Cheryl singhals@erols.com writes: > The fee is based on the number of years you want searched ... and > they must be consecutive years -- you cannot ask for 1942, 1952 > and 1962. And, if memory serves, you have to start with the > death-date and go backward. The records available to be searched cover every year the deceased had a SS number from death back to first SS card. More accurately put, from last employment back to first day he worked using his new new SS number/card. Interestingly, it was discovered that quite a few folks had acquired over the years more than one SS number. I never encountered individuals who wished only, say, the past ten years searched, but I don't see why that could not be requested. The folks I encountered knew nothing about the background of the relative and needed all the information available. Since this discussion has come up, I wonder if it may also be useful to some folks to know that in some specific cases, SSA will forward a letter to an individual with whom one needs contact. The searched for individual receives the letter with a cover letter from SSA. That recipient may or may not at his option choose to reply. No data about that individual will be revealed by SSA unless that individual has died. In that case SSA will so inform the sender of the letter of inquiry. A few examples of this means of attempting to locate a living individual are: 1) missing heirs; 2) need to notify individual of a death in the family, but do not know where the individual lives; 3) urgent need to learn medical history of a living individual. As of 1997, there was no charge for this service. Fran powell@closecall.com