Genealogy Blog Family History

Social security death index updatedPosted by Administrator on October 26th, 2005

The Death Master File (DMF) from the Social Security Administration (SSA) currently contains over 76 million records. The current update reflects the latest information provided by the SSA as of September 2005. The file is created from internal SSA records of deceased persons possessing social security numbers and whose deaths were reported to the SSA. Often this was done in connection with filing for death benefits by a family member, an attorney, a mortuary, etc. Each update of the DMF includes corrections to old data as well as additional names. [NOTE: If someone is missing from the list, it may be that the benefit was never requested, an error was made on the form requesting the benefit, or an error was made when entering the information into the SSDI.]

Extended Description:
This file includes the following information on each decedent, if the data is available to the SSA:

• Last name
• First name
• Social Security Number
• State issued
• Birth date
• Death date
• Last residence
• Lump sum payment

The absence of a particular person in the SSDI is not proof this person is alive. Additionally, there is a possibility that incorrect records of death have been entered on the DMF. The Social Security Administration does not guarantee the accuracy of the file.

SEARCHING TIPS

When you know the information, be as specific as possible to avoid a large of hits. (Large can be somewhere over a couple hundred or so.) If you are unable to find someone you are looking for, here are some things to try:

• Change dates around (e.g. instead of searching for 5 Oct 1954 [10/5/54], search for 10 May 1954 [5/10/54])
• Change years around (e.g. 1984 becomes 1948)
• Use all other possible spellings of the name (and perhaps some that aren’t so likely)
• Switch last name and first name around
• Try searching for a middle name as a first name
• Even if you know a piece of information, try omitting it (e.g. if you know first and last name and death date, try leaving off the first name).

Social Security Index A Useful Search Tool – by Vince SummersPosted by Administrator on September 30th, 2005

The Social Security Index (SSDI) is a great help when researching 1960s forward.
Suppose you have the maiden name of a woman, and only a couple of bits of information, but not her married name. Can you find her husband on SSDI? Quite possibly:

In Craig County, Virginia, I showed a Ruba LEFFEL. She was born 9 January 1891. That was all that I had. Craig is a fairly small county. The time period was likely to be in the right range for a social security record, assuming she lived an average or slightly longer life.

I tried entering “Ruba and Craig County,” in the SSDI. Then I realized the name Ruba was likely a mis-transcription for Ruby. I took the plunge and entered Ruby and Craig County and the birth date. Got one!

Ruby OHMER. Could be her, might not be. I saw a zip code listed, and so tried again, simply entering the zip code and the surname OHMER. Two entries: Ruby and Herbert. Yes, I found dates, locations, etc., even the mate . . . maybe. Would this prove to be valid? I checked other resources, and found it was.

Not only that, but I found dozens of other bits of data on other persons using such search techniques on SSDI, in which I did NOT use the surname. I did this all in one session, on one day.

Not in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI)?Posted by Administrator on August 24th, 2005

Perhaps in your search for vital records, your deceased answer is not included in the SSDI? Maybe they died prior to 1962, or their death was not reported to the SSDI? It is still possible that they may have, at some time, applied for a Social Security Card? If they did, then you may be able to obtain a copy of their SS-5? The SS-5 forms were first introduced in 1936. You will need to provide the Social Security Administration with proof of death. For details refer…. … The Social Security Administration’s Guide to Freedom of Information Act Requests

Note: Social Security payments were first instituted around 1940. As a result the Social Security Administration has virtually no information about people who died prior to this time. The majority of the SSDI vital records cover the period 1962 to 1988. There are some entries of people who died between 1940 and 1961. This data base is a rich source of information for those involved in geneology.

(You will need to search state listings for death indexes for pre 1962 deaths.)