Posted on: Johnston Co. NC Queries Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NC/Johnston/12273 Surname: ------------------------- Re: the date of birth (DOB) on Social Security records -- the 1902 date is based on a range of evidence and is probably more reliable than the date on the application, which is only an allegation. The DOB on the SSDI is the date determined by SSA employees for entitlement to benefits. They used a standard that gave the most weight to the oldest and the most credible evidence. These days, the birth certificate is usually the most credible. Unfortunately, most southern states did not have statewide birth registration until after the turn of the 20th century. Individuals filing for Social Security benefits without birth certificates would have to produce other evidence, such as children's birth certificates, baptism records, military papers, and census records to prove their age. These records often showed DOBs that were discrepant and that had to be resolved by SSA employees.