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I am looking at the explanation on how to cite SS-5s in EE, but one item isn't completely clear to me. Is the date that should be included in the citation the date of application, or the date of birth on the application?
I am looking at the explanation on how to cite SS-5s in EE, but one item isn't completely clear to me. Is the date that should be included in the citation the date of application, or the date of birth on the application?
kingrat:
kingrat:
At times like this, it is good to remember one fundamental principle for identifying sources: When we cite a record, we identify the date the record was created. Thus, if we are citing an SS-5 (Application for Account Number) submitted to the Social Security Administration, the relevant date for the record is the date the form was filled in and signed. If we are citing a deed, the relevant date would be the date the deed was drafted. If we are citing a letter, we cite the date it was written. If we are citing an ambasssador's report, the relevant date for the citation would be the date the official date of the report.
Many records also have internal references to other dates. Those dates are usually valuable to our research, as with all other information in those records. But the citation that identifies a record focuses on the date the record was created.
Caveat: The organizational system of some archives from which we obtain records may require us to include certain other dates; but that's not a situation involved in the SS-5s.