Using the Social Security Death Index for Genealogy Research

In 1962 the Social Security Administration (SSA) computerized the records of those people who have died while collecting SSA benefits. Also the death of anyone who had their death reported by family or whatever organization that might have reported their death to the SSA. This list of individuals has become known as the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). While there are a few pre-1962 deaths that are on this list, most are from 1962 to the present.

The SSDI is a very useful tool for genealogists who are looking for information about their ancestors. Many people who collected benefits early on were born before the registration of births was mandatory, had to prove when they were born to apply to the SSA. This was done through census, church, and employment records, as well as sworn affidavits of family and friends. The information found on the application is very useful as it is in the words of the applicant as well as in the writing of the applicant as well.

The Freedom of Information Act allows us to contact the the SSA and request a copy of our ancestors application. The application is called the SS-5 and has a wealth of information on it.
-First, Middle, (maiden), and Last name of applicant.
-Home address- state, city, and street
-Age at last birthday
-Date of Birth
-Place of birth- country, state, city, or province
-Sex
-Race
-Married, single, divorced, widowed
-Business name of present employer
-Address of business
-Fathers full name
-Mothers full name before marriage
-Date last full time job ended
-How applicant was paid- Hourly, salary, daily etc.
-Date of application
-Signature

The form used to request a copy of a persons SS-5 is called the SSA-711. If you had an ancestor who was working in 1937 they more likely than not filed out an SS-5 form. There is a fee that must be paid to receive a copy. You can request a copy of the original or a computer extract. The fee for an original copy is $27.00 if the SS number is supplied and $29.00 if no SS number is supplied. The fee for a computer extract is $16.00 if SS number is supplied and $18.00 if no SS number is supplied. You can mail the completed SSA-711 to:
SSA OEO DERO FOIA overnight: SSA OEO DERO FOIA
PO Box 33022 300 N. Greene st.
Baltimore, MD 21290-3022 Baltimore, MD 21290-0300

If you cannot find a SSA-711 form you can write to any Social Security field office. Be sure to include the full name of the person who you are requesting the information. Their date of death if known, full names of both parents, date of birth, or SS number. The more information you supply the more successful the search will be.

There are several websites where most of this information can be found for free. Ancestry.com has a link to the SSDI.
You can also get a pdf copy of the SSA-711 to make it easier to apply for the SS-5. The information found on the on line SSDI usually contains the name, date of birth, date of death, state of issuance, and last residence.

This database has been especially useful to me in verifying much of the information in my own genealogical research. I encourage anyone who needs to verify information or is new at doing genealogy research to explore this database. It is a simple tool to use and can pay off big in the information you can find.