Week 13: #52Ancestors – Light a Candle
By Eilene Lyon
Both my parents turn 87 this year. I have no way of knowing if they will make it to 90 or not (we do hope so!), but there is some precedent for achieving that milestone or more in my family tree. This is just a list of my ancestors who made it to 90 and beyond, how old they were when they died, and their relationship to me.
Clare Ransom (Davis) Smith (1914-2004), 90, grandmother
Walter Eugene Gusso (1890-1980), 90, great-grandfather
Mary (Paul) Reams (1836-1926), 90, 2nd great-grandmother
Emma Christina (Schaaf) Dills (1883-1974), 91, great-grandmother
Andreas Mathias Nordt (1836-1927), 91, 3rd great-grandfather
Louisa (Huber) Wagner (1736-1827), 91, 5th great-grandmother
Nancy (Dean) Smith (1797-1889), 92, 3rd great-grandmother
Amy (Moon) Maxson (1771-1866), 94, 5th great-grandmother
Nancy (Ary) Self (1804-1900), 96, 4th great-grandmother
Martin R. Smith (1823-1921), 98, 2nd great-grandfather
Sophia (Eddinger) Livengood (~1774-~1871), 97-100, 4th great-grandmother
Feature image: Richard Burlton on Unsplash
Myricopia 
Wow! You have some great longevity in your DNA. Quite amazing.
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I’m starting to feel optimistic about my chances for a long life.😁
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💗
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Wow! My mother and her sister lived to 97. So did their mother, whose own mother lived to 94 (until my freshman year of college). Dad’s mother lived to 93. My husband’s mother will be 100 come September!
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That’s real longevity running in your family! Lucky you.😊
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Happy Birthday to the bride and groom!
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I’ll pass along your good wishes.😊
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Please do. 🙂
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You’re lucky!
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I hope I stay lucky!
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Well, there is hope for a long life for you! I’m reading the book The Measure just now and it’s about everyone in the world receiving these boxes with a string. The length of your string indicates how long you will live. The longer the string, the longer your life. I’m not so sure I’d open my box.
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I would prefer not having a finite measure of my time on earth. I want to go fast and painlessly! Ha.
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Me too!
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👍
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That’s quite a record! My mother made it to 95 (though I would not wish her last two or three years on anyone) and her younger sister will be 90 in August. Most other relatives were 70s/80s. Scares me sometimes how little time there is to go.
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I’ve been hoping for 100 or more, but quality of life matters to me. At only 61, I’ve already experienced more deterioration than I ever expected this soon. I wish you many more active years, Anabel. I’m sure all those walks are keeping you fit.
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I’m hoping so!
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😊
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My maternal 3X great-grandmother lived to be 99; she was the exception.
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Well I wish you a cake on fire, many years from now!
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Thank you, Eilene!
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Old age is grand when in good health. Here’s to yours keeping on going in robust health.
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Thank you, Suzanne. I heartily agree on having good quality of life. My mother’s dementia is not something I ever wish to experience firsthand. My dad, on the other hand, is in great shape.
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Pleased your Dad is in good shape. Makes life easier for the family and of course him.
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It does make things easier.
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You have hardy genes in the family Eilene – you’ll be around for a long time too. My parents both would have turned 97 this year.
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I think I do. But there are some surprises, too. One line dies early from heart attack – took my brother at 55. My dad’s uncle was just 43. But I think I may get lucky. Sorry to hear your parents are gone now.
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My maternal grandmother and seven of her siblings died of heart problems, the youngest of a leaky valve at age 18. So that does worry me a bit, as it does you. I hope we are both lucky! Thank you.
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I hope so, too!
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Happy Birthday to them both. As a senior myself I wish them a healthy and happy one and many more which if I was a betting person, I’d take that bet. 🙂
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Thank you, Judy.😊
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You have good genes!! My maternal great grandmother lived to 105 but she was the exception rather than the rule in my family.
Happy Birthday to your mom and dad!
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105! That’s impressive, even if not the norm. We can buck the trend.
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We can try!
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I would say you have good genes! My mother is currently 97….she seemed really young at 87!
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Yes, your mother has been rather lively, with all her painting and showings. We should all be so fortunate.
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Living to 91 in 1827? Wowsa, that is amazing longevity. I’m in awe of your kin!
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I noted a lot more women than men on this list, too.
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I’d say longevity certainly runs in your line, so there’s hope! Happy birthday to your folks!!
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Thanks, MB!
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