In September 2023, LongeviQuest’s Global Validation Commission conducted a review of the documentation for the former world’s oldest living person titleholder, Mrs. Johanna Booysen of South Africa. After reviewing the documentation submitted by Jimmy Lindberg, the Commission concluded that the validation was inaccurate.

Booysen was born in Heidelberg, Gauteng, South Africa. Her claimed date of birth was 17 January 1857. She passed away on 16 June 1968, at the claimed age of 111 years, 151 days. Around the time of her death, her age was validated, and she was included in the 1970 edition of the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s oldest living person.

For decades after her passing, it was widely believed that she assumed the title of the world’s oldest living person on March 21, 1968, following the death of the 111-year-old British man, John Mosley Turner. However, in May 2023, LongeviQuest validated the age of 113-year-old Narcissus “Narcissa” Rickman from North Carolina, USA, who had passed away in October 1968. Since she was born before both Turner and Booysen and outlived them both, she was posthumously recognized as the world’s oldest living person of that time, thus reclaiming the title that Booysen had held for over 50 years.

However, with the discovery of new documentation this year, it has come to light that Booysen was not even a supercentenarian, let alone one of the oldest living people in the world. Her actual date of birth was determined to be January 17, 1867, based on details from her baptismal record. This makes her precisely ten years younger than her previously validated age.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Agnes Fair at 110 years old. She was an American longevity holder believed to be the first supercentenarian from Tennessee, USA.

Agnes Fair was born on 10 February 1858 in Dewitt, Michigan, USA, to parents James Green Pike and Ann Matilda Simmons. Unfortunately, both of her parents passed away when she was about to turn six years old. She became an orphan and was placed under the care of her aunt.

In 1876, Agnes married James Eugene Fair (1847-1927) and the couple had two daughters and a son. In the same year, they relocated to Knoxville and established a foundry in the city.

At the age of 96. (Source: The Knoxville News-Sentinel)
At the age of 96.
(Source: The Knoxville News-Sentinel)

When she was in her 80s, she was diagnosed with a heart condition that made her bedridden. With her limited mobility, Agnes could only sit up with the aid of a wheelchair. She was living with her daughter until her daughter passed away in March 1963. After that, she moved into the Kingston Pike Nursing Home in Knoxville.

Upon her validation, it was revealed that in February 1968, Agnes became the first supercentenarian in Tennessee, USA.

Agnes Fair passed away in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA, 14 March 1968, at the age of 110.

For more information, please view Agnes Fair’s Directory Profile here.

LongeviQuest is pleased to announce the age validation of Narcissus Rickman at 113 years old. She was born as Narcissus Elizabeth Jane Nicholson on 13 September 1855 in Transylvania County, North Carolina, USA.

It is believed that she was the oldest living person in the world before she passed away on 21 October 1968 in Hendersonville, Henderson County, North Carolina, USA. It is also stated that she is the fourth recorded person to reach the age of 113.

Narcissus is one of the 11 children of Rebecca Glazener and Evin Pearson Nicholson, who is a participant in the American Civil War (1861-1865).

On her 108th birthday in 1963. (Source: The Asheville Times)
On her 108th birthday in 1963.
(Source: The Asheville Times)

She married Nicholas Osborne Rickman in 1882 with whom she shared parenting their four children while she was teaching at Sunday School.

She was survived by her three daughters, 20 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren, and an unknown number of great-great grandchildren upon her passing. LongeviQuest extends their congratulations to the family of Mrs. Rickman on this posthumous recognition.

For more information, please view Narcissus Rickman’s Directory Profile here.