Prior to 2011, when randomized numbers started being issued, those first 3 numbers in a Social Security number revealed some important help for your family history.

Initially cards and numbers were issued to adults, where they were living… then in the 1950s they were issued to school children through their school.

If you’ve got a number for your ancestor, you’ve got a place of residence .. and somewhere to look for other records! …

Hopefully this map (thank you activitystory.com!) will help …

This website can also help decode the number …