Limit theorems for a general critical branching process

Abstract

A general branching process begins with an initial object born at time 0. The initial object lives a random length of time and, during its life-time, has offspring which reproduce and die as independent probabilistic copies of the parent. Number and times of births to a parent are random and, once an object is born, its behavior is assumed to be independent of all other objects, independent of total population size and independent of absolute time. The life span of a parent and the number and times its offspring arrive may be interdependent. Multiple births are allowed. The process continues as long as there are objects alive.