OLDEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD CLAIM: AGES TOTAL 897 YEARS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22883, 1 March 1949, Page 6

OLDEST FAMILY IN THE WORLD CLAIM: AGES TOTAL 897 YEARS

(P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Mar. 1. A claim that 13 brothers and sisters in Helsinki, Finland, whose ages total 866 years, make up the oldest family in the world is disputed by Mr. James Holmes, Upper Riccarton, one of a family of 13 living members, whose ages total 897 years. They ate: — ★ —

Jack aged 59, Florrie 61, Lily 62, Maude 63, Arthur 65, George 67, Amy 68, Edith 71, Mary 72, Annie 73, Henry 75, Alice 80 and James 81.

Mr. Holmes has verified the ages by reference to a family Bible. Six others of the family are dead.

The father was Mr. Frederick Holmes for many years a cartage contractor at Sockburn, who was a native of Wiltshire, England. The mother was Mrs. Martha Holmes, who came from Cheshire.

Reuter’s correspondent in Helsinki says that the 13 Finnish brothers and sisters are the sons and daughters of Mooses Pirttijaervia . and his wife Emma Their ages are: Riukka 78, Antto 77, Manda 74, Eeeva 72, Emma 71, Kalle 70, Janne 68, Karolliina 66, Ida 65. twins Moose and Teemu 60, Kaisa 53, Reino 52.