Death Index Alive With Information

One terrific genealogy source is often overlooked: The Social Security Death Index. Researchers look at it and wonder: what is this and how would it help?

It might be better understood if it were titled the Death Benefits Index.

It’s an index of nearly 40 million deceased folks who had Social Security numbers and whose deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration because they had drawn some kind of benefit.

The index mainly covers deaths between 1962 and December 1988. But some records are as early as 1937 and as late as the first few months of 1989. New supplements will bring this index up to date.

The Social Security Act was passed in 1937. Let’s say your grandmother, born in 1895, signed up in 1940 and lived another 35 years, dying in 1975. Assuming she drew benefits, she would be in the index even though she was born in the previous century. (It’s not necessary to know your ancestor’s Social Security number.)

Another plus for this index is to learn if your long-lost uncle or friend is dead.

The index can help locate birth and death dates, identify your ancestor’s last place of residence, which may help you obtain a death certificate, identify where your ancestor lived when he or she was issued a Social Security number and identify that number.

The index does not contain information about the person’s spouse, parents or children, birthplace or data on living relatives. And, it will not help you locate a married woman if all you know is her maiden name.

The U.S. Social Security Death Index is part of the FamilySearch computer program, available for use at Family History Centers. It’s easy to use: just type in the name. And, if you ask, the center will give you a four-page guide to the index.

Some other ways genealogists can make use of Social Security Administration records is to request a photocopy of the actual record your ancestor filled out when he or she enrolled, or request the letter-forwarding service. The office won’t divulge addresses but will forward your letter if you’re trying to contact a long-lost uncle or fiend.

To learn more about Social Security records, what and where they are, order a copy of Genealogy Bulletin 15, Jul-Aug-Sep 1992, from American Genealogy Lending Library, P.O. Box 329, Bountiful, UT 84011, or call (800) 760-AGLL. It contains Bill Dollarhide’s excellent article on this subject.

Another source is the Social Security application booklet: A Genealogical Resource, by Desmond Allen and Carolyn Billingsley, for $5.50, postpaid, from Research Associates, P.O. Box 122, Bryant, AR 72022. It explains how to find a Social Security number, obtain a copy of the SS-5 form, railroad retirement, letter-forwarding service …

On a lighter - but related - note, did you realize the first three digits of Social Security numbers indicate the state of enrollment? And, since most sign up when they’re young, it might well be the state of birth. However, that rule of thumb doesn’t always work: My number begins 532, which sure enough is Washington - but I was born in Michigan.

The March 1 meeting of the Eastern Washington Genealogy Society - “Meeting Your Board and Committees” - begins at 1 p.m. in the downtown Spokane Library. All genealogists are welcomed.

, DataTimes MEMO: Donna Potter Phillips welcomes letters from readers. Write to her at The Spokesman-Review, Features Department, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210. For a response, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Donna Potter Phillips The Spokesman-Review