Revalidation of Elizabeth Watkins (10.03.1863–21.10.1973)

The GRG has recently performed revalidation research into former WOP titleholder Elizabeth Watkins. With the validation of Ettie Crist (14 February 1862 – 10 January 1974) of California, USA, and Laurence Entiope (9 December 1862 – 7 April 1974) of Martinique, France, Elizabeth no longer holds the WOP title at that time. Even so, an investigation was needed given the mid-life documents found in recent years that indicated she may have been younger than claimed.

Elizabeth was born Eliza Jane Rogers (as seen in the 1901 census) but was often called Elizabeth or Liza in the press during her period of media attention. In the last decade, doubts were cast on her age claim to 110. For instance, the November 1908 marriage document recording her marriage to William Watkins (she had been a spinster up until this point), gave her age as ‘35’, indicating birth in 1873. The 1901 Ireland census gave her age as ‘30’ indicating birth in 1870/1871. Similarly, the 1911 census gave her age as ‘40’, again pointing to 1870/1871.

Earlier census records in Ireland for the period we need are unfortunately not available. The 1881 and 1891 censuses, for instance, were pulped during the First World War due to paper shortages.

So the best outcome to solve this case once and for all would be to find some sort of birth record. Civil registration didn’t start in Ireland until January 1864, so it would need to be a baptism record. Knowing her parent’s names was very helpful – James Rogers, as noted on the marriage record, and Eliza Rogers, as noted in the 1901 census.

Given this information, a baptism record was found after much searching. No baptism for an Eliza or Elizabeth Rogers/Rodgers was located in the years around 1870 in Northern Ireland with known parent’s names. But in 1863 there was. Eliza Jane Rogers was born on March 10 1863 in Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, to James Rogers and Eliza Rogers, nee Preston. She was baptised May 13 1863 in a local Free Church.

In the same search, knowing the parent’s names and region of birth of her mother, a marriage record for the pair was found from December 1859 in her hometown.

The Gerontology Research Group confirms Mrs Watkins’ age was indeed true after all. Age deflation was common in mid-life at the time, especially for women who had not married until later than customary for the region.

Elizabeth Watkins claim to age 110 years, 225 days stands true after thorough re-evaluation.