Genealogy question concerning SSN issusance location

skatting44 · ‎07-26-2019

I am perplexed by an ancestors SSN that was issued in 1965 Alabama when he was born in SC in 1902 . Is the SSN issued in the state where you 1st were employed ?

I am trying to figure out as to maybe what town in Alabama my ancestor was in an effort to possibly locate other ancestors . My husband says you can tell by the SSN as to where/what town the SSN was issued . Does anyone know ?

deepwaterdotter · ‎03-09-2010

I think the first 3 numbers represent a code indicating the town and state where the card was issued.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

Social Security didn't start until 1935. I would think it would be your location where you applied for it. Some of my ancestors have Social Security Numbers issued by the Railroad Board and those don't give a location.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

Found this:

When the United States began issuing Social Security Numbers (SSNs) in 1936, it assigned certain number sequences to certain states. According to the Social Security Administration, this was mainly to keep their files organized, but it has had the unintended effect of associating people with certain locations. SSNs have never been assigned directly to note a person's birthplace; before 1972, the number reflected the location of the office issuing the number, and since 1972, numbers have been assigned by the address written on the application. However, because most people now receive their SSNs as children, the numbers they are assigned quite often reveal the U.S. states in which they were born. Thus, although the method is not foolproof, you can reasonably determine your birth state by the first three numbers in your SSN.

skatting44 · ‎07-26-2019

Thanks for everyone's response. I guess, I might call SS admin to see if 422 signifies a particular field office location in Alabama in 1965. I can only see that he may have been in Alabama between 1921 & 1924 .

@gizmogal

Thanks, I have been Googling , however have not found an answer to my question via Google. Appreciate you looking and sending a screen shot to me. I did find a list of numerous office locations in Al , however office location number not listed.

Albertville	Alexander City	Andalusia
Anniston	Auburn	Bessemer
Birmingham	Birmingham East	Cullman
Decatur	Dothan	Fairhope
Florence	Gadsden	Huntsville
Jackson	Jasper	Mobile
Montgomery	Selma	Talladega
	Tuscaloosa

D Kay · ‎04-20-2010

If you google "significance of social security number", the are several sites listed with an explanations, including by the Social Security Administration.

gizmogal · ‎05-09-2014

422 is in Alabama. I Googled "422 SSN prefix" and got a page with good information. I took a screen shot and attached it here to help you.

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

The first three digits of the number indicate the state in which you were residing when you applied for the card. In 1965, babies did not get social security cards. You usually got one when you were ready for your first job.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

skatting44 · ‎07-26-2019

@Kachina624

Thanks, I obtained my SSN when I applied for my 1st job .

My ancestor whom I am researching applied in 1965 for old age benefits . At the time he applied he was living in SC , so why it was issued in Alabama is why I am perplexed .

He was born in SC . The only yrs that he may have gone to Alabama for employment was between 1921-1924 . All the other yrs I have census records to verify location along with some family memories. All the older relatives are now deceased . I just found out abt the Al SSN.