Cousin

File:CousinTree.svg

A family tree showing how each person is related to the orange person.

In genealogy, a cousin is a relative, other than an ancestor or descendant, who shares a common ancestor. The word cousin is often used to refer to a person's first cousin - the child of someone's aunt or uncle.

How the removed cousin system works

• A first cousin is someone who shares the same grandparent(s) as you, but not either parent; the child of your aunt or uncle.
• A second cousin is someone who shares the same great-grandparent(s) as you, but not parents or grandparents
• A third cousin is someone who shares the same great-great-grandparent as you, but not parents, grandparents or great-grandparents

etc.

A first cousin once removed can be either:

1. The child of your first cousin
2. The first cousin of your parent

A second cousin once removed can be either:

1. The child of your second cousin
2. The second cousin of your parent

If you have a first cousin once removed, then you are also the first cousin once removed of that person. If you have a second cousin once removed, then you are also the second cousin once removed of that person. Your second cousin's children are the third cousins of your children.

Each time it is removed once, that person will go one generation down or up. Each time it is removed twice, that person will go two generations down or up.

Other websites

• Ancestry.com - cousin removal
• Geni.com - Defining the Genealogical Term, 'Removed'
• SearchforAncestors.com - Cousin Relationship Calculator
• Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter - What Is "Second Cousin Once Removed?"