Twins and multiples are amazing, here we have selected just some of the official world records as of 2015! See the complete list here.
Most consecutive generations
Three families hold this record: Within the Rollings family (UK) there have been four consecutive generations of twins born from 1916- 2002. The first were Elizabeth and Olga Rollings (b. 3 December 1916) born to George and Jayne Rollings. The second generation saw Margaret and Maureen Hammond (b. 20 July 1950) born to William and Gwendoline Hammond (neé Rollings) – both were nieces to Elizabeth and Olga Rollings. The third generation twins were Fay and Fiona O’Connor (b. 26 February 1977) born to Terrence and Kathleen O’Connor (nee Hammond) – both were nieces to Margaret and Maureen; and finally on 12 January 2002, Kacie and Jessica Fawcett were born to Darren and Lucy Fawcett (O’Connor) – nieces to Fay and Fiona.
Within the Taylor family (USA) there have been four consecutive generations of twins born from 1919 – 2002. The first were Gail and Dale Ritchie Taylor (b. 19 October 1919) to Jedidiah and Margaret (neé Ritchie) Taylor. The second generation saw Janet and Joyce Taylor (b. 5 February 1955) to Gail and Jean (neé Carpenter) Taylor. The third generation twins were Debra and Daniel Haroldsen (b.4 September 1981) to Brian and Janet (nee Taylor) Haroldson and finally on 19 May 2002, Nathan and Alexander Bartholoma were born to Christopher and Debra (neé Haroldsen) Bartholoma.
Within the Sims family (UK) there have been four consecutive generations of twins born from 1931 – 2013. The first were Margaret and Joyce Sims (b. 03 April 1931) to Sidney and Cicely (neé Bridger) Sims. The second generation saw Keith and Kevin Garrad (b. 22 June 1953) to Kenneth and Joyce (neé Sims) Garrad. The third generation twins were Melanie and Sherrill Garrad (b. 15 May 1978) to Kevin and Karen (neé Gray) Garrad and finally on 13 November 2013, Clara and Jessica Gwynne were born to Christopher and Melanie (neé Garrad) Gwynne.
Most Twins in a Class
The most sets of twins in the same academic year at one school is 24 pairs, who are all enrolled in grade 5 at Highcrest Middle School, Illinois, USA, in the academic year 2012-2013.
Longest Seperated Twins
The longest separated twins are Elizabeth Ann Hamel (née Lamb, USA) and Ann Patricia Hunt (née Wilson, UK) born on 28 February 1936 in Aldershot, UK. Elizabeth and Ann were reunited in Fullerton, California, USA on 1 May 2014 after 77 years and 289 days of separation. The twins Ann Patricia Hunt and Elizabeth Hamel were born to unmarried mother Alice Lamb in Aldershot, Hampshire, UK, on 28 Feb 1936. A decision was made to separate the twins for adoption, and Ann grew up unaware of her sister Elizabeth, who now lives in Portland, Oregon, USA.
Most sets of Twins
The first wife (died ante 1770), of Feodor Vassilyev (b. 1707–c.1782), a peasant from Shuya, Russia, gave birth to 16 sets of twins.
Barbara Zulu of Barberton, South Africa bore 3 sets of girls and 3 mixed sets in seven years (1967–73).
Anna Steynvaait of Johannesburg, South Africa produced 2 sets within 10 months in 1960.
Heaviest Triplets
The heaviest triplets weighed 10.9 kg (24 lb) and were born to Mary McDermott (UK) on 18 November 1914.