----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeanine Reckinger" <jreck@ecenet.com> > You don't just get copies of whatever is in the file, you get only what > they have > committed to the computer, or at least that is all I got . . . it was one > page with no more > information than I had in the first place; however, many other people tell > me they have learned much more than I did. Jeanine, you must have ordered the computer extract for $16.00 (current cost). If you would have ordered the exact copy, you would have received a machine copy of the exact form your person wrote on (or typed) when they applied for their SSN. As far as other information, most of the claim information is destroyed about three years after the death of the person.

I was told that what I got was ALL that was available . . . and because it was the only time I ever ordered one, I was not impressed. I spoke with them on the phone, and I also emailed them, spoke with various people and was assured that I would get all that was in the file . . . well come to find out, apparently I did, it just wasn't anything more than I already knew!! What made it even worse is that I was getting it for a cousin Sweden who had asked for whatever information I could find, and was almost embarrassing that there was no hand written app with the information as I had been told there would be . . . it was after the fact that I called and emailed and was told SORRY, that's all we have!! Was definitely not worth the $16 that I paid for it as I gained nothing . . . but it was a lesson learned so will certainly ask more questions before ever doing that again!! Thanks for your input. I know that sometimes I have a sour answer because of not having a good experience, BUT others can have those same things happen to them, so best to be forewarned and forearmed as they say!! Jeanine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Bestrom" <RBestrom@earthlink.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 4:22 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Social Security Application - abt. 1940 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jeanine Reckinger" <jreck@ecenet.com> > >> You don't just get copies of whatever is in the file, you get only what >> they have >> committed to the computer, or at least that is all I got . . . it was one >> page with no more >> information than I had in the first place; however, many other people >> tell >> me they have learned much more than I did. > > Jeanine, you must have ordered the computer extract for $16.00 (current > cost). If you would have ordered the exact copy, you would have received > a > machine copy of the exact form your person wrote on (or typed) when they > applied for their SSN. > > As far as other information, most of the claim information is destroyed > about three years after the death of the person. > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Jeanine & Ron, So are you saying that even if I send for the exact form I won't get all the original information? I just need to have proof of where she was born and when - since I can't go by the different ages she gave on the census. I found no information that they ever lived in Bellville, IL where she claimed to be born and I'm only sure of the month and date that she used consistently. Any advice? Thanks, Virginia ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Bestrom" <RBestrom@earthlink.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 4:22 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Social Security Application - abt. 1940 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jeanine Reckinger" <jreck@ecenet.com> > >> You don't just get copies of whatever is in the file, you get only what >> they have >> committed to the computer, or at least that is all I got . . . it was one >> page with no more >> information than I had in the first place; however, many other people >> tell >> me they have learned much more than I did. > > Jeanine, you must have ordered the computer extract for $16.00 (current > cost). If you would have ordered the exact copy, you would have received > a > machine copy of the exact form your person wrote on (or typed) when they > applied for their SSN. > > As far as other information, most of the claim information is destroyed > about three years after the death of the person. > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message --- http://USFamily.Net/dialup.html - $8.25/mo! -- http://www.usfamily.net/dsl.html - $19.99/mo! ---

----- Original Message ----- From: "Virginia Patricelli" <virgpat@usfamily.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 4:57 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Social Security Application - abt. 1940 > Jeanine & Ron, So are you saying that even if I send for the exact form I > won't get all the original information? I just need to have proof of > where > she was born and when - since I can't go by the different ages she gave on > the census. I found no information that they ever lived in Bellville, IL > where she claimed to be born and I'm only sure of the month and date that > she used consistently. Any advice? > If you order just the computer extract, that is all you will get. An extract is just a computer printout of the information that is on the Form SS-5. If you just order the computer extract, that is ALL you will get. If you want a copy of the EXACT form submitted by the applicant and pay the $27.00, you will get a print out of the form. The forms themselves are "probably" on microfilm/microfiche and listed in order by Social Security Number (SSN). If you send for a copy of the exact form and it is there, all you will get is a copy of the original Form SS-5. They do not keep records of payments more than three years after the death of the insured. There is no additional original information kept. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is not a genealogy based agency. They ONLY keep a copy of the original application, or a computer extract of that information for a record of that SSN being issued and to whom. The so called "Social Security Death Index" is NOT a product of the SSA. It is the Death Master File produced by the SSA. It is sold to genealogy companies that put the data in their databases. You can order the database yourself, as well as the updates; but the cost would be very high. The SSA produces the Death Master File for the purpose of that information of DECEASED person SSN's to be available to banks and other financial institutions to verify SSN's being active. There are so many attempts to use deceased SSN's fraudulently by US citizens AND illegal aliens. The SSA also provides this database to the Internal Revenue Service to verify taxpayer identity and also to stop fraudulent tax returns from receiving payments. This list is also available to various other Governmental agencies to verify the identity of government employees, applicants, etc. The SSA does not keep ANY additional documents on file, i.e. birth certificates. This is, first, to avoid those documents themselves being used in fraudulent claims. Second, if they did hold such documents, they could not release them as under governmental rules, only the original holder of identification documents can release them. So, unless the person has died in the past three years, the only documents you can receive are: 1. A computer extract, just a type printed list of information on the SS-5 2. A copy of the exact SS-5 in the applicants own handwriting or typed, with their own signature. Again, good luck. Ron Bestrom

I'll defer to Ron on this because he is far more knowledgeable than I regarding what should be available to you. however, I would sure get someone to look while you are on the phone and tell you if the birth year is on it before I'd send them a check!! If you can go to the nearest social security office and speak with someone, that might even be the best way to handle it . . . but go with whatever Ron explains to do . . . ----- Original Message ----- From: "Virginia Patricelli" <virgpat@usfamily.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 6:57 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Social Security Application - abt. 1940 > Jeanine & Ron, So are you saying that even if I send for the exact form I > won't get all the original information? I just need to have proof of > where > she was born and when - since I can't go by the different ages she gave on > the census. I found no information that they ever lived in Bellville, IL > where she claimed to be born and I'm only sure of the month and date that > she used consistently. Any advice? > > Thanks, Virginia > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Bestrom" <RBestrom@earthlink.net> > To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 4:22 PM > Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Social Security Application - abt. 1940 > > >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Jeanine Reckinger" <jreck@ecenet.com> >> >>> You don't just get copies of whatever is in the file, you get only what >>> they have >>> committed to the computer, or at least that is all I got . . . it was >>> one >>> page with no more >>> information than I had in the first place; however, many other people >>> tell >>> me they have learned much more than I did. >> >> Jeanine, you must have ordered the computer extract for $16.00 (current >> cost). If you would have ordered the exact copy, you would have received >> a >> machine copy of the exact form your person wrote on (or typed) when they >> applied for their SSN. >> >> As far as other information, most of the claim information is destroyed >> about three years after the death of the person. >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > --- http://USFamily.Net/dialup.html - $8.25/mo! -- > http://www.usfamily.net/dsl.html - $19.99/mo! --- > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >