When did personal identification cards become common in America? What are their origins and history?

Question

I work with manuscript collections in a library, and as my coworkers and I were looking at some old birth certificates (c. 1917 and 1940), it occurred to us to wonder about the kind of database technology they might have had and what proof of identification might have been provided. We noticed a check box labeled "legitimate" (it was checked), but could not agree on whether the doctor might take the mother's word (despite the fact that her surname and the father's were different) or if a marriage license might be presented, or what.

Of course, we have some theories, but a quick online search could not corroborate any of them. An answer to these questions would be wonderful, but if anyone can supply good resources for this type of information (a book, a website, anything). then that would also be greatly appreciated.

Perhaps I have a topic for my first book: "Becoming a Number: The Story of Personal Identification in America".

Thank you!

Answer 1

Each state has its own laws regarding vital records.  Some states did not record birth and death information until the first part of the 20th century. Also, once they did, a lot of people who were born at home or died at home did not get recorded.   There are a lot of people in order to get social security benefits had to get a delayed birth certificate.  My parents did and they were born in 1907 and 1908 respectively even though Texas began recording vital info in 1903.   They had someone who was alive when they were born to swear to the information before a notary public.

Edit: Working for an insurance company, they would even take a Bible Record as proof of birth.  When doing family history, one source are church baptismal records if they did infant baptisms. . Some churches keep detailed records and some don't.

Social Security went into effect the year I was born 1935.  When I got my social security number, I was about 15.  I don't remember having to produce any identification, except my mother was present.  Now, babies on Medicaid get a number at birth.  Actually, a lot of elderly people that never had social security had to get a social security number to go on Medicaid.  They are on the Social Security Death Index even though they never participated in or received social security benefits.  Two that I have found had incorrect dates of death.