Cousins: explained

Posted on: 24 September 2009

It's always puzzled me what constitutes a second cousin (and in turn, a third, forth, etc.). I've also heard the term "once/twice/three times removed" and never understood what it meant. If you're in the same boat, wonder no more! Following a discussion tonight I think I've now got it, and I will do my best to explain it.

We all know what a 1st cousin is. Your parents' siblings' children. Easy.

While we are on 1st cousin, any children that your 1st cousins have would be your 1st cousins (once removed). As they're your cousins (if you were to ignore, or remove the gap of a generation).

Now a 2nd cousin refers to the children of your parents' 1st cousins. If those 2nd cousins were to have children, they would be your 2nd cousins (once removed).

Now for probably the most confusing bit. Your parents' 1st cousins (the children of whom are your 2nd cousins, see above) are your 1st cousins (once removed) - the term removed goes both up and down.

To summarise, 1st cousins share a common grandparent, 2nd cousins share a common great-grandparent, and so on.

The last bit is confusing so I apologise if I lost you. If you followed and you've learnt something knew, glad I helped.

NB: To check out a nifty diagram, Wikipedia is at hand.