Guinness World Records can today confirm that Edith Ritchie and Evelyn “Evie” Middleton (née Rennie), born on 15 November 1909, are the world’s Oldest Living Twins.
The pair from Aberdeenshire, Scotland, celebrated their 102nd birthday in November 2011.
The twins, whose maiden name was Rennie, were born on a farm near Newburgh on 15 November 1909, when Edward VII was on the throne.
Although not identical, their mother always dressed them exactly the same. After leaving school, they worked on farms before leaving to start their own families.
Evelyn married William Middleton and had four children, 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.
Edith, married Nathaniel Ritchie and had four children, nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and three-great-great grandchildren.
The sisters have remained close throughout their life and now live together at Bonnyton House care home in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
Neither of the pair has ever travelled out of the UK. When asked her secret to a long life, Edith says “simple living, hard work and a good husband.”
The sisters were verified as being the new holders of the record after providing the necessary birth certificate and supplementary evidence needed by GWR for verification.
They succeed previous holders Lily Millward and Ena Pugh (nee. Thomas) (UK) who were born on 4 January 1910.
“Edith and Evelyn are a remarkable pair – when they were born, the likes of Mark Twain and Florence Nightingale were still alive, and we had yet to conquer the South Pole,” said Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday.
“They’re not just the oldest in the UK, they hold the world title. They’ve clearly benefitted from good genes, and a solid life-long friendship that only twins can truly understand.”