number of pregnancies/children

[Lancsliz]

My Grandmother gave birth to her first child 1889 - her last one was 1911, 22 years pregnant or just givin birth!
She had 12 children raised 10, two boys died around their 3rd birthday.  My father (child 11) said that she was ashamed of being pregnant again with the last 3  that she would not go outside the house, she was 44 when pregnant with her last child.

Lancsliz

[elin]

I have always been told that my Gt Grandparents had 26 children.  I came across this newspaper cutting a couple of years ago...there were only 24! 

[rutht22000]

My grandfather was 1 of 13 (11 survived infancy) and generally if there are big families they are between 10 and 15.   

But there's a family story of one of my great grandfather's cousins that has meant to have had 20 but I think this included losses as I've only found 12 so far.

[nanato5]

my grandmother had 16 children,my dad was second born
 8 boys and 8 girls,she was 5 foot nothing,very small frame,
and there is 14 still living,1930 she got married,
      there was no twins in the family.                                                                             eva

[Kim1980]

Kim, just finished reading the first book. Have you read all three of her books? I couldn't believe it when I read 25th pregnancy & thought that was very unusual for the 1950's. Also you wouldn't think her body would cope with that many pregnancies.

Lisa

I know and yet, if I remember correctly, they were a really happy family! Not sure I would be after having 25 kids.

I didn't realise there was another book. Actually just looked and there are two more - Farewell to the East End and In the Midst of Life - will have to check those out.

Thanks
Kim

[eadaoin]

the best my family can do is greatgranma who had 10, and reared 7.
OH's granma was one of eleven all of whom lived and thrived until one died of TB aged 25.

However, my son-in law's father was one of 16, and granny is still alive in her late seventies, having brought up her own family, and several of her grandchildren. Admittedly, she had the benefit of modern medicine.

eadaoin

[mrs.tenacious]

One of my ancestors had 15 children (no twins).

She had her first in 1847 at the age of 19, her last in 1870 when she was 42.

She died aged 78, and I believe out-lived one or two of the children.

Makes me feel tired just thinking about how hard it must have been for her, but she was obviously a toughie!

Mrs. T

[matt94]

My great-great grandmother Frances Gadd gave birth 13 times - she married aged 18 in 1882 and gave birth to:

Ada 1882
Emma 1884
Richard 1886-1886 (died aged 6 weeks)
Ethel 1887
Frances 1890-1890 (died aged 11 months)
William 1891-1892 (died aged 10 months)
Robert 1893-1893 (died aged 5 days)
Robert 1895
Charles 1897-1898 (died aged 12 months)
Frances 1899-1899 (died aged 20 mins)
Walter 1901
Alice 1903-1903 (died aged 6 months)
Frank 1905

So she and husband William lost 7 out of 13 babies, including Richard and Robert who both died of Spina Bifida.

I think this might be the most children born to anyone in my tree

Matt

[CBGenealogy]

One set of gg grandparents had 17, according to their own 1911 census return but family memory was of 22.  I'm looking into it