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Social Security Death Index (SSDI): Difference between revisions
Social Security Death Index (SSDI) (view source)
Revision as of 15:11, 20 September 2010
, 20 September 2010Embelished some info from Research Guidance
Loisfowles (talk | contribs) (Copy part of Research Article to WIKI) |
(Embelished some info from Research Guidance) |
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Given the growing problem of identity theft and the importance of the Social Security Number as a personal identifier in the United States, it might seem unusual that these identifiers are released publicly. The principle involved is that living persons have a right to privacy which includes the right not to have their Social Security Number revealed, but once a person dies they lose their right to privacy and therefore the United States Department of Social Security can reveal their number and report their dates and places of birth and death. | Given the growing problem of identity theft and the importance of the Social Security Number as a personal identifier in the United States, it might seem unusual that these identifiers are released publicly. The principle involved is that living persons have a right to privacy which includes the right not to have their Social Security Number revealed, but once a person dies they lose their right to privacy and therefore the United States Department of Social Security can reveal their number and report their dates and places of birth and death. | ||
== Research | == Research Tips == | ||
=== Tip 1. What if I can't find my ancestor's name? === | === Tip 1. What if I can't find my ancestor's name? === | ||
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Before concluding that your ancestor's name is not in the index, consider the following: | Before concluding that your ancestor's name is not in the index, consider the following: | ||
*If you are looking for a married woman's name, remember it will most likely be listed under her last husband's surname, NOT her maiden name. If a woman was married more than once, check all married names. | |||
If you are looking for a married woman's name, remember it will most likely be listed under her last husband's surname, NOT her maiden name. If a woman was married more than once, check all married names. | |||
*The person may be listed with the first letter of his or her given name. | *The person may be listed with the first letter of his or her given name. | ||
*The person may have changed his or her given name or surname. | *The person may have changed his or her given name or surname. | ||
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*Middle names are not used. If a person was named John Albert Ernest Bolton and went by Ernest, look under John Bolton or use the initial J. Bolton. | *Middle names are not used. If a person was named John Albert Ernest Bolton and went by Ernest, look under John Bolton or use the initial J. Bolton. | ||
Note: If you do not find your ancestor on the first search, you may need to try all possibilities of the way the name could be listed. | Note: If you do not find your ancestor on the first search, you may need to try all possibilities of the way the name could be listed. | ||
=== Tip 2. Why isn't my ancestor's name in the file? === | === Tip 2. Why isn't my ancestor's name in the file? === | ||
The following reasons may help explain why not everyone is listed on the Social Security Death Index: | The following reasons may help explain why not everyone is listed on the Social Security Death Index: | ||
*The person did not receive a social security number. | *The person did not receive a social security number. This includes railroad and other employees not part of the Social Security system in the earlier years. | ||
*The survivors did not report the death to the Social Security Administration. | *The survivors did not report the death to the Social Security Administration. | ||
*An error was made in issuing or reporting the Social Security number. | *An error was made in issuing or reporting the Social Security number. | ||
*The person died before the Social Security Administration began computerizing their records. | *The person died before about 1962, when the Social Security Administration began computerizing their records in ernest. A few prior to 1962 are included. | ||
Question for experts: Did the SSDI start out only as an index to persons who died leaving a spouse to recieve the death benefit? [[User:AdkinsWH|AdkinsWH]] 21:11, 20 September 2010 (UTC) | |||
=== Tip 3. How can I send for information on an ancestor that was not in the Social Security Death Index? === | === Tip 3. How can I send for information on an ancestor that was not in the Social Security Death Index? === | ||
If you didn't find your deceased ancestor's name on the Social Security Death Index, you can still make a request for a photocopy of the SS-5 form | If you didn't find your deceased ancestor's name on the Social Security Death Index, you can still make a request for a photocopy of the SS-5 form. You will need to send the following information: | ||
*Full name. | *Full name. | ||
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Send the information and fee for the search to the following address:<br>Social Security Administration <br>P.O. Box 17772 <br>Baltimore, MD 21290 | Send the information and fee for the search to the following address:<br>Social Security Administration <br>P.O. Box 17772 <br>Baltimore, MD 21290 | ||
=== Tip 4. How can I find the Social Security number for my deceased ancestor if the name is not in the Index? === | === Tip 4. How can I find the Social Security number for my deceased ancestor if the name is not in the Index? === | ||
If you do not know the Social Security Number, you may be able to find it in other records, such as: | If you do not know the Social Security Number, you may be able to find it in other records, such as: | ||
*On a Death Certificate. | *On a Death Certificate. | ||
*In Funeral Home Records. | *In Funeral Home Records. | ||
*In personal papers (such as insurance papers, employment records, pay check stubs, and so forth). | *In personal papers (such as insurance papers, employment records, pay check stubs, and so forth). | ||
=== Tip 5. If I cannot find the Social Security number for my ancestor, can I still send for information? === | === Tip 5. If I cannot find the Social Security number for my ancestor, can I still send for information? === | ||
If you cannot find the Social Security Number, you may request a "records search" from the Social Security Administration. | If you cannot find the Social Security Number, you may request a "records search" from the Social Security Administration. You need the following information: | ||
*Full name. | *Full name. | ||
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Send the information and fee for search to the following address:<br>Social Security Administration <br>P.O. Box 17772 <br>Baltimore, MD 21290 <br> | Send the information and fee for search to the following address:<br>Social Security Administration <br>P.O. Box 17772 <br>Baltimore, MD 21290 <br> | ||
== Sample of letter requesting Social Security SS-5 form == | == Sample of letter requesting Social Security SS-5 form == | ||