How To & FAQs

• Ancestry.com - Learning Center - Learn More 
  Thousands of FREE, searchable how-to articles from Ancestry.com publications such as Ancestry Magazine, the Ancestry Weekly Discovery and the Ancestry Monthly Update.
  • Cross-Checking to Save Money with the Social Security Death Index 
    A Quick Tip article.
  • Double-Checking with the SSDI 
    A Quick Tip article.
  • Even More About Social Security Records 
    Article by George G. Morgan.
  • Social Security Death Index - Tip 
    A helpful page with searching tips.
  • Social Security Index A Useful Search Tool 
    A Quick Tip article.
  • Using Social Security Number Application Forms for Genealogy 
    Article by George G. Morgan.
  • Using the Social Security Death Index 
    Article by George G. Morgan.
  • Using The Social Security Death Index 
    Article by Dick Eastman.
  • U.S. Social Security Death Index 
    Article by Kathi Sittner.
• FamilySearch Research Guidance - United States Social Security Death Index and Application Files 
• Genealogy Using Social Security Records - A Government Program That Can Help Me? 
  This how-to article explains use of Social Security records, including Social Security Death Index, SS5 applications, and other tidbits for genealogists. From Pilgrims, Pioneers & Aliens, by Diana Smith
• I Dream of Genealogy Research - Social Security SS-5 Applications 
  Scanned images of some Social Security (SS-5) Applications. Most applications contain parents' names, including mother's maiden name, employment information, birthdate, and residency.
• Lineages.com - Social Security Death Index 
• Lost Persons Letter Forwarding by the SSA 
• Major Rate Increase for U.S. Social Security Application Requests 
  Genealogy Tip of the Day, from About.com.
• RootsWeb Guide Lesson Number 10 - Social Security Death Index 
• Shirley Hornbeck's This and That Genealogy Tips on Social Security 
• Social Security Administration & Genealogy FAQ 
• Social Security Applications: A Source for Finding the Names of Immigrants' Parents 
  By Megan A. Smolenyak.
• The Social Security Death Index 
  Article by Roseann Reinemuth Hogan.
• Social Security Number FAQ 
• The SSN Numbering Scheme 
• Structure of Social Security Numbers 

Social Security Administration

• Social Security Online - The Official Web Site of the Social Security Administration 
  • Guide to Freedom of Information Act Requests - Social Security Administration 
    • Fee Schedule For Frequently Requested Records 
      Including the latest fee increases for requesting copies of original application for social security card & computer extract of social security number application.
• Social Security Administration History Page 
  • Brief History 
  • Frequently Asked Questions 
  • Guide to the SSA History Archives 
  • Social Security Numbers 
    • The SSN Numbering Scheme 
      • Social Security Number Allocations 
• Social Security Administration Consent for Release of Information (SSA-3288) 
  Complete this form only if you want the Social Security Administration to give information or records about you to an individual or group (for example, a doctor, or insurance company).

Social Security Death Index - SSDI Databases Online

• Ancestry.com - Social Security Death Index 
  Searchable indexes; database results and some digitized images available with fee-based subscription. Original source: Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.
• FamilySearch.org - Search 
  • U.S. Social Security Death Index  (Free)
• Family Search US Social Security Death Index 
  • Tips on How to Search the U.S. Social Security Death Index 
• GenealogyBank.com - Search Social Security Death Index 1937-current  (Free)
  Search more than 81.1 million death records. This is the only SSDI site to be updated weekly.
• Indiana State Digital Archives - Social Security Death Index (SSDI) 
• NEHGS - Social Security Death Index - Free Database  (Free)
  New England Historic Genealogical Society.
• One-Step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse 
  Alternate search functions for many online databases. Includes tools for immigration, census, vital records, calendars, soundex, foreign alphabets, Jewish and Holocaust research.
  • Searching the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) in One Step 
• Social Security Death Index Interactive Search  (Free)
  Hosted by Rootsweb.com, "the most full-featured and up-to-date SSDI search engine on the Internet."
• Washington State Digital Archives - Title Info for : Social Security Death Index - Washington 
  Searchable online database from the Washington Secretary of State. Contains the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for those individuals who either had a Social Security card issued in Washington State, had their last residence in Washington state, or had their last benefit payment mailed to an address in Washington State just prior to their death. The database contains approximately 1,399,756 records.
• WorldVitalRecords.com - Social Security Death Index 
  An inexpensive, growing set of pay-for-use databases. Including vital records, court records, military records, and an extensive collection of newspapers.

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