This group is designed to be an informative data collection of lists and photographs regarding the world's oldest people (108+). Only proven cases will be listed in the "official" section; other cases may be organized separately. The purpose is to inform the public regarding an area that has been lacking by organizing disparate data into a quantitative approach, while still maintaining a qualitative flavor. In other words, photos will be organized by the age of the individual; false cases will be disallowed or posted separately. It is also hoped this will serve as an opportunity for previously unknown cases to be found.

The official world record for the oldest proven individual remains 122 years, 164 days in the case of Jeanne Calment of France (Feb. 21, 1875-Aug. 4, 1997).

The "world's oldest person" according to Guinness World Records and the Gerontology Research Group was Edna Parker of the United States, born April 20 1893. Edna became America's oldest person on Feb 14 2007 and became the world's oldest on Aug 13 2007. However, Edna died Nov 26 2008. Guinness World Records has not yet announced the new titleholder.

Pictured for July 2009 is Tomoji Tanabe of Miyazaki prefecture, Japan. Born Sept 18 1895, Tanabe became the world's oldest man on January 24, 2007, aged 111 years 128 days, later recognized by Guinness World Records as the titleholder in June 2007. Having held the title for two years, making it to 113 and one of the ten oldest men of all time, Mr Tanabe passed away June 19, 2009, aged 113 years 274 days. For a time, Tanabe seemed to be in good health and even he himself thought he might challenge some of the all-time records, but it was not meant to be. At his death, the last male left from the year 1895 was ranked just 7th-oldest on the world list, and his death left no males in the top ten. A true longevity competitor, whose passing leaves us a bit chastened.

Peak World's Oldest people group membership is 917 subscribers as of July 3 2009.