On Thu, 07 Mar 2002 17:13:46 -0500, George wrote: <snip> > The numident print-out is an official record of the information we have > in our records. You presented some of this information when you applied > for a Social Security card. Only coded items which contain information > will appear on the record. If there is no information on our records for > a particular item, the item will not be shown.. > > So it appears that my grandmother did not provide the names of her > parents when she applied for her card and that is what I was most > anxious to obtain. As a genealogist, you cannot rely on their boilerplate statement that all information on the SS-5 was coded into the computer. (And in fact they don't actually say that, only imply it.) Names of parents are not of great importance insofar as the primary functions of the SSA are concerned and may well have been omitted at some times and places as an expediency. The only way to be sure is to risk your $27 and get a copy of the original.