COUSINS DEFINED

COUSINS DEFINED

Most dictionaries define “cousin” broadly as a close relative. Some are more specific, defining “cousins” as relatives who share common ancestors other than parents (that is, they share a grandparent, great grandparent, great-great grandparent, etc.).  Lawyers and genealogists have devised even more specific definitions, based on both “degree” and “removal.”

Degree (First, Second, Third, Fourth, etc.)

The degree indicates the number of generations between the cousins and their common ancestor.  For example:

First cousins share grandparents.

Second cousins share great grandparents.

Third cousins share great-great grandparents.

Fourth cousins share great-great-great grandparent etc.

(Note that the degree is always one more than the number of greats in the title.)

In this system, the degree is directly linked to the common ancestor, and is used to denote a direct descent relationship.  But what if my grandparents are your great grandparents?  Or if my great grandparents are your great-great-great grandparents?  How are we related?  This is where the "removes" come into play.

Removal (Once removed, twice removed, thrice removed, etc.)

The “removal” indicates the number of generations between any two cousins. 

For example, the children of your first cousins are your first cousins once removed. 

The grandchildren of your first cousins are your first cousins twice removed. 

The great grandchildren of your first cousins are your first cousins thrice removed.

Similarly, the children of your second cousins are your second cousins once removed, while the grandchildren of your second cousins are your second cousins twice removed.  The great grandchildren of your second cousins are your second cousins thrice removed, etc.

In this system, we see the following:

Descendants of my cousins are my first cousins with differing removals.

Descendants of my second cousins are my second cousins with differing removals.

Descendants of my third cousins are my third cousins with differing removals.

Descendants of my fourth cousins are my fourth cousins with differing removals.

In this system, “Removal” is always based within the original “Degree” of cousin relationship.  That is, the common ancestor sets the Degree (first, second, third, etc.) while the Removal is determined by the number of generations separating the cousins.  In figuring relationships, you first determine the generation of the common ancestor (degree) and then the removal.  On a family tree, this can be seen by the branching.  

In the examples above, if my grandparents are your great grandparents, you are my first cousin, once removed.  That is, you are the child of my first cousin.  In the second, example, your grandparent was my second cousin, and you are my second cousin, twice removed. 

Half Cousins:

Systems concerned with genetics, may use the term “half cousin.”  Just as “half” siblings share only one parent, half cousins share only one grandparent or one great grandparent, etc.  This distinction is often ignored.

Double Cousins:

When siblings marry siblings, (for example two sisters marry two brothers) their children have the same  grandparents.  These “double first cousins”(like siblings) share four grandparents, and are genetically as close as siblings.  

Does all this remind you of the very old country and western song, "I'm My Own Grandpaw?"