Three Sets of Twins In Succession

Grey River Argus, 12 November 1949, Page 8

Three Sets of Twins In Succession

WELLINGTON, November 10. Mrs. N. A. Sorenson, of Clifford Road, Johnsonville, has given birth to her third set of twins in succession. In September 1943, Mr. and Mrs. Sorenson became the parents of twins David and Diane. In October, 1945, twin boys, Richard and Nigel, were born. This year, on October 15, twins were again born, this time a boy, Brian, and a girl Betty. In addition, to the three sets of twins they have two older daughters—Margaret, aged eight, and Rosalie, aged seven. Even these two girls could be taken for twins—they are so alike. Wellington doctors say they have no record or knowledge of any other family ever having three sets of twins. None attempted to estimate the chances of such an occurrence, but said they must be very high. “This is a rare happening,” said Dr. G. N. Findlay. “I have heard of families who have had two sets of twins, but never three. It is by no means a common occurence for a family to have even two sets. This is the first in my experience,” “I was in hospital when the first set of twins arrived,” said Mr. Sorenson. “The news came as a complete shock to me, for we had not been told to expect twins. However, we had been forwarned about the succeeding arrivals.” Mr. Sorenson said his wife was a devoted mother and efficient housewife. All the children of the Sorenson family are healthy and normal. Those at school have been praised by their teachers for their intelligence. AUCKLAND HAS TWO SETS TOO AUCKLAND, November, 10. When a third set of twins was born to a Wellington couple last month doctors said they had no previous knowledge of three sets occurring in the same family. However, it was discovered to-day that a family that includes three sets of twins has been living in Otahuhu for several years. They are the children of Mr. and Mrs. M. W. Edwards and include three boys and three girls, the eldest of whom are nearly 19 and the youngest four.