Your ancestors who immigrated to the United States filled out form SS-5 for their social security card. They were required to put full place of birth – not just country. They were also required to put the mother’s maiden name. Look for a social security number on any piece of paper you may have, including a death certificate. Even if your female ancestor was not employed, as a widow she needed a number to collect benefits.

Find more help for researching your ancestry.

Dee Notaro is an amateur genealogist based in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.A.).  Her own ancestral background is made up of a mixture of cultures, including her Irish forebears who hailed from County Sligo.  Dee teaches classes on genealogical research and is passionate about helping others find answers to their ancestry questions.