CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina centenarian is already considered the nation’s third oldest person, but newly uncovered research could make her the oldest.
Hester Ford was born in Lancaster County, South Carolina and she raised 12 children with her husband in Charlotte.
As Ford prepared for her 113th birthday Wednesday, WBTV in Charlotte reports that its research with Ford’s family uncovered census data suggesting Ford may need one more candle on her cake.
Ford believed she was born in 1905 though births weren’t officially recorded then, but the report says an April 1910 census record lists Ford as 5, meaning she could have been born in 1904.
Robert Young of the Gerontology Research Group, which tracks supercentenarians, says they’ll review evidence the family submits and consider switching rankings if it’s strong enough.