The story of the Jim twins is one riddled with strangeness. The twins were separated at birth, grew up without having a clue about each other's existence, and yet, in a bizarre twist of fate, they lived as if their connection transcended time and space.
The similarities between them start with the mere fact of their being twins, but go much, much further than that. The actual number of things they had in common is startling, and little could they imagine when they met, that they were leading almost identical lives unbeknownst to them. What could possibly be at work here? Let's find out!
Their Adoptive Parents Gave Them the Same Name
Two families adopted the twins separately when they were only three weeks old. Their parents were excited to welcome a new member to the family and they were eager to name their child. They were two unrelated families, the Lewis family, and the Springer family.
Despite the families not knowing each other, they both decided on the same name; James. Friends and family would call James Springer and James Lewis by the short version of their name; Jim. This is how the story of the Jim twins begins. Their shared name was only one of many similarities.
They Both Went Through A Divorce
Now, we know that with the current divorce rate estimated at 50% in the United States, this is could just be a coincidence. However, keep in mind that the twins were born in 1940, and when they grew up and became adults, ending a marriage was not as commonplace as it is now.
They both got married only to later end the relationship, and later on, found love again and remarried. However, this wasn’t the most peculiar thing; their wives also shared a similarity that would completely surprise them when they met and started comparing their life stories.
Their Unique Situation Drew Scientists
The similarities between the brothers were so vast that they drew attention from scientists and the University of Minnesota was in the process of conducting an in depth twin study. Identical twins were of special interest to them, and so it's no wonder why the unique case of the Jim twins caught their eye.
They have published numerous scientific papers and material in which the Jim twins are often referred to. After all, they’re one of the most extreme cases that have ever been known. Although their lives were not completely identical, the number of parallel circumstances they both shared is hard to ignore.
An Exact Copy Of Jim Lived 40 Miles Away
Both twins grew up in the state of Ohio, and they lived most of their lives less than 40 miles away. However, in a country in which you find everything you need within your immediate community, the odds of them meeting by chance were very low.
During their earliest years, they had no idea that they had a twin. Yet only a few miles away, an exact copy of themselves was going to high school. Despite this, more than 30 years would go by before they finally got to meet each other.
They Both Had A Dog With the Same Name
It is definitely not uncommon for children to have pets while growing up. Animal rescue advocates even encourage people to adopt abandoned dogs and cats and they make great company. In the case of the Jim twins, they both had a childhood pet. Pretty normal right? Well, wait till you see this!
While their dogs were different in appearance, both Jim Lewis and Jim Springer decided to name their respective dog, Toy. Not only is this name uncommon for a dog, but what are the odds that they both chose it for their four-legged companion?
They Were Put Up For Adoption In 1940
Little is known about the twin’s birth mom. All we know is that, after she gave birth to them, they were part of the system and couples looking to adopt them could do so. However, back in the 1940s, it was common to separate twins, as this would increase their chances of being adopted.
This process was no different with the Jim brothers. The Lewis family lived in Lima, Ohio, while the Springer family lived in Piqua. Both families knew that they had adopted a twin but had different information regarding the fate of the other brother. They focused on their child and didn’t research any further.
They Shared The Same Affinities And Skills
As the Jim twins were receiving a basic education, they showed similar traits. Of course, no one could know this as they were living in different towns, however, when they met, they found out that their brains functioned in the same way concerning certain matters, something that scientists found compelling.
As it turns out, both twins had an affinity for math. Furthermore, they were also quite good at carpentry. However, both of them were not that good at spelling. These similarities would eventually play into their chosen jobs, which were not identical but close enough.
Their Adoptive Mothers Had Different Information Regarding The Other Twin
Both moms were aware that their son was born with a twin. However, the information they had was vastly different. The Springer mom thought that the other brother was in poor health and had died. However, the Lewis mom had received a lot more information.
She knew the other twin was alive. Also, when she went to finalize the process of adopting her Jim, she overheard when someone stated that the other brother’s name was Jim as well. This information would be crucial decades later for the reunion of the brothers.
They Both Named Their Sons Alan
When Jim Lewis and Jim Springer became parents, they were certainly very excited. As it happens, they both had a son, and decided to call their sons James, just like themselves. You might think that this is not that rare and you would be right, as many fathers pass down their name to their children.
Nonetheless, you are forced to think further when you take into consideration the middle name. Jim Lewis called his son James Alan, while Jim Springer named his child James Allan. What are the odds of this happening? The family resemblances regarding names don’t stop there; their wives shared more than they could have ever thought.
Their Wives Had The Same Names Too. Both Of Them.
As we mentioned earlier, they both got divorced from their first wife and later proceeded to remarry. However, this is not the end of it. Their wives had the same names! The name of their first wives was Linda, a very bizarre similarity.
Things get even more shocking when you learn the name of their second wives. Yes, their second wives shared the same name as well; Betty. This is truly difficult to perceive. Was it in their DNA to go after women who were named the same? How does this make sense? Perhaps it was only fortune, right?
They Drove The Same Car In The Same Color
So we have finally come to terms with the fact that their wives shared the same name, and their sons too, but can you believe that they even drove the very same car model? They both owned a light blue Chevrolet, which is another very specific thing for them to share.
They might be more connected than we initially thought. The fact that their rides were the same color makes it even more mind-boggling. Although Chevrolet is a fairly common brand, light blue is not the most popular color to pick. We wonder what else will catch us by surprise as we dig further into the lives of the Jim twins.
Even Their Vices Were Alike
Smoking was an ordinary practice when the twins were growing up. Although it’s now seen as hazardous and dangerous for one’s well-being, things were seen differently back then. Therefore, the fact that both twins were chain-smokers was not that surprising at the time. However, their brand choice was.
From dozens of cigarette brands, it turns out that they smoked the same brand of Salem cigarettes! Furthermore, they possessed the same taste regarding beer. They would both drink Miller Lite beers. These two brands were not necessarily the most popular, yet they both took a liking to them.
They Could Have Run Into Each Other At The Beach
A lot of people head to Florida when they desire to give themselves a nice vacation. Be it because of the cheap flights or the great beaches, Florida is the ideal destination for many. The Jim twins were no exception. What makes it odd is their exact choice of beach.
Out of hundreds of beaches, they both chose the same one, Pass-a-Grille. They would take their light blue Chevrolet and head down with the entire family for some fun under the Florida sun. It’s a wonder they didn’t run into each other while they were there!
They Both Anxiously Bit Their Nails
Some habits are not the best for you but you just can’t seem to help it. As it turns out, both Jim Lewis and Jim Springers were nail biters. This is a lot more common in women but men do it as well. Anxiety tends to be the underlying cause.
It turns out, they both shared this habit. Another thing they shared was a propensity for migraines. Both brothers would often get tension headaches, which could be quite debilitating. Probably something they wouldn’t have minded not having in common. They shared a similar general clinical history.
They Both Held Jobs Related With Security
Now this one is not as identical as their gene inheritance, however, it still corresponds. Both twins worked in the same area. While Jim Lewis worked as a security guard, Jim Springer worked as a deputy sheriff. This shows they were both interested in the security field.
We wouldn’t have been surprised if they had decided to start a business related to it! This was another subject that spiked the interest of scientists. After all, knowing if there is some genetic predisposition towards certain jobs could be quite enlightening for social studies.
They Both Wrote Loving Notes To Their Wives
The Jim twins even shared their romantic traits. After their wedding, they would leave loving notes throughout the house for their wives. This is not a strange thing to do, but the fact that both twins had this tendency does make you think. Especially considering that they didn’t usually express themselves the same way.
While Jim Lewis was leaving a note for his wife, Jim Springer was doing the same only 40 miles away! This connection is curious and it makes us wonder about the depth of the link between people in general, and even more in the case of twins.
Jim Meets Jim
When he was in his late thirties, Jim Lewis decided it was time to contact his twin. He knew that he was alive from what his mom had overheard about them sharing the same name. Lewis contacted a court so that he could get access to their records.
When Lewis found the information regarding Jim Springer he immediately called him. He was nervous about the entire thing and he simply asked him if he was his brother. They met in person less than a week later and were hugely surprised as they began talking.
They Were The Exact Same Height And Weight
Another striking similarity was the fact that both of them had the same height and weight. Doctors have explained that genetic and environmental factors influence a person’s height and weight. Nutrition plays an instrumental role in this as well. Furthermore, as we become adults we develop certain eating habits.
Despite this, in their late thirties, the twins were the same height and weight. This was one of the more curious findings, especially since they had the same body mass. This shows how influential genetics are in our lives and how much they determine.
One Jim Divorced And Married Sandy
A big difference between their lives is that Jim Lewis received divorce papers on a second occasion. After separating from his Betty, he found love again. He decided to get married a third time, with his brother Jim as his best man. We certainly hoped Springer’s second marriage didn’t run the same fate.
The fact that the brothers got so close is not surprising. During the Minnesota study, researchers found that they share very similar personalities. This explains how easy it was for them to create a bond after they got to know each other. Nature certainly overcame nurture on this one!
Not Everything About Them Was Identical Though
Despite their many similarities, each twin is an individual and some of the differences between them are quite obvious. One such difference is their hairstyle; while one of them styled it very straight, in a style resembling the Beatles, the other did his very differently.
The other Jim grew sideburns and combed it back, resembling a Johnny Cash style. Furthermore, one of the Jims expressed himself through speech, while the other found it easier to do it by writing. That said, these are but details in a sea of similarities that confounds the mind and challenges our concept of human connection.