,12 +1176,15 @@ class DummyDb(M_A_M_B("NewBaseClass", (DbReadBase, Callback, object,), {})):
         LOG.warning("handle %s does not exist in the dummy database", handle)
         raise HandleError('Handle %s not found' % handle)
 
-    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Citation in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Citation title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Citation title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if not self.db_is_open:
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
@@ -1209,12 +1228,15 @@ class DummyDb(M_A_M_B("NewBaseClass", (DbReadBase, Callback, object,), {})):
         LOG.warning("tag name %s does not exist in the dummy database", val)
         return None
 
-    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Tag in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Tag name.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Tag name.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if not self.db_is_open:
             LOG.warning("database is closed")
diff --git a/gramps/gen/proxy/filter.py b/gramps/gen/proxy/filter.py
index b3a35a456..2b10a71a8 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/proxy/filter.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/proxy/filter.py
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ Proxy class for the Gramps databases. Apply filter
 from .proxybase import ProxyDbBase
 from ..lib import (Date, Person, Name, Surname, NameOriginType, Family, Source,
                    Citation, Event, Media, Place, Repository, Note, Tag)
+from ..const import GRAMPS_LOCALE as glocale
 
 class FilterProxyDb(ProxyDbBase):
     """
@@ -385,10 +386,15 @@ class FilterProxyDb(ProxyDbBase):
         else:
             return None
 
-    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Person in
-        the database. If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames
+        the database.
+
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         # FIXME: plist is not a sorted list of handles
         return list(self.plist)
@@ -426,10 +432,15 @@ class FilterProxyDb(ProxyDbBase):
         """
         return map(self.get_event_from_handle, self.elist)
 
-    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Family in
-        the database. If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames
+        the database.
+
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         # FIXME: flist is not a sorted list of handles
         return list(self.flist)
diff --git a/gramps/gen/proxy/proxybase.py b/gramps/gen/proxy/proxybase.py
index a2d3009f1..362a8a1b6 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/proxy/proxybase.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/proxy/proxybase.py
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ import types
 from ..db.base import DbReadBase, DbWriteBase
 from ..lib import (Citation, Event, Family, Media, Note, Person, Place,
                    Repository, Source, Tag)
+from ..const import GRAMPS_LOCALE as glocale
 
 class ProxyCursor:
     """
@@ -199,26 +200,28 @@ class ProxyDbBase(DbReadBase):
         return ProxyCursor(self.get_raw_tag_data,
                            self.get_tag_handles)
 
-    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Person in
         the database. If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames
         """
         if (self.db is not None) and self.db.is_open():
             proxied = set(self.iter_person_handles())
-            all = self.basedb.get_person_handles(sort_handles=sort_handles)
+            all = self.basedb.get_person_handles(sort_handles=sort_handles,
+                                                 locale=locale)
             return [hdl for hdl in all if hdl in proxied]
         else:
             return []
 
-    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Family in
         the database. If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames
         """
         if (self.db is not None) and self.db.is_open():
             proxied = set(self.iter_family_handles())
-            all = self.basedb.get_family_handles(sort_handles=sort_handles)
+            all = self.basedb.get_family_handles(sort_handles=sort_handles,
+                                                 locale=locale)
             return [hdl for hdl in all if hdl in proxied]
         else:
             return []
@@ -233,7 +236,7 @@ class ProxyDbBase(DbReadBase):
         else:
             return []
 
-    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Source in
         the database.
@@ -243,7 +246,7 @@ class ProxyDbBase(DbReadBase):
         else:
             return []
 
-    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Citation in
         the database.
@@ -253,7 +256,7 @@ class ProxyDbBase(DbReadBase):
         else:
             return []
 
-    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Place in
         the database.
@@ -263,7 +266,7 @@ class ProxyDbBase(DbReadBase):
         else:
             return []
 
-    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Media in
         the database.
@@ -293,7 +296,7 @@ class ProxyDbBase(DbReadBase):
         else:
             return []
 
-    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Tag in
         the database.
diff --git a/gramps/gen/utils/grampslocale.py b/gramps/gen/utils/grampslocale.py
index ecc00f6a0..4741ef70d 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/utils/grampslocale.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/utils/grampslocale.py
@@ -935,6 +935,12 @@ class GrampsLocale:
                 return string
             return key
 
+    def get_collation(self):
+        """
+        Return the collation without any character encoding.
+        """
+        return self.collation.split('.')[0]
+
     def strcoll(self, string1, string2):
         """
         Given two localized strings, compare them and return -1 if
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/db/bsddb/read.py b/gramps/plugins/db/bsddb/read.py
index 61d5b43f4..9e4beb255 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/db/bsddb/read.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/db/bsddb/read.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import os
 from sys import maxsize
 from operator import itemgetter
 import ast
+from functools import partial
 
 try:
     from bsddb3 import db
@@ -1024,7 +1025,7 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         """
         return [key.decode('utf-8') for key in table.keys(txn=self.txn)]
 
-    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Person in
         the database.
@@ -1034,11 +1035,12 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if self.db_is_open:
             handle_list = self._all_handles(self.person_map)
             if sort_handles:
-                handle_list.sort(key=self.__sortbyperson_key)
+                handle_list.sort(key=partial(self.__sortbyperson_key,
+                                             locale=locale))
             return handle_list
         return []
 
-    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Place in
         the database.
@@ -1049,11 +1051,12 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if self.db_is_open:
             handle_list = self._all_handles(self.place_map)
             if sort_handles:
-                handle_list.sort(key=self.__sortbyplace_key)
+                handle_list.sort(key=partial(self.__sortbyplace_key,
+                                             locale=locale))
             return handle_list
         return []
 
-    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Source in
         the database.
@@ -1063,11 +1066,12 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if self.db_is_open:
             handle_list = self._all_handles(self.source_map)
             if sort_handles:
-                handle_list.sort(key=self.__sortbysource_key)
+                handle_list.sort(key=partial(self.__sortbysource_key,
+                                             locale=locale))
             return handle_list
         return []
 
-    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Citation in
         the database.
@@ -1077,11 +1081,12 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if self.db_is_open:
             handle_list = self._all_handles(self.citation_map)
             if sort_handles:
-                handle_list.sort(key=self.__sortbycitation_key)
+                handle_list.sort(key=partial(self.__sortbycitation_key,
+                                             locale=locale))
             return handle_list
         return []
 
-    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Media in
         the database.
@@ -1091,7 +1096,8 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if self.db_is_open:
             handle_list = self._all_handles(self.media_map)
             if sort_handles:
-                handle_list.sort(key=self.__sortbymedia_key)
+                handle_list.sort(key=partial(self.__sortbymedia_key,
+                                             locale=locale))
             return handle_list
         return []
 
@@ -1104,7 +1110,7 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
             return self._all_handles(self.event_map)
         return []
 
-    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Family in
         the database.
@@ -1114,7 +1120,8 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if self.db_is_open:
             handle_list = self._all_handles(self.family_map)
             if sort_handles:
-                handle_list.sort(key=self.__sortbyfamily_key)
+                handle_list.sort(key=partial(self.__sortbyfamily_key,
+                                             locale=locale))
             return handle_list
         return []
 
@@ -1136,7 +1143,7 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
             return self._all_handles(self.note_map)
         return []
 
-    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Tag in
         the database.
@@ -1146,7 +1153,8 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         if self.db_is_open:
             handle_list = self._all_handles(self.tag_map)
             if sort_handles:
-                handle_list.sort(key=self.__sortbytag_key)
+                handle_list.sort(key=partial(self.__sortbytag_key,
+                                             locale=locale))
             return handle_list
         return []
 
@@ -1774,24 +1782,24 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         """
         return self.__has_gramps_id(self.cid_trans, gramps_id)
 
-    def __sortbyperson_key(self, handle):
+    def __sortbyperson_key(self, handle, locale=glocale):
         handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
-        return glocale.sort_key(find_fullname(handle,
-                                              self.person_map.get(handle)))
+        return locale.sort_key(find_fullname(handle,
+                                             self.person_map.get(handle)))
 
-    def __sortbyfamily_key(self, handle):
+    def __sortbyfamily_key(self, handle, locale=glocale):
         handle = handle.encode('utf-8')
         data = self.family_map.get(handle)
         data2 = data[2]
         data3 = data[3]
         if data2: # father handle
             data2 = data2.encode('utf-8')
-            return glocale.sort_key(find_fullname(data2,
-                                    self.person_map.get(data2)))
+            return locale.sort_key(find_fullname(data2,
+                                   self.person_map.get(data2)))
         elif data3: # mother handle
             data3 = data3.encode('utf-8')
-            return glocale.sort_key(find_fullname(data3,
-                                    self.person_map.get(data3)))
+            return locale.sort_key(find_fullname(data3,
+                                   self.person_map.get(data3)))
         return ''
 
     def __sortbyplace(self, first, second):
@@ -1800,9 +1808,9 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         return glocale.strcoll(self.place_map.get(first)[2],
                               self.place_map.get(second)[2])
 
-    def __sortbyplace_key(self, place):
+    def __sortbyplace_key(self, place, locale=glocale):
         place = place.encode('utf-8')
-        return glocale.sort_key(self.place_map.get(place)[2])
+        return locale.sort_key(self.place_map.get(place)[2])
 
     def __sortbysource(self, first, second):
         first = first.encode('utf-8')
@@ -1811,10 +1819,10 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         source2 = str(self.source_map[second][2])
         return glocale.strcoll(source1, source2)
 
-    def __sortbysource_key(self, key):
+    def __sortbysource_key(self, key, locale=glocale):
         key = key.encode('utf-8')
         source = str(self.source_map[key][2])
-        return glocale.sort_key(source)
+        return locale.sort_key(source)
 
     def __sortbycitation(self, first, second):
         first = first.encode('utf-8')
@@ -1823,10 +1831,10 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         citation2 = str(self.citation_map[second][3])
         return glocale.strcoll(citation1, citation2)
 
-    def __sortbycitation_key(self, key):
+    def __sortbycitation_key(self, key, locale=glocale):
         key = key.encode('utf-8')
         citation = str(self.citation_map[key][3])
-        return glocale.sort_key(citation)
+        return locale.sort_key(citation)
 
     def __sortbymedia(self, first, second):
         first = first.encode('utf-8')
@@ -1835,10 +1843,10 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         media2 = self.media_map[second][4]
         return glocale.strcoll(media1, media2)
 
-    def __sortbymedia_key(self, key):
+    def __sortbymedia_key(self, key, locale=glocale):
         key = key.encode('utf-8')
         media = self.media_map[key][4]
-        return glocale.sort_key(media)
+        return locale.sort_key(media)
 
     def __sortbytag(self, first, second):
         first = first.encode('utf-8')
@@ -1847,10 +1855,10 @@ class DbBsddbRead(DbReadBase, Callback):
         tag2 = self.tag_map[second][1]
         return glocale.strcoll(tag1, tag2)
 
-    def __sortbytag_key(self, key):
+    def __sortbytag_key(self, key, locale=glocale):
         key = key.encode('utf-8')
         tag = self.tag_map[key][1]
-        return glocale.sort_key(tag)
+        return locale.sort_key(tag)
 
     def set_mediapath(self, path):
         """Set the default media path for database."""
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py
index 56f9e9715..d7a0b0799 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/dbapi.py
@@ -401,44 +401,57 @@ class DBAPI(DbGeneric):
         else:
             return key
 
-    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_person_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Person in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if sort_handles:
-            self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM person "
-                               "ORDER BY surname COLLATE glocale")
+            if locale != glocale:
+                self.dbapi.check_collation(locale)
+
+            self.dbapi.execute('SELECT handle FROM person '
+                               'ORDER BY surname '
+                               'COLLATE "%s"' % locale.get_collation())
         else:
             self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM person")
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
         return [row[0] for row in rows]
 
-    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_family_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Family in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by surnames.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if sort_handles:
-            sql = ("SELECT family.handle " +
-                   "FROM family " +
-                   "LEFT JOIN person AS father " +
-                   "ON family.father_handle = father.handle " +
-                   "LEFT JOIN person AS mother " +
-                   "ON family.mother_handle = mother.handle " +
-                   "ORDER BY (CASE WHEN father.handle IS NULL " +
-                   "THEN mother.surname " +
-                   "ELSE father.surname " +
-                   "END), " +
-                   "(CASE WHEN family.handle IS NULL " +
-                   "THEN mother.given_name " +
-                   "ELSE father.given_name " +
-                   "END) " +
-                   "COLLATE glocale")
+            if locale != glocale:
+                self.dbapi.check_collation(locale)
+
+            sql = ('SELECT family.handle ' +
+                   'FROM family ' +
+                   'LEFT JOIN person AS father ' +
+                   'ON family.father_handle = father.handle ' +
+                   'LEFT JOIN person AS mother ' +
+                   'ON family.mother_handle = mother.handle ' +
+                   'ORDER BY (CASE WHEN father.handle IS NULL ' +
+                   'THEN mother.surname ' +
+                   'ELSE father.surname ' +
+                   'END), ' +
+                   '(CASE WHEN family.handle IS NULL ' +
+                   'THEN mother.given_name ' +
+                   'ELSE father.given_name ' +
+                   'END) ' +
+                   'COLLATE "%s"' % locale.get_collation())
             self.dbapi.execute(sql)
         else:
             self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM family")
@@ -454,46 +467,67 @@ class DBAPI(DbGeneric):
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
         return [row[0] for row in rows]
 
-    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_citation_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Citation in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Citation title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Citation title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if sort_handles:
-            self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM citation "
-                               "ORDER BY page COLLATE glocale")
+            if locale != glocale:
+                self.dbapi.check_collation(locale)
+
+            self.dbapi.execute('SELECT handle FROM citation '
+                               'ORDER BY page '
+                               'COLLATE "%s"' % locale.get_collation())
         else:
             self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM citation")
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
         return [row[0] for row in rows]
 
-    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_source_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Source in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Source title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Source title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if sort_handles:
-            self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM source "
-                               "ORDER BY title COLLATE glocale")
+            if locale != glocale:
+                self.dbapi.check_collation(locale)
+
+            self.dbapi.execute('SELECT handle FROM source '
+                               'ORDER BY title '
+                               'COLLATE "%s"' % locale.get_collation())
         else:
             self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle from source")
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
         return [row[0] for row in rows]
 
-    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_place_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Place in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Place title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Place title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if sort_handles:
-            self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM place "
-                               "ORDER BY title COLLATE glocale")
+            if locale != glocale:
+                self.dbapi.check_collation(locale)
+
+            self.dbapi.execute('SELECT handle FROM place '
+                               'ORDER BY title '
+                               'COLLATE "%s"' % locale.get_collation())
         else:
             self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM place")
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
@@ -508,16 +542,23 @@ class DBAPI(DbGeneric):
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
         return [row[0] for row in rows]
 
-    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_media_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Media in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by title.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by title.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if sort_handles:
-            self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM media "
-                               "ORDER BY desc COLLATE glocale")
+            if locale != glocale:
+                self.dbapi.check_collation(locale)
+
+            self.dbapi.execute('SELECT handle FROM media '
+                               'ORDER BY desc '
+                               'COLLATE "%s"' % locale.get_collation())
         else:
             self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM media")
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
@@ -532,16 +573,23 @@ class DBAPI(DbGeneric):
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
         return [row[0] for row in rows]
 
-    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False):
+    def get_tag_handles(self, sort_handles=False, locale=glocale):
         """
         Return a list of database handles, one handle for each Tag in
         the database.
 
-        If sort_handles is True, the list is sorted by Tag name.
+        :param sort_handles: If True, the list is sorted by Tag name.
+        :type sort_handles: bool
+        :param locale: The locale to use for collation.
+        :type locale: A GrampsLocale object.
         """
         if sort_handles:
-            self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM tag "
-                               "ORDER BY name COLLATE glocale")
+            if locale != glocale:
+                self.dbapi.check_collation(locale)
+
+            self.dbapi.execute('SELECT handle FROM tag '
+                               'ORDER BY name '
+                               'COLLATE "%s"' % locale.get_collation())
         else:
             self.dbapi.execute("SELECT handle FROM tag")
         rows = self.dbapi.fetchall()
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/postgresql.py b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/postgresql.py
index 95246e9eb..63019b13a 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/postgresql.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/postgresql.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 import psycopg2
 import re
-import os
 
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
@@ -34,6 +33,7 @@ import os
 #
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 from gramps.gen.db.dbconst import ARRAYSIZE
+from gramps.gen.const import GRAMPS_LOCALE as glocale
 
 psycopg2.paramstyle = 'format'
 
@@ -57,9 +57,24 @@ class Postgresql:
         self.__connection = psycopg2.connect(*args, **kwargs)
         self.__connection.autocommit = True
         self.__cursor = self.__connection.cursor()
-        locale = os.environ.get('LANG', 'en_US.utf8')
-        self.execute("DROP COLLATION IF EXISTS glocale")
-        self.execute("CREATE COLLATION glocale (LOCALE = '%s')" % locale)
+        self.check_collation(glocale)
+
+    def check_collation(self, locale):
+        """
+        Checks that a collation exists and if not creates it.
+
+        :param locale: Locale to be checked.
+        :param type: A GrampsLocale object.
+        """
+        # Duplicating system collations works, but to delete them the schema
+        # must be specified, so get the current schema
+        self.execute('SELECT current_schema()')
+        current_schema, = self.fetchone()
+        collation = locale.get_collation()
+        self.execute('DROP COLLATION IF EXISTS "%s"."%s"'
+                     % (current_schema, collation))
+        self.execute('CREATE COLLATION "%s"'
+                     "(LOCALE = '%s')" % (collation, locale.collation))
 
     def _hack_query(self, query):
         query = query.replace("?", "%s")
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/sqlite.py b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/sqlite.py
index 954301714..5a4a0e934 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/sqlite.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/db/dbapi/sqlite.py
@@ -83,8 +83,20 @@ class Sqlite:
         self.log = logging.getLogger(".sqlite")
         self.__connection = sqlite3.connect(*args, **kwargs)
         self.__cursor = self.__connection.cursor()
-        self.__connection.create_collation("glocale", glocale.strcoll)
         self.__connection.create_function("regexp", 2, regexp)
+        self.__collations = []
+        self.check_collation(glocale)
+
+    def check_collation(self, locale):
+        """
+        Checks that a collation exists and if not creates it.
+
+        :param locale: Locale to be checked.
+        :param type: A GrampsLocale object.
+        """
+        collation = locale.get_collation()
+        if collation not in self.__collations:
+            self.__connection.create_collation(collation, locale.strcoll)
 
     def execute(self, *args, **kwargs):
         """
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/textreport/familygroup.py b/gramps/plugins/textreport/familygroup.py
index 50b7b3b1e..7455d0bf3 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/textreport/familygroup.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/textreport/familygroup.py
@@ -660,7 +660,8 @@ class FamilyGroup(Report):
                         self.dump_family(child_family_handle, (generation+1))
 
     def write_report(self):
-        flist = self.db.get_family_handles(sort_handles=True)
+        flist = self.db.get_family_handles(sort_handles=True,
+                                           locale=self._locale)
         if not self.filter:
             fam_list = flist
         else:
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/textreport/indivcomplete.py b/gramps/plugins/textreport/indivcomplete.py
index 5314142fd..c3b030f4f 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/textreport/indivcomplete.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/textreport/indivcomplete.py
@@ -815,7 +815,8 @@ class IndivCompleteReport(Report):
 
     def write_report(self):
         """ write the report """
-        plist = self._db.get_person_handles(sort_handles=True)
+        plist = self._db.get_person_handles(sort_handles=True,
+                                            locale=self._locale)
         if self.filter:
             ind_list = self.filter.apply(self._db, plist, user=self._user)
         else:
diff --git a/gramps/plugins/textreport/tagreport.py b/gramps/plugins/textreport/tagreport.py
index 9fbc8972f..495467bf5 100644
--- a/gramps/plugins/textreport/tagreport.py
+++ b/gramps/plugins/textreport/tagreport.py
@@ -542,7 +542,8 @@ class TagReport(Report):
 
     def write_media(self):
         """ write the media associated with the tag """
-        mlist = self.database.get_media_handles(sort_handles=True)
+        mlist = self.database.get_media_handles(sort_handles=True,
+                                                locale=self._locale)
         filter_class = GenericFilterFactory('Media')
         a_filter = filter_class()
         a_filter.add_rule(rules.media.HasTag([self.tag]))
@@ -711,7 +712,8 @@ class TagReport(Report):
 
     def write_sources(self):
         """ write the sources associated with the tag """
-        slist = self.database.get_source_handles(sort_handles=True)
+        slist = self.database.get_source_handles(sort_handles=True,
+                                                 locale=self._locale)
         filter_class = GenericFilterFactory('Source')
         a_filter = filter_class()
         a_filter.add_rule(rules.source.HasTag([self.tag]))
@@ -791,7 +793,8 @@ class TagReport(Report):
 
     def write_citations(self):
         """ write the citations associated with the tag """
-        clist = self.database.get_citation_handles(sort_handles=True)
+        clist = self.database.get_citation_handles(sort_handles=True,
+                                                   locale=self._locale)
         filter_class = GenericFilterFactory('Citation')
         a_filter = filter_class()
         a_filter.add_rule(rules.citation.HasTag([self.tag]))