Longevity 1Elderly population in 1911
Longevity
Original title: Longevidade
Statistical entry on longevity in the district of Funchal, giving the 1911 census counts of people over 80 by municipality and age band, notable centenarians, and estimates of average life expectancy.
1Elderly population in 1911
In 1911 there were, in the whole district of Funchal, 586 men and 868 women over the age of 80, distributed as follows:
| Municipality | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | |
| Funchal | 142 | 273 |
| Câmara de Lobos | 75 | 111 |
| Ponta do Sol | 76 | 122 |
| Calheta | 67 | 111 |
| Porto Moniz | 22 | 29 |
| São Vicente | 37 | 31 |
| Santana | 41 | 32 |
| Machico | 33 | 57 |
| Santa Cruz | 84 | 94 |
| Porto Santo | 9 | 8 |
Of these individuals, 385 men and 578 women were aged from 80 to 85; 126 men and 177 women were 85; 56 men and 76 women were from 90 to 95; 14 men and 32 women from 95 to 100; 5 men and 3 women from 100 to 105; and 2 women were over 105. In 1911 a woman aged 109 was living at Achada dos Judeus (‘Jews’ plateau’) in São Vicente.
The proportion of individuals aged from 80 to 100 or more, per 1,000 inhabitants, was as follows in that year, 1911:
| Municipality | Proportion per 1,000 inhabitants |
|---|---|
| Funchal | 8.24 |
| Câmara de Lobos | 9.23 |
| Ponta do Sol | 9.84 |
| Calheta | 8.88 |
| Porto Moniz | 11.62 |
| São Vicente | 7.96 |
| Santana | 7.20 |
| Machico | 6.46 |
| Santa Cruz | 8.90 |
| Porto Santo | 7.79 |
2Centenarians and life expectancy
In March 1920 a man aged 101 died in Madeira, in September another aged 106, and in December a woman aged 103.
Dr Mittermaier calculated the average length of human life in Funchal at 35.16 years, but according to some calculations we made some time ago, this average rises to 39.8. Dr Heberden, who was in Madeira in the 18th century, calculated the average length of human life for the whole island at 39 years.
On longevity in mainland Portugal and the Adjacent Islands (Ilhas Adjacentes), see the Censo da População no. I of December 1911 (part 4); Lisbon, 1914.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 02Place
Places mentioned · 11
- Calheta
Listed in the 1911 longevity statistics.
Calheta is a town, parish and municipality on Madeira's south-west coast and one of the island's oldest settlements. The Elucidário covers its name, early settlers such as Pedro Berenguer, its church and many chapels, including one of a former Franciscan convent, and the 1834 riot.
- Câmara de Lobos
Listed in the 1911 longevity statistics.
Parish west of Funchal. The Elucidário traces its name to Zarco's discovery voyage and describes its churches, chapels and collegiate chapter, early settlers, fishing community and renowned vineyards. It also records the parish's localities, boundaries, levadas and population.
- Funchal
Municipality with the largest number of people over 80 in 1911.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Machico
Had the lowest proportion of over-80s in 1911.
The parish of Machico was the landing place of the discoverers Zargo and Tristão Vaz and the seat of the captaincy of Machico; the parish was founded c. 1450. The Elucidário covers its clergy and stipends, chapels, historical events, mineral springs, localities, population and notable natives.
- Ponta do Sol
Listed in the 1911 longevity statistics.
South-coast parish and municipality, settled from about 1440 by Rodrigo Enes 'o Coxo'. Its parish church of Nossa Senhora da Luz holds a triptych. The Elucidário also records its quay of 1848, paid for by the council, and the royal visit of 1858.
- Porto Moniz
Had the highest proportion of over-80s per thousand inhabitants in 1911.
North-western parish and municipality with a quay and a tolerable port that serves as a good landing when southerly winds close the south coast. It has one of the oldest Magdalene chapels in northern Madeira, whose feast falls on 22 July. It was the birthplace of Dr Manuel Gomes Jardim.
- Porto Santo
Listed in the 1911 longevity statistics.
An island of the archipelago, settled alongside Madeira and forming one of the three captaincies. It has always constituted a single parish, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Piedade, whose church was repeatedly sacked. The Elucidário records the Moorish pirate raid of 1617, its own Misericórdia and a rainwater channel built on this drought-prone island.
- Santa Cruz
Listed in the 1911 longevity statistics.
Santa Cruz is a parish and one of Madeira's oldest settlements, named after a cross Zarco had raised there at the discovery. The Elucidário covers its early ecclesiastical history, collegiate church, chapels, noble settlers and localities.
- Santana
Listed in the 1911 longevity statistics.
Santana is a parish on Madeira's north coast, praised as the most picturesque of the north. It was created from São Jorge in the 16th century, and the entry covers its settlement, parish priests, church, localities and population.
- São Vicente
Listed in the 1911 longevity statistics.
São Vicente is described as the largest and most populous parish of northern Madeira and the seat of the only town on the north coast. The Elucidário covers its settlement, church history, localities and landscape, and the deadly landslide of 1929.
People
People mentioned · 02-
Physician who was in Madeira in the 18th century and estimated average life expectancy on the island at 39 years.
-
Physician who calculated the average human lifespan in Funchal at 35.16 years.