Patrice,

The Social Security system did not come into effect until the 1930s. It is likely that if the person you seek was self-employed, like working as a farmer, that he never paid into the system and never had a social security number. Today, it is different - babies are oftentimes given a number when they are born. Generally, a funeral home will get the social security number of a decedent so that they can notify the Social Security Administration agency of the death and to cease any benefit payments. So contacting the funeral home is a good idea. I would do it by mail, explaining why you seek the information and ask them to make copies of all the information they have on the decedent and return it to you in a self-addressed and stamped envelope that you provide for them. I wish you the best of luck in your search.