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Leading Genealogy Sites Eliminate Records

Two major genealogy research services ceased posting Social Security numbers last week after receiving serious complaints from the public.

Genealogy and Privacy Violations

The cause, complaints of privacy violations by two individuals after the Social Security Administration falsely listed them as deceased.

 

Scripps Howard News Service, first to investigate the Social Security’s Database known as the Death Master File discovered the errors earlier this year. During their investigation, Scripps Howard identified 31,931 American citizens incorrectly recorded as deceased

Genealogy Sites Involved

Genealogybank.com was the first to stop, having made the decision to “err on the side of privacy” as stated by Daniel Jones, vice president of consumer products for Newsbank.com; parent company to Genealogybank. Shortly afterward, at the request of federal lawmakers Ancestry.com followed suit.

What Family Tree Site Will Be the Next to Fall?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who operate FamilySearch.org. Along with other genealogy research sites, have also received requests to stop granting access to the full Death Master File.

Erik Hawkins, representative for FamilySearch.org stated in a story released by Scripps Howard News Service 12/15/2011 “We are looking into how this matter can be resolved.”

For the full story: http://public.shns.com/content/genealogy-sites-remove-social-security-numbers-deceased

Genealogybeginner.com wants to know what our readers think. How does the loss of SSDI records affect genealogy research? Join us on the forum, Genealogy News and Events and weigh-in with your opinion.

 

Image credit: tahbasco Via Photobucket

Big Changes at the U.S. Social Security Death Index

Created in 1936, the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is the repository holding records of individuals who have lived and died in the US.  This resource has been of great importance to many persons interested in researching their family tree. However, in more recent years this free public searchable database has also been misused by those with less honorable intentions. In fact, the recent changes come about due to the stolen identities of deceased infants, from records that were believed to have been accessed at the SSDI public data base.  For this reason the SSDI has made changes that will negatively affect genealogists and family history researchers with U.S. interests.

About the changes

Death records from the Public Death Master File (DMF) will no longer be accessed and added to the database effective November 2011.  In addition the SSDI is also removing 4.2 million of its 89 million records and will be decreasing new records added by about 1 million per year.

The new records added will come from family members, funeral homes, hospitals, Federal agencies, postal authorities and financial institutions. It is solely state death certificates that will no longer be added. The full notice from the NTIS reads:

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: CHANGE IN PUBLIC DEATH MASTER FILE RECORDS

We receive Death Master File (DMF) data from the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA receives death reports from various sources, including family members, funeral homes, hospitals, and financial institutions.

Q: What change is SSA making to the Public DMF?

A: Effective November 1, 2011, the DMF data that we receive from SSA will no longer contain protected state death records. Section 205(r) of the Act prohibits SSA from disclosing state death records SSA receives through its contracts with the states, except in limited circumstances. (Section 205r link – http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title02/0205.htm)

Q: How will this change affect the size of the Public DMF?

A: The historical Public DMF contains 89 million records. SSA will remove approximately 4.2 million records from this file and add about 1 million fewer records annually.

REMINDER: DMF users should always investigate and verify the death listed before taking any adverse action against any individual.

Genealogist may still be able to research data from their state vital statistics offices; this however will mean more work as these records are not indexed.

How do you feel about these changes? Join us over at the  https://www.genealogybeginner.com/community/genealogy-news-events/changes-at-the-ssdi#p54 forum for more discussion.

Facebook for the Dead?

A press release from explains how, and why, Footnote.com takes social networking into the past. When a loved one is lost, friends and family members experience a range of emotions from sorrow and grief to comfort. Often, this leads to sharing stories and memories. Until now, it has been a challenge to find a place where these stories can come together to easily be shared, preserved and enriched. At Footnote.com, anyone can create or find Footnote Pages, a space where users can connect and share information, photos and stories about people important to them.

To celebrate the new Footnote Pages, Footnote.com created over 80 million pages from the data in the SSDI. These pages feature an interactive timeline, map, photo gallery, and many other tools which has led some to refer to Footnote Pages as the Facebook for the Deceased.

Read the full press release at the Footnote Press Room, or visit the Footnote Blog.

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Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree Template

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Social Security Death Records

Another great article by Leo Talbot:

The Social Security Death Index (SSDI) contains the names and vital information of around 65 million deceased Americans. It is an extremely large and important database for genealogy enthusiasts. Information is archived in the SSDI when a death has been reported to the Social Security Administration (SSA), such as when a family member stops the Social Security Benefits (SSB) of a person, or applies for survivor’s benefits.

 

In the early 1960’s, the SSA began using computer technology to store vital records. Therefore, most records included in the SSDI have death dates of 1962 or later, and birth dates from the early 1900’s. Although there are a few birth dates as far back as the 1850’s, and death dates prior to 1960, not all earlier data has been entered into the current SSDI.

Social Security Death Records

Social Security Death Records (SSDR) usually contain the following data on a deceased individual:

• Last name
• First name
• Date of Birth
• Date of Death
• Where the last SSB was sent
• State of residence
• Where the SSN was issued
• Last known address

SSDI Search Tip #1: Use maiden names when searching for women. SSDI is a valuable genealogy tool. The SSDI can assist your genealogy research by providing data that will help you locate birth certificates and death certificates. By providing the names of parents, a female’s maiden name, people’s places of residence and their occupation, it may also assist in the search for marriage certificates and other vital records.

SSDI Search Tip #2 : Start your search on the SSDI with just a few facts. You can search on any combination of data. A last name and known possible birth period may be a good place to start. If the results are too large, add additional data and search again. Also, do not use middle initials – middle names are not recorded in the SSDI.

Soundex Search is a very useful feature that can assist where names may have been misspelled.

Leo Talbot writes genealogy articles such as the social security death index and others

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