| The social security index is a list of people who | | | | complete list of records on it. This is purchased |
| have died, and is kept by the Social Security | | | | through a subscription which costs $6,900 for US, |
| Administration. It is kept by this agency as these | | | | Canadian and Mexican citizens. This is much more |
| are the details of people who have had a social | | | | money than most people are willing to pay. |
| security number, but have died - so the Social | | | | Luckily, there are third party services available |
| Security Administration needs to keep track of | | | | which provide access to this information at a tiny |
| these identities to prevent fraud and identity | | | | fraction of the price. They know that you do not |
| theft. | | | | want all the information on the entire database, |
| Because of the Freedom of Information Act, | | | | just certain records relating to the people you are |
| government agencies are required to make | | | | researching. So they have put the database on |
| information of this nature available to the general | | | | line, making it possible for you to search through |
| public for any legitimate (non-illegal) use. | | | | a web site to find only the data you need. |
| As a side effect of this, these records have | | | | The best services offer access to the social |
| become invaluable for anyone seeking to do | | | | security index searches and other databases |
| research about someones life, whether it is for a | | | | together in one interface, allowing you to |
| history project, researching a family tree, or | | | | coordinate the information you find to get a |
| tracing missing persons. | | | | complete picture. |
| In order to access the full database directly from | | | | To see which service I recommend most of all, |
| the SSA, you need to order a DVD with the | | | | click on the link below. |