Longevity claims facts for kids
Have you ever wondered who the oldest person in the world is? Sometimes, people claim to be very, very old, even over 110 years! These are called longevity claims. A "longevity claim" means someone says they have lived an extremely long time, but it hasn't been officially checked and proven.
When someone claims to be 110 years old or more, they are called a supercentenarian. Many of these claims don't have official proof. Others might have only a little bit of evidence.
But there are also people whose ages have been fully checked and confirmed. This is done by special groups like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) or Guinness World Records. They have a special list of the oldest people whose ages are proven.
This article talks about claims of people who are said to be older than the current oldest living person whose age is proven, Kane Tanaka. She was born on January 2, 1903. It also covers claims of people who are said to be older than the oldest person ever proven to have lived, Jeanne Calment. She passed away at 122 years and 164 days old. We will look at claims up to 130 years old.
Contents
What Are Longevity Claims?
Longevity claims are stories or statements about people living for a very long time. Often, these claims are not supported by clear, official documents. Think of it like a rumor about someone's age. It might be true, but it needs to be checked.
Why Do People Claim Extreme Ages?
People might claim to be very old for different reasons. Sometimes, it's a mistake in records. Other times, it might be a family story passed down. In some cultures, being very old is seen as a sign of wisdom or good fortune. However, without proof, these claims remain just that – claims.
How Are Ages Verified?
To prove someone's age, researchers look for official documents. These can include birth certificates, marriage licenses, census records, or even old school papers. These documents help to confirm when and where a person was born.
The Importance of Official Records
Official records are super important for verifying age. They provide a clear paper trail. Without these records, it's very hard to know for sure how old someone really is. This is why many longevity claims are not officially accepted.
Who Verifies Ages?
Groups like the Gerontology Research Group (GRG) are like detectives for age. They carefully check all the documents. They make sure everything matches up before they say an age is "verified." This process helps to create accurate lists of the oldest people.
Who Are the Oldest Verified People?
While many people claim to be very old, only a few have had their ages fully proven. These individuals are called "supercentenarians" if they reach 110 years old.
The Oldest Person Ever
The oldest person ever whose age was officially proven is Jeanne Calment. She was from France. Jeanne lived to be an amazing 122 years and 164 days old! Her life spanned over two centuries, from 1875 to 1997.
The Oldest Living Person (at the time of writing)
The oldest living person whose age has been independently verified is Kane Tanaka. She was born in Japan. Kane Tanaka was born on January 2, 1903. Her long life is a testament to human longevity.
What's the Limit for Claims in This Article?
This article focuses on claims up to 130 years old. Any claims higher than that are usually considered myths or very old stories that are almost impossible to prove. The goal is to look at claims that are still somewhat believable, even if they lack full proof.
