Social Security Records for Family History Research Updated 2025

[@pepperspot805]

My Mother was sure her grandfathers middle name was Delano. When I got his application (about years ago), it was actually DeTroy, which is also his Mothers maiden name. Got me back several more generations. My family has given maiden names for middle names for several generations, it helps a lot.

[@richardewan2593]

Thank you for this Connie. I’m in the UK and have discovered that some people in my tree emigrated to the states from the 1920s onwards. These social security information will be extremely useful in my research when I get around to their branch (s) of the tree.

[@carlaporath7076]

Thank you Connie, this is why I keep coming back to your videos--information I have never heard of before!!! Merry Christmas and thanks again!!

[@GenealogyTV]

I’m glad you’re finding my videos helpful! Merry Christmas

[@tammym110]

This is fascinating. My grandfather was born in 1868. Yes 1868. He outlived 3 wives no children and from his fourth marriage, his first child was my father. He was 70 years old. His mother’s name was on his death certificate and I was able to learn the name of his father on his SS application form. My grandfather was retired when he filled out this form so he was not listed in the death index because I’m sure no claims would have been made since he didn’t contribute to SS

[@GenealogyTV]

Wow. Great story.

[@9256steven]

What have they done with FamilySearch? Further restrictions on requesting ordinances in December 2024. That's me done.

[@rwssinor]

I remember when the SSA5 was 7 usd.. love the availability on Family Search !

[@varon52]

May I recommend for those of us, and I assume, many of us who would appreciate larger and or darker fonts. Gracias

[@geneewert7591]

My Grandfather’s SS-5, which I got years ago, has all the information that I would have expected. HOWEVER the today’s date on the form was 5-3-45 and his “employer” is listed as: US Engineer Office, Tulsa, OK. My grandma was still alive at the time I got the record and she couldn’t remember why. They lived in or around Marion, KS -300-ish miles from Tulsa. He was a farmer who eventually worked for the city water department before he retired. We may never know. Getting the original records always are worth it if you can do so!

[@debbeb4499]

I sent for the SS-5 for my great grandmother, giving all the pertinent information including SSN. Much excitement when it arrived only to find they sent me someone else's with the same name. Money down the tubes.

[@GenealogyTV]

I’d write them back and tell them they had the wrong record.

[@debbeb4499]

@@GenealogyTV It was a couple of years ago and I seem to recall something about not being refunded for a mistaken record. It probably isn't worth another $27 and maybe the same mistake.

[@debbiecarroll5672]

Good morning Connie..thank you

[@desertpatient]

Thanks bunches

[@GenealogyTV]

You bet

[@matth.6287]

Hi, Connie! Thank you for all that you do. This is my first time posting. Just to clarify--the form you showed us is not an SS-5 form, but Form OA-C790, as is printed in the lower left of the form (OA is archaic language for Old Age). The title at the top of the form is “Request for E/R Action” (E/R stands for Earnings Record). I am no expert on this for sure, but when I sent for an SS-5 form for an ancestor, the Social Security Admin sent me the OA-C790 form and said that was all that was available. The SSA also told me that an OA-C790 form was generated when a claim for benefits was filed. It has always been unclear to me whether my ancestor originally had an SS-5 and it was destroyed when the OA-C790 was generated, or if the OA-C790 was the first and only form generated for her with Social Security. Happy hunting!

[@GenealogyTV]

You’re right! Thank you for pointing that out.

[@dan56273]

The first time I met my biological fathers family one of the documents they gave me was my grandfathers delayed certificate of birth, first time I had seen one of those

[@dennisfinco5351]

Sorry. I was searching the catalog in the main menu bar, not in the sneaky search that I have to scroll to.

[@L.R.L.]

I must have missed the updated part. Can you clarify what was updated?

[@GenealogyTV]

In the previous version of this video from about 2 years ago, I did not talk about the Numident files.

[@L.R.L.]

@@GenealogyTV Thank you.

[@DakotaCelt1]

I have a conundrum and confused as to which way to answer this question. I have a young man in my tree who died in a military training accident in 1982. Us Department of Veterans lists him as dying in Kenucky; SSDI not death location; Florida has him as dying in Florida. His obit has him as dying in Florida. Birthdate and birth location are accurate on all four. Right now i have both cities mentioned. Which would be the accurate one one?

[@GenealogyTV]

I would seek a death certificate and his military records.

[@dennisfinco5351]

Just tried to see the NUMIDENT file on Family Search and in collections it only shows the death index

[@griffin2141]

I think the amount of records for the applications and claims index is higher because it includes not only the applicant, but parents, so the three are listed as separate records! I was looking at that number stumped too 😂

[@GenealogyTV]

Good point

[@shuttlepilot]

Good morning, Connie : ) Let me go grab my coffee, and will be right back to enjoy what I know will be another good episode of Genealogy TV. ❤ EDIT: Connie, could it be that in the Claims records often parents' names will show up, so Ancestry could be counting those names in their "records" total? Just a thought.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes. Could be.

[@KarenL8426]

Depending when they applied, the look of the SS-5 will vary. My dad applied in the 30’s and his is all in handwriting.

[@GenealogyTV]

Agreed

[@pocu321]

I'm doing research for a very good friend, specifically his great-grandfather and great-grandmother on his mother's paternal side. His great-great-great uncle (one of the brothers) had one son who was in and out of mental institutions his whole life. He can be found on the 1940 census in an institution in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. That's the last that I see of him anywhere. He was born in 1886 so he may have lived many more years past 1940. He cannot be found in the Oklahoma death certificate index. There is no social security index record on any of the three record sets that I can find. If the social security number was required in 1936, why would he not be found?

[@GenealogyTV]

He might not have applied for a Social Security card. He may have died. Try county records for a death certificate and local genealogy/ historical societies for info about the institution.

[@KimberlyGreen]

I don't attach index records, including Soc. Security, to my tree as evidence. The chain of trust for index records is too weak. Data entry by a person creates the initial computer record, which is a process that's prone to error. The computer systems and databases on those original systems are prone to glitches and errors. (I know because I'm a 30 year IT professional.) Transfers of those databases into a 3rd party's systems are prone to error. (Ex: Social Security Admin to Ancestry Inc). The original documents aren't inspectable to independently confirm accuracy or validity. Index records are the genealogical equivalent of the game of telephone. When I see an index clue, I mark it as "maybe" and move on. It may, in the future, serve as a _pointer_ to real evidence if needed.

[@lafortc]

I respectfully refuse to watch these videos any longer because of the numerous interruptions for AD's - it is getting so bad channels are becoming unwatchable. KZbin is going to lose people because they've become way too greedy. Either I watch ads, or pay for Premium - either way KZbin wins.

[@GenealogyTV]

I'm sorry to hear that. I did switch to YT premium for that reason and I love it. It was the best investment for me... but then again, I watch a lot of KZbin. While I realize it doesn't help, those ads help support the cost of creating these videos. Also, know that many of the ads are skippable after a few seconds, but the creator gets nothing when you do.

[@aprilwicker6611]

@@GenealogyTV I have noticed that 95% of the ads are for things I am not interested in AT ALL. That's why I skip them. Didn't know you got paid if I let it run. Hmmmm.

[@AlphaFemmeXtine]

​@aprilwicker6611 the pennies creators MAY make for you letting an ad run is next to nothing. Don't feel bad for hitting skip

[@danielledriscoll128]

Technology does cost money. The fast loading and skip to parts of interest, and the algorithm that might suggest worthwhile videos on genealogy require technology. KZbin is a for profit platform. That has shareholders. They also pay channels like this one that drive a high volume of loyal viewers. Advertising generates that income. compared to the old 70's Broadcast TV which had tons of Ads, this is not bad. Volume of Ads on KZbin may decrease after the Holidays. Hang with it, you could always mute Ad's for a min or 3.

[@big_mama5823]

On the flip side when you say KZbin is being greedy, so are you. KZbin is TV service like Amazon prime, Netflix, AppleTV. We cancelled our Disney subscription to pay for KZbin ad free. It’s so worth it. Nothing is free Is looking for a free ride those days are gone. The goal of any business is to make money. When you go to the grocery store, do you expect free groceries!