Nonexistent Information in Genealogy Social Security System Part 2

 In the process of my performing genealogy research, I could not find some ancestors and people that I sought in Social Security Death Index .  I then began to realize that some people may have never been included within the Social Security data base. Many of my ancestors were farmers, cooks, maids and worked in the lumber industry.  I do not know if a person was prohibited from completing a Social Security application in one of the excluded classifications. I think it is conceivable that a person might not bother to  complete a Social Security application if they knew they would not receive any benefits.  Ancestors may have died after 1935 and before they were included in the Social Security System.  

My purpose is not to present an exhaustive presentation of the Social Security System exclusions. I would also like to mention I am not an expert in the nuances of the Social Security System. The Social Security System has evolved since 1935.  There have been 37 versions of the Social Security cards and 3 types of cards.  For example from 1946 to 1972 printed on the card was "Not For Identification".  This might also affect locating individuals by their Social Security number in other records. Possibly knowing the exclusions and inclusions in the Social Security Programs can prevent looking for nonexistent information. 

 The Social Security slowly began to decreased the exclusions 

1. 1939 Exclusion of of workers 65 years old and older was eliminated
2. 1950-1956 Agricultural workers were included with certain limitations based on pay and days worked
3. 1950s Coverage extended to workers in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Island
4. 1960 Coverage extended to workers in Guam and America Samoa
5. 1951 Coverage was extended to Domestic workers which included maids, butlers, gardeners and chauffeurs with certain limitations based on pay and days worked
6. 1951 State and local government employees were included
7. 1983   Coverage was extended to civilian employees of the Federal executive, judicial, and legislative branches hired after December 31, 1983. This coverage was given to members of federal judges, executive level political appointees, Congress, the President and Vice President 

Nonexistent information in Genealogy --- The Social Security System

 The  United States Social Security Act was signed into law on August 17, 1935. Social Security was initially to provide retired workers a small income after the age of 65.  Benefits were to be paid to workers based on payroll contributions paid during their working life. Social security applications and death index can provide not only the social security number the name of an individual, date of birth and death, race, parents and last known residence. 

Now a parent can request a social security number for a baby before it leaves the hospital. If you plan to use your child as a deduction on your income tax, the child is required to have a social security number.  All employers are required to use an employee social security number to provide information to the IRS. The social security number is a unique piece of information because once an individual dies the number is not recycled. It is reasonable that a genealogist would look at social security records to find information.  

It would also be reasonable to assume every natural-born citizen working in the United States after 1935 had a Social Security number.   If you were to make that assumption, you would be wrong.

Social Security in 1935

When Social Security was initially established it was recommended that benefits would be limited to industrial workers. The following groups were excluded from coverage

1.  Self-employed workers ( which included farmers and domestic workers) 
2. Workers in the Non-Profit Sector
3. Professionals such as doctors, lawyers and ministers
4.  Merchant marine seamen
5. Employees in charitable or educational foundations
6. Causal laborers
7. Persons who are 65 or older
8. Employees for the American Society for the Cruelty to Animals 
9. Members of Congress
10. Employees of federal, state or local government. That includes the President of the United States to postal workers 

Excluded from coverage were 24 % of the Caucasian and 65 % of the African American workforce. The professional employees of the NAACP as well as the farmer sharecroppers and maids were initially excluded from Social Security.

As genealogists looking for information, we must keep in mind that the Social Security laws of today were not applicable over 80 years ago. We may be looking for nonexistent information about our ancestors in the Social Security System.

Citation: The Decision to Exclude Agricultural and Domestic Workers from the 1935 Social Security Act

from Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 70 No. 4 (released November 2010)

by Larry DeWitt

----- The Tree Gardener

Nonexistent Information in Genealogy

Introduction

As a family historian and genealogist, I am constantly looking at records that relate to my research families. We are taught to perform our search to gather information and travel from the known to the unknown.   I have used vital records, court documents, census, school records, some government documents and Internet message boards looking for family connections. Living in the era of information technology, the Internet has increased possible sources of information.  With years of effort, I have hit many brick walls. I finally realized that I may have used tools available today to find evidence that never existed about people who lived decades ago. The information that we collect today is not the same as years ago. I may have been looking for information that may have never existed. I plan to launch a series of blogs titled Nonexistent Information. Possibly others have lumps from hitting brick walls and discovered their roots traveled in a different direction.   

----- The Tree Gardner

Calvin Caston Last Will and Testament 2

Lydia Caston petitioned the court on April 11, 1913 to receive the stated benefits in the will of her late husband Calvin Caston.  It is in this document the date of death of Calvin Caston is recorded  as July 19, 1912.  

 Calvin Caston had his insurance policy from the Masonic Benefit Association through the M. W. Stringer Masonic Grand Lodge.  This black Masonic lodge was organized in Vicksburg, Mississippi by Thomas W. Stringer in 1867 and received it's charter in 1873. This was the first black Masonic lodge in the state of Mississippi. I am happy to say that this organization is still in existence in Jackson, Mississippi. I would also like to mention that Thomas W. Stringer was the first black man elected to the Mississippi state legislature and started several other lodges in Louisiana.

Calvin Caston had the Masonic benefit policy more than 30 days and less than a year. Calvin's will was found to be true and admitted to probate.  All debtors and funeral expenses are usually paid and any remaining money is given to the beneficiaries. His heirs were eligible for $300 which equivalent to $7221.20 in 2015.  It is not known how much money Lydia and Silas Caston received after debts were paid.   

-----The Tree Gardener