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Missing Entries in the SSDI
Reporting Inaccurate Entries
Contacting the SSA for Information
Terms and Definitions:
Post-em Note:
Post-Em Notes enable you to attach information to any entry in the SSDI. It is the electronic equivalent of a sticky note.

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Social Security Death Index
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Social Security Death Index:
Reporting Inaccurate Entries

You may find errors in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Some surnames may begin with a doubled first character (such as WWinch). An entry may contain numbers. Or you may find typographical errors similar to the ones we all make each day. You may even find that someone who is very much alive is listed in the Death Index.

If you have documented proof of an error, contact your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office. Bring your documentation with you.

  • The office will correct the SSA file and give you a verification document of the current record. OR,
  • If the local SSA office already has the correct information in the Death Master File, it will give you a verification document of the record.

RootsWeb.com is unable to process or correct records in the SSDI file, except those sent from the SSA. As the SSA corrects its file, the changes will be included in the updates we receive.

We recommend that you use Post-em Notes to identify errors or to add related information or links to the SSDI records at RootsWeb.com.

You will find links to add or view Post-em Notes in the column labeled "Tools" of the search results.

Below is an example of a Post-Em Note that was added to the file of Dorris Yancey. If you were looking at the actual Post-Em Note, you would also see who submitted this note to the file, that person's e-mail address, and the date it was posted.

Ahnentafel of Barbara Yancey Dore
Dorris Clifford YANCEY was b. 24 Jul 1888, Kenner, Etowah Co., Ala d. 4 Mar 1984, Beaumont, Jefferson Co., Tx m. bur. Evergreen Cemetery, Jasper Co., TX.; m. 30 Jan 1915 Barbers Hill, Chambers Co., Tx to Maggie HORN

To learn more about Post-em Notes, click here.

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Contacting the SSA for Additional Information