This in turn led my uncle to tell me a very funny story about the time Mr. Wanda, my grandma, my uncle, and their goldfish drove from Los Angeles to the Trinity Mountains in Mr. Wanda's Model T Ford. Include the applicant's middle name or initial if known. Here are a sample letter and a sample envelope . The Social Security Administration didn't begin keeping the death index on computer until 1962. If your ancestor died in California, try the California State Death Index.
Some volumes list the social security number, when available.
This State Index is available in many libraries and Family History Centers. Another source would be family records such as a bible. The procedure is a little different, takes longer to process and is more expensive. For women, the maiden name or previous married name may be subsituted for the middle name. Applicant's employer and employer's address.