Social Security as a Genealogy Tool
- Leslie Ryan
- Dec 5, 2024
- 2 min read
Social Security was enacted in 1935 as a retirement program for the main earner of a family, so, in other words, the husband. It also contained the first national unemployment compensation program, aid to the states for various health and welfare programs, and the Aid to Dependent Children program. The first Social Security numbers were issued in 1936.
In 1939 the original law was changed to add survivors benefits and benefits for the retiree's spouse and children. In 1956 disability benefits were added.
Genealogists have long used the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) as a tool to verify dates of birth and death of their ancestors. For most years since 1973, the SSDI has death information for over 90% of decedents over the age of 65, if they had a social security number. As of 2011, the index had over 89 million records!
The SSDI is searchable at all subscription genealogy sites, and for free at FamilySearch.
In 2014 access to the deaths data has been severely restricted to protect privacy rights and identities of the survivors. How many of us have answered the Security Question of Mother's Maiden Name? I bet most of us!
Did you know about the other big database called NUMIDENT? It is a National Archives database containing various items collected from Social Security between 1936 thru 2007, including applications for benefits other than death! FamilySearch has a great search system set up combining all of the records! Here is a link to the info page: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States,_Social_Security_Numerical_Identification_Files_(NUMIDENT)_-_FamilySearch_Historical_Records
I just found a NUMIDENT record that one of my grandmothers filed for benefits in 1959! Her husband didn't die until 1965, but as they ran their own business when he became too ill to work full time, she may have needed some assistance. These records can include mother's maiden names as well if it was on their SS Number application.
Only three weeks to go to till Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanza! Where has the year gone?
If I can help with your brick wall or holiday gifting, please send me an email!
Happy Holidays!
Leslie Ryan
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