NARA's Online Social Security Numident Files Database Has Extractions from Some SS-5 Forms

The Social Security Numident Files Database (1936-2007) from the National Archives (NARA) now includes some "Application (SS-5) Files," which have information extracted from the form the person filled out when they applied for a Social Security Card (the SS-5 form). For some of the entries this includes some key information that genealogists are often looking for: names of the person's parents, and the person's place and date of birth.

Note that you will not find a text-based SS-5 in the Numident database for everyone who is in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). The database is free to use at NARA's website. Ordering copies of SS-5 forms from the Social Security Administration requires a fee.

Many of the "Application (SS-5) Files" in the Numident database contain:

• Name
• Social Security Number
• Date and Place of Birth
• Names of Parents

Some of the items listed above may be not be included on all Numidents.

Some of these files may also contain:

• "Other Last Name" -- this is usually a woman's maiden name. Note that this is not included on a standard SS-5.

SS-5 Forms usually contain:

• Name
• Social Security Number
• Date and Place of Birth
• Names of Parents (may be redacted)
• Address
• Name and address of present employer
• Sex and Color/Race
• Date signed

Note that SS-5 forms may vary slightly over time.

Here is a comparison between the Numident application file from NARA and the SS-5 obtained from the Social Security Administration for actor Gregory Peck, who died in 2003.

The basic information given in the Numident application file for Gregory Peck:

• Name: Eldred Gregory Peck
• Social Security Number: 547-16-9811
• Birth: 5 April 1916, San Diego, California
• Parents: Bernice M. Ayres and Gregory P. Peck

The basic information given on the SS-5 form for Gregory Peck (see image below):

• Name: Eldred Gregory Peck
• Social Security Number: 547-16-9811
• Birth: 5 April 1916, San Diego, California; Age: 21
• Parents: Bernice Mae Ayres and Gregory Pearl Peck
• Date signed: 20 December 1937
• Employer: The Marston Co, 5th and C streets, San Diego
• Sex: male; Color: white
• Signature

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NARA's Numident database also contains "Death Files," which is similar to the SSDI, but with fewer entries. And "Claim Files," which include brief information about when a person made a claim for Social Security benefits, including death claims.

If the person you're looking for is not in NARA's Numident database, you can try ordering a copy of the SS-5 from the Social Security Administration.

NARA's Numident database is online at: Social Security Numident Files Database from the National Archives.

For information about the online Social Security Death Index and related databases, along with information about how to order a copy of an SS-5 form, see:

The Social Security Death Index and Related Databases - Information for Online Searching

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Here's a copy of Gregory Peck's SS-5 form (click on it to see a larger view).

Social Security Death Index Now Has 80 Million Entries

The online Social Security Death Index (SSDI) at Genealogy Bank has surpassed 80 million entries. It has been updated to include some August 2007 entries. The SSDIs at FamilySearch and Ancestry now include July 2007 entries. The Social Security Death Index at FamilySearch is free to use (with registration). For links to all three of these SSDIs see: The Social Security Death Index - Online Searching

Gregory Peck in the Social Security Death Index and his SS-5 Form

In 2003 when I first heard that Gregory Peck had died, my reaction was, oh no, we've lost Atticus Finch. Harper Lee may have created the Atticus Finch character in her beloved novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, but Gregory Peck made him real in the equally beloved film version. It seemed as though he wasn't playing a role at all, but putting his own sincerity and feelings about racial inequality onto the screen. So when he died it wasn't that we had lost a great and popular actor. It felt like we had lost America's kind and noble grandfather. He was one of those rare Hollywood celebrities who you seemed to know and respect even if you had never met him.

Here is Gregory Peck's listing in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI):

GREGORY PECK
Birth: 05 Apr 1916
Death: 12 Jun 2003 (V)
Last Residence: 90077 (Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA)
Last Benefit: (none specified)
Social Security Number: 547-16-9811
Issued: California

Using the information from an SSDI listing, a copy of the person's SS-5 form can be obtained from the Social Security Administration for a fee. The SS-5 is the form a person filled out when they applied for a Social Security Card. Here's a copy of Gregory Peck's SS-5 (click on it to see a larger view).



As you can see it gives all sorts of information about the person that can be useful for further genealogy research. The SS-5 for Gregory Peck shows his full name (Eldred Gregory Peck), his date and place of birth (April 5, 1916 in San Diego, California), and the full names of his parents (Gregory Pearl Peck and Bernice Mae Ayres). Note that the maiden name of his mother is given. (There are restrictions regarding the release of the parents' names -- see the link below.) This SS-5 also shows the name and location of his employer, and his address in San Diego when he applied for his Social Security Card in 1937, which is about 6 years before he made his first film.

While putting this article together I asked my mother what her favorite Gregory Peck movies were. Here is her list: Keys of the Kingdom (1944, his second film), Duel in the Sun (1946), Gentleman's Agreement (1947), Twelve O'Clock High (1949), Roman Holiday (1953, with the great Audrey Hepburn, who became a lifelong friend), and To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). During his film career he received five best actor Academy Award nominations, and won the Oscar just once. That was for To Kill a Mockingbird. I think it's fitting that he will likely be remembered for the role of Atticus Finch. Gregory Peck may have died in 2003, but thanks to him and Harper Lee, Atticus Finch will live on in the film and novel.

Helpful Links
Social Security Death Index - Online Searching

How to order a copy of the Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) of a deceased person Note the restrictions given there regarding proof of death and the release of parents' names.