Genealogy Chat

I know this may sound really stupid but could someone please tell me what the difference is between a second cousin and a cousin twice removed? Thanks, Amy

Amy John and Jim are cousins. They both marry and each has a daughter. John's daughter is called Jane and Jim's is called Joan. John and Joan and Jim and Jane are first cousins once removed - ie one generation removed from first cousins. Jane and Joan are second cousins because their parents were first cousins. nell

Thanks Nell

Your second cousin would have the same great grandparents as you. Your cousin twice removed would be your cousin's grandchildren (two generations away from cousins) Hope this makes sense. Kath. x

There seems to be some debate over the terms as we don't tend to use them very much. But the way I had learnt the meanings is the opposite to Nell's explanation.

http://www.duerinck*com/consangu.html replace * with a .

So if my great grandma and 'Xs' grandma were cousins, then how would me and 'X' be related?

look at that website - it makes it all quite clear with a simple matrix PS. You have to go back to the 'common ancestor'

Thank you - i will look at the website. Amy

I'd say you were third cousins once removed. Kath. x

You are 'X's 2nd cousin once removed if I worked it back correctly ... For your ggma and X gma to be cousins means they were the offspring of siblings, sooooooooooo theres 2 'g's on your side and only 1 on 'X's.... the '2' gives you 2nd cousins, and the difference in 'g's of 1 gives you the number of generations removed .... I think ! No wait, I forgot the 'common ancestor', so you have to add another 'g' each side so its 3-2 - Kathleen is correct.

Thank you for your help, i looked on the website and have printed out a copy of the table because it was very useful and i will probable need to use it again. Amy