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From:
Subject: [ROOTS-L] Social Security Numbers
Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2006 13:41:06 EDT



Mary Putman" <>
Subject: Social Security Numbers

I was curious one day and was looking up my deceased husband's Social
Security information. I was astonished to find that in the internet records, he
was listed as having received his SS card in California. He had always lived
in Washington, so searched some more and found that evidently at one time,
California was running short of numbers. Some Washington state numbers were
transferred to California, therefore he is listed as having received his SS card
in California. Puzzle solved. The correspondance I received stated that
the state in which the card was issued cannot be changed without valid proof.
The only proof I would have would be that he was a lifelong resident of
Walla Walla County. If one state borrowed numbers from another state/states,
you may run into this problem also. Best wishes with your searches!
Mary


Mary:

I've haven't heard of that explanation before about California running short
of numbers. I don't see how that was even a possibility. I would
understand that explanation in today's scenario, but not in the past.

Could it be that even though he was a Walla Walla county resident that he
might have, at one point gone to California to work (perhaps after 1933 when SS
came into law) and in order to get the job he needed to get his SS card?
Then when the job was completed, or he quit that he returned back to
Washington?

You didn't indicate how old your husband was at the time he died which would
provide a clue as to the time period when he might have been issued his
card.

You didn't indicate whether you have known your husband his entire life -
meaning from childhood to adulthood when the two of you got married.

You didn't indicate what the first 3 numbers were on his card, which would
give you the state of issuance.

To be a California number, the first three digits for California cards are
545-573
To be a Washington number, the first three digits for Washington cards are
531-533



Isn't Walla Walla county basically an agricultural community? Could he have
come to California to work in the agricultural community or, if he didn't
want to be a farmer, come to California to pursue work in another industry?
Then returned when he discovered his true passion - you - and then stayed in
Washington?

Christie Trapp

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