Familial Determinants of Sardinian Longevity: A Genealogical Approach

Graziella Caselli, Università di Roma "La Sapienza"
Lucia Pozzi, University of Sassari
Luca Deiana, University of Sassari

The aims of this paper are to discuss the centenarian’s validation and familial determinants affecting Sardinian longevity, through a genealogical approach. The paper will present the first results of a genealogical tree reconstruction of selected centenarians aged 105 and above who belong to specific communities, mostly situated in the province of Nuoro, the area with the highest centenarian rate and where the sex ratio is relatively more favorable to men. We included an accurate centenarian’s age validation which requires a very meticulous examination of a large amount of civil status records. For each centenarian we have to check: the birth, marriage and death (if he/she is dead) certificates; and the population register records. The same records have to be found for the centenarian’s parents, children, brothers and sisters. In addition we include a detailed examination of parish registers which represent a source of inestimable value for our purposes.