In a message dated 9/26/2004 12:30:47 PM Eastern Standard Time, CougarToys@aol.com writes: Also, I just listened to a lecture this week by an archivist in the State Government (a nameless state so they won't be embarrased...LOL) who said the SSDI starts with 1960. So if people died before that, they will not appear. Likewise, I'm sure some of those who died before then never collected social security. --- That isn't entirely true as some people prior to 1960 are listed in the SSDI and but mostly the listings start with those who died 1962 or later when SSA began computerizing the records. A good explanation can be found here in the RootsWeb Guide: http://www.rootsweb.com/~rwguide/lesson10.htm Joan