Search the SSDI by Last Name
When searching the SSDI you should often start with the last name and, perhaps, one other fact. For best results, select the "Soundex Search" option (if available) so that you don't miss possible misspellings. You can also try searching for the obvious alternate name spellings on your own. When searching for a name with punctuation in it (such as D'Angelo), enter the name without the punctuation. You should try this both with and without a space in place of the punctuation (i.e. 'D Angelo' and DAngelo). All names with prefixes and suffixes (even those which don't use punctuation) should be searched both with and without the space (i.e. 'McDonald' and 'Mc Donald'). For married women, try searching under both their married name and their maiden name.
Search the SSDI by First Name
The first name field is searched by exact spelling only, so be sure to try other possibilities including alternate spellings, initials, nicknames, middle names etc.
Search the SSDI by Social Security Number
This is often the piece of information that genealogists searching the SSDI are looking for. This number can enable you to order the individual's Social Security application, which can lead to the discovery of all sorts of new clues for your ancestor. You can also learn which state issued the SSN from the first three digits.
Searching the SSDI by State of Issue
In most cases, the first three numbers of the SSN indicate which state issued the number (there are a few instances where one three digit number was used for more than one state). Complete this field if you are fairly positive of where your ancestor was living when they received their SSN. Be aware, however, that people often lived in one state and had their SSN issued from another state.
Searching the SSDI by Birth Date
This field has three parts: the birth date, month and year. You may search on just one or any combination of these fields. (i.e. the month and year). If you have no luck, then try narrowing down your search to just one (i.e. the month or the year). You should also search for obvious typos (i.e. 1895 and/or 1958 for 1985).
Searching the SSDI by Death Date
Just as with the birth date, the death date lets you search separately on the birth date, month and year. For deaths prior to 1988 it is advisable to search on the month and year only, as the exact date of death was seldom recorded. Make sure to search for the possible typos!
Searching the SSDI by Location of Last Residence
This is the address where the person was last known to be living when the benefit was applied for. About 20% of records do not contain any information on Last Residence, so if you are having no luck with your search you may want to try searching with this field left blank. The residence location is entered in the form of a ZIP code and includes the city/town which is associated with that ZIP code. Keep in mind that boundaries have changed over time, so make sure to cross reference the city/town names with other sources.
Searching the SSDI by Last Benefit Information
If the individual in question was married you may find that the last benefit and location of last residence are one and the same. It is a field which you will usually want to leave blank for your search as the last benefit could often have been paid to any number of people. This information can prove to be extremely valuable in the search for relatives, however, as next of kin were usually the ones to receive the last benefit.
