The Social Security Death Index is one of the most basic tools you can use to start your family history research.

    In 1937 the United States Congress passed a law making it mandatory for all working citizens of the United States to apply for a Social Security number. As a result many people born as far back as the late 1880s or so received Social Security numbers. When they died a large number of these deaths were reported to the Social Security Administration for the payment of death benefits. (I say a large number, because not all deaths were or are reported to Social Security. However the odds are still in your favor.)

    The Social Security Administration compiled all of these records into what is now known as the Social Security Death Index, or SSDI for short. This database records all deaths reported since 1962. The omission of an individual in this index does not mean the person is still living. It simply means that there was no Social Security death benefit paid out in the name of that person.

    There are a number of reasons why someone may not appear in the SSDI. Prior to the 1960s, farmers, housewives, government employees, non-employed individuals and those with a separate retirement plan may not have had a social security number, and it wasn't until 1988 that all children had to have Social Security numbers.

    Additionally, your relative may have been covered by the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, which administers a Federal retirement benefit program covering the nation's railroad workers. This program began in 1936. For more information on this program and how to request a search of their records go to the following web page:

The U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.

    The information you will find in the SSDI will vary, but generally includes the name of the deceased, their Social Security Number, the place of death, (usually the state and sometimes the town), where the last benefit was paid to, the approximate date the Social Security Number was applied for and the approximate date of the recipient's birth and death.

    One of the easiest to use, and most frequently updated online SSDI databases is the one at:

Search the Social Security Death Index.

Simply fill in the name of the person you are searching for and click the "Search" button with your mouse. It doesn't get easier than that.

    Keep in mind all the various spellings that Wynkoops can be found under. If you've forgotten what they are go to the following webpage:

Wynkoop Name Spelling Variations.

    You can do a surprising amount of research on your chosen relative using this seemingly small amount of information. Here is a list of at least six different tasks, (I would suggest you do them in this order to avoid long delays and duplication of effort.):

• 1. Write away for the SS-5 form now that you have your relative's Social Security Number. This is a photostat of the actual form that they filled out when they applied for their Social Security number in the first place. It will be written in their own hand, (always a thrill, believe me), and will list their full name, current address, the names of their parents and their place of work. This slender little form, about 2" x 8", is a real gold-mine!

      To request a copy of your relative's SS-5, select "Write Letter" on the Ancestry.com SSDI screen printout:

  Search the Social Security Death Index.

      This will give you a sample letter to write to the Social Security Administration. Just copy it and paste it into your favorite word-processor, add your current address and phone number or e-mail address and send a check off to the address in the letter. The wait time for this information can be four to six months, so don't delay.

• 2. Write for your relative's death certificate. This will vary from person to person so I would suggest you go to the following web address and select the State listed as the place of death in the SSDI:

  Vital Records Information, United States.

      Select the State or Territory that the SSDI shows was your relative's last known residence and follow the links given to the appropriate vital records location. Since the cost of a Death Certificate will vary from state to state, and even from county to county, I would suggest you look up the vital records information for the county specific to your relative. You will find this information on most State pages under the heading "Vital Records."

      Be sure to supply them with every bit of information that they ask for when applying for the death certificate. This will avoid all kinds of delays and frustration in your search. Always be as specific as possible in making your request. Remember, they can't read your mind through the mail.

      Some States and Counties will have an online form for you to fill out and send in. I suggest you print that out and use it. You can't go wrong doing it that way.

• 3. Write or call the Cemetery where your relative is buried. This information will be on the Death Certificate. They'll have a lot more information about your relative than what is on the Death Certificate, including what section of the cemetery they're buried in plus the plot number and grave number.

      Don't forget to ask who else is buried in the same plot with him or her. They should be close relatives. Also ask if there are any other Wynkoops, etc. buried in the same Cemetery. The chances are very good that they'll be relatives of one sort or another.

      Don't be afraid to talk to these folks. I've talked to many, many people at these places and without exception they've been very friendly and extremely helpful. If you're going to call the Cemetery I would suggest that you call them Tuesday through Friday. Saturday through Monday are their busiest days. Many people come by the Cemeteries on the weekends to visit family members and purchase cemetery plots.

• 4. Write or call the Undertaker who handled your relative's funeral. They should be listed on the Death Certificate too. They're probably the people who filled out the Death Certificate in the first place. More than likely, they also handled the obituaries published in the newspapers. With a lot of luck they may still have a copy of it in your relative's file. If not they should be able to tell you which papers they normally send death announcements to and when they sent it. They will also know who they sent the bill to. Ask for the name and address. This may or may not be the same address that the Cemetery has listed. Ask at both places. The more questions you ask the more clues you'll have to follow up on later.

• 5. Use the phone directory to hunt for living relatives. From the Death Certificate, Cemetery Record and Funeral Home records you should also be able to find out your relative's last known address. (And I'm not talking about the Cemetery here!) Look them up in one of the online phone directories. A good place to start is this web address:

  Telephone Directories on the Web.

      You may find a close relative still living there or in the general neighborhood. You may be able to arrange a meeting or exchange letters!

• 6. Write to the local newspaper and request a copy of your relative's obituary once you have the exact date of death. Sometimes you will find living relatives listed, as well as activities or organizations that they may have belonged to. I discovered from my great-grandfather's obituary that he was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. My uncle's obituary invited all the members of a local American Legion Post to the funeral. I contacted them and they sent me his Post application and with that information I was able to recover his World War II Service number and Service record. You just never know what you may find in an obituary. You may be missing something valuable by passing it by.

    Best of luck with your research!

    Chris