I've been monitoring Norcal daily for over the last two years. After two years of extensive research that ended last Spring, I don't expect to find that treasure I have occasionally come across. However, I still look and listen and about a month ago I was told, off line, by one of my Norcal friends about ordering a Social Security application. I told her my grandfather's name did not appear on the SS Index. She told me that is not uncommon because if the person's death is not reported to the SS Administration, they don't have it in their Index. I sent in my $29 and today a copy of his 1937 application was in my mail box. After reading the information, I wish I knew enough years ago to have ordered this. It would have saved me a lot of time. His full name, father's full name, and mother's full name is listed. His place of birth is listed, and his date of birth is listed. All pretty amazing to me because he didn't share this information with his family. There is also his current address and name and address of his employer. What makes the SS Application so special is it is filled out by the applicant. Unlike a death and a birth certificate, if you're lucky to get one, the information came from the applicant. There are no mistakes from a third party on a hand written SS application, only the information as the applicant knew it. Just when you think all of the treasures have been found, a new one shows up. The best $29 I ever spent. Phil Long AZ Links to the Freedom of Information Act http://www.ssa.gov/foia/foia_guide.htm#_Toc517745431 Ancestry.Com http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/faq.htm#original How can I get a copy of the original records? The Social Security Administration makes copies of the original Social Security application form (the SS-5) available to third parties who request information on a deceased individual. A standard letter to the Social Security Administration is available with the search results on the Ancestry.com Social Security Death Index. To generate the letter simply click on the "write letter" link available with all search results in Ancestry's SSDI. This letter may be printed and mailed to the Social Security Administration to request a copy of your ancestor's SS-5 form. The Social Security Administration charges $27.00 for each individual copy ($16 for an abbreviated NUMIDENT form as opposed to the SS-5 itself). Note: Note: Not everyone who has, or has had, a Social Security card will appear on the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Many enrolled persons are not listed either because their death was not reported to the SSA or they are still living. If you haven't found your deceased ancestor on the SSDI, but he or she was likely enrolled with the Social Security system, it may still be possible to get a photocopy of his or her original SS-5. To request this information, you will need to send the name and Social Security number of the person you're researching. You might be able to locate the person's Social Security number in the following places: a.. personal papers b.. death certificate c.. funeral home records d.. records held by financial institutions e.. voter registration rolls at county courthouse f.. former employers of the individual If those sources don't produce the number, you may request a "SSN search" with the Social Security Administration. To request this service you must send $29 and provide the following information: full name, state of birth, and date of birth to: Social Security Administration OEO FOIA Workgroup 300 N. Green Street P.O. Box 33022 Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3022 Providing names of parents are also helpful, especially with common surnames. Be sure also to provide proof of death, as the records of living individuals are not publicly available.

Phil, Very glad to hear of your success. That SS application fee used to be $7 until they raised it..I would order several a month back then! Joe PhilLong <[email protected]> wrote: I've been monitoring Norcal daily for over the last two years. After two years of extensive research that ended last Spring, I don't expect to find that treasure I have occasionally come across. However, I still look and listen and about a month ago I was told, off line, by one of my Norcal friends about ordering a Social Security application. I told her my grandfather's name did not appear on the SS Index. She told me that is not uncommon because if the person's death is not reported to the SS Administration, they don't have it in their Index. I sent in my $29 and today a copy of his 1937 application was in my mail box. After reading the information, I wish I knew enough years ago to have ordered this. It would have saved me a lot of time. His full name, father's full name, and mother's full name is listed. His place of birth is listed, and his date of birth is listed. All pretty amazing to me because he didn't share this information with his family. There is also his current address and name and address of his employer. What makes the SS Application so special is it is filled out by the applicant. Unlike a death and a birth certificate, if you're lucky to get one, the information came from the applicant. There are no mistakes from a third party on a hand written SS application, only the information as the applicant knew it. Just when you think all of the treasures have been found, a new one shows up. The best $29 I ever spent. Phil Long AZ Links to the Freedom of Information Act http://www.ssa.gov/foia/foia_guide.htm#_Toc517745431 Ancestry.Com http://www.ancestry.com/search/rectype/vital/ssdi/faq.htm#original How can I get a copy of the original records? The Social Security Administration makes copies of the original Social Security application form (the SS-5) available to third parties who request information on a deceased individual. A standard letter to the Social Security Administration is available with the search results on the Ancestry.com Social Security Death Index. To generate the letter simply click on the "write letter" link available with all search results in Ancestry's SSDI. This letter may be printed and mailed to the Social Security Administration to request a copy of your ancestor's SS-5 form. The Social Security Administration charges $27.00 for each individual copy ($16 for an abbreviated NUMIDENT form as opposed to the SS-5 itself). Note: Note: Not everyone who has, or has had, a Social Security card will appear on the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Many enrolled persons are not listed either because their death was not reported to the SSA or they are still living. If you haven't found your deceased ancestor on the SSDI, but he or she was likely enrolled with the Social Security system, it may still be possible to get a photocopy of his or her original SS-5. To request this information, you will need to send the name and Social Security number of the person you're researching. You might be able to locate the person's Social Security number in the following places: a.. personal papers b.. death certificate c.. funeral home records d.. records held by financial institutions e.. voter registration rolls at county courthouse f.. former employers of the individual If those sources don't produce the number, you may request a "SSN search" with the Social Security Administration. To request this service you must send $29 and provide the following information: full name, state of birth, and date of birth to: Social Security Administration OEO FOIA Workgroup 300 N. Green Street P.O. Box 33022 Baltimore, Maryland 21290-3022 Providing names of parents are also helpful, especially with common surnames. Be sure also to provide proof of death, as the records of living individuals are not publicly available. ==== SOCAL Mailing List ==== Do NOT open attachments. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Protect your identity with Yahoo! Mail AddressGuard