Genealogy Chat

To take that a step further, note the no of g's for each of you back to the common ancestor.

Grandparent = 1 g, great Grandparent = 2 g's and so on.

If the no of g's is the same then that is the degree of cousins you are. So, if the common ancestor for both of you is your great grandfather = 2 g's you are second cousins.

If the no of g's is different, then the lesser number gives you the degree of cousins. Then subtract one from the other, this gives you the level of remove, as in the explanation in the previous post but one.

Example:-

Common ancestor for you is your great great grandmother = 3 g's
Common ancestor for your 'cousin' is her grandmother = 1 g

Least no of g's = 1, difference = 3-1= 2

So you are first cousins, twice removed

If you count the generations of you to the common ancestor, and count the generations for them to that common ancestor, there's a difference of 2 in the counts.

A child of your first cousin would be your first cousin, once removed because it's the next generation. A child of that child would be your first cousin twice removed.
Second cousins would be the same generation. If you and your first cousin each had a child the children would be second cousins.

Thanks Joy and Pat

Do a google search for lots of simple explanations and examples.

Removed means a generation difference.

Would it be possible for someone to explain the meaning of the term - Twice removed, is it the same as second cousin?