Genealogy Chat

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Often when a researcher comes across a US citizens Social Security Number - which can be found upon one's death in the Social Security Death Index - they don't realize the genealogy information that can be had from obtaining that number. All working US citizens, starting in 1936, had to fill out an application, listing personal information, to obtain thier Social Security number. A widow, or widower, could also collect benefits, under a spouces name. Now a days, not only are working citizens required to have a Social Security Number, but ALL citizens are required to have one, which is issued at time of birth, prior to them leaving the hospital. The Social Security Death Index explains the benefit of obtaining ones SS number information better than I: A GUIDE TO USING SSDI One of the largest and easiest to access databases used for genealogical research is the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Its information can be utilized to help you learn more about your ancestors, as well as your aunts, uncles and cousins. Clues and facts from the SSDI often can be used to further genealogical research by enabling you to locate a death certificate, find an obituary, discover cemetery records and track down probate records. As marvelous a finding aid as it is, the SSDI does not include the names of everyone, even if they had a Social Security number (SNN). If relatives or the funeral home did not report the death to the Social Security Administration, or if the individual died before 1962 (when the records were computerized) then they probably will not appear in this database. The omission of an individual in this index does not indicate the person is still living. It simply means that there was no report of the person's death to Social Security Administration. When using the Social Security Death Index, in addition to the date of birth and date of death, there are three possible places included as well: State of issuance (where a person then lived and applied or the state in which the office that issued their social security number was located). Residence at time of death (this is really the address of record, but not necessarily where they lived or died). Death benefit (where the lump sum death benefit [burial allowance] was sent). According to the Social Security Administration (SSA): The nine-digit SSN is composed of three parts: The first set of three digits is called the Area Number The second set of two digits is called the Group Number The final set of four digits is the Serial Number Area Number The Area Number is assigned by the geographical region. Prior to 1972, cards were issued in local Social Security offices around the country and the Area Number represented the state in which the card was issued. This did not necessarily have to be the state where the applicant lived, since a person could apply for their card in any Social Security office. Since 1972, when SSA began assigning SSNs and issuing cards centrally from Baltimore, the area number assigned has been based on the ZIP code in the mailing address provided on the application for the original Social Security card. The applicant's mailing address does not have to be the same as their place of residence. Thus, the Area Number does not necessarily represent the state of residence of the applicant, either prior to 1972 or since. Generally, numbers were assigned beginning in the Northeast and moving westward. So people whose cards were issued in the East Coast states have the lowest numbers and those on the West Coast have the highest numbers. (Complete list of the geographical number assignments.) By SSA. The state of issuance (this is not necessarily the state of residence at the time of issuance) can be verified by looking at the Social Security number itself. The next two digits of the number are a code used to track fraudulent numbers. The last four digits are randomly assigned. ** If you want to search the Social Security Death Index (which is free) you'll find it at: http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb(.)com/ Remember to remove the ( ) from the address! There is a form on this site that you can fill in and send for the information. There is also a neat feature POST EM, where you can leave a message and contact information if you wish to have others who are researching this person, contact you. Happy Hunting!