The Tweed
family – comprising seven brothers and five sisters – are aged between 76 and
95 became Guinness World Record holders, confirming their place in the history
books. Between them, they have 33 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren and 17
great-great-grandchildren, and live across the UK.
The brothers and sisters are: Elsie, 95, Reginald, 92,
Robert, 91, Cynthia, 89, Ralph, 87, Noel, 85, Eric, 83, Ronald, 82, Malcolm,
81, Valerie, 79, Phyllis, 78, and Eunice 76. A black-and-white photo taken in
1939 shows the siblings in the back garden of their three-bedroom council house
with parents Flo and Percy.
Brewery drayman Percy and barmaid Flo brought up their
large family in Coventry and had a staggering 16 children in 21 years. Four of
the siblings have since died and some of the rest have moved further afield,
living in Wolverhampton, Leicester, and Wales. Their mother Flo died aged
59 in 1956 and dad Percy was 73 when he died in 1958.
The Tweed’s world record for the oldest family was
officially dated on November 25 last year when their combined ages totalled
1,019 years and 336 days (a combination of their years and additional
days). The 12 siblings remain close and still meet up every year at their
gigantic family gatherings.
Speaking about her family’s history the third youngest
child Valerie McCaffrey, 79, said, “It is incredible to think we are the
oldest family in the world. I knew we were a big family but to be over 1,000
years old is a remarkable achievement. Growing up was fun all being in the same
house together.
I think 23 months was the longest time our mother went
without being pregnant. But there wasn’t really any television in those days.
We all keep in touch and we are having a big family gathering in June for my
80th birthday. It is great when we all get together.
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