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How Are We Related? Navigating the Terminology

July 24, 2015 by Legacy Tree Genealogists 50 Comments

Relationship terminology can be confusing, but we’ve compiled a guide to explain how you are related to that cousin three times removed.

Relationship Terminology
How are we related?

That’s a question that we have been asked quite a bit lately, and sometimes determining that exact familial connection with someone else can be confusing.

  • What is the difference between a second cousin and a first cousin, once removed?
  • What does the “removed” mean, anyway?
  • If my mom has a cousin, how is he related to me?
  • Is my grandfather’s sister my great-aunt, or my grand-aunt?

If you have ever felt confusion over these terms, you are not alone!

Most of us know that our parents’ siblings’ children are our first cousins, and that our parents’ siblings themselves are our aunts and uncles. That’s easy enough to understand. It’s when you get to more distant connections that it becomes confusing.

If you share the same grandparents, there is no difference in the generations, so you are first cousins. If you share the same great-grandparents, you are second cousins. If you share the same great-great-grandparents you are third cousins, and so on.

However, if your grandparents are someone else’s great-grandparents, then you are first cousins once removed, because there is a generational gap between you. The thing to remember is that the “removed” is used when you and your relative are of different generations. For instance, you and your cousin’s child, or you and your father’s cousin are of different generations, so there is going to be a “removed” in a description of your relationship.

The numerical value, “once removed” or “three times removed,” counts back how many generations you have to go to find the common ancestor between you and that other relative.

For example, if your first cousin has children, those children are your first cousins once removed, because your grandparents are their great-grandparents (just one generation). If those children then have children, they are your first cousins twice removed, because your grandparents are their great-great-grandparents (which is two generations).

Similarly, your mom’s cousin is your first cousin once removed, because his grandparents are your great-grandparents. There is a generational difference. However, your mom’s cousin’s CHILD is your second cousin with no “removed” added, because the two of you share the same great-grandparents. There is no generational difference between the two of you, so there is no “remove.”

With regards to the difference between great-aunt, grand-aunt, etc. – this one is up to you! They’re just different terms that mean the same thing. The siblings of your grandparents can be called either your great-aunts and great-uncles, or your grand-aunts  and grand-uncles.

The following chart may be helpful:

Relationship Terminology

Looking to discover some of those great-great-grandparents? Trying to find out who your third cousin twice removed married? Wondering how your family is related to someone who shares your name? Legacy Tree Genealogists would be happy to help you discover the people you are related to and help you determine how you are related to them! Contact us to discuss your goals and get started!

 

Relationship terminology can be confusing, but we've created a guide to understanding just what those "once-removed" and "step" phrases actually mean!
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Legacy Tree Genealogists

Legacy Tree Genealogists

The team at Legacy Tree Genealogists has been helping clients worldwide discover their roots for over a decade. We're based near the world's largest Family History Library and connected with genealogists and archives around the world, and we love doing what we do! We also love sharing our genealogy tips with our readers.
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Comments

  1. John says

    February 22, 2020 at 8:33 am

    What type of cousins have the same grandmother but different grandfathers ie gramma had 2 husbands

    Reply
  2. T says

    June 23, 2020 at 10:18 pm

    Me and my friend have the same 3rd cousin, does that make us related?

    Reply
    • Jennifer says

      November 2, 2021 at 10:56 pm

      Depends on if that third cousin is related to you through the same people. They may be your third cousin on one side of their family, the side related to you, and they may be your friend’s third cousin on the other side of the family, the one not related to you.

      Reply
  3. Lexi Blickfeldt says

    April 17, 2021 at 4:36 am

    Ok so I’m confused. So I’m dating this guy and his name is Jacob Schleichardt. Jacob has a cousin named Bailey Lane and she’s related to Nate Lane and my cousin Mikayla is married now to Nate. Does that make me and Jacob cousins too or no?

    Reply
    • Eric Caudle says

      June 1, 2021 at 8:35 am

      We would love to help you but we would need some additional information. Please contact us by filling out the form on our home page https://www.legacytree.com. We can point you in the right direction and give you a free estimate if research is needed.

      Reply
  4. Karen D Smith says

    May 13, 2021 at 8:38 pm

    My 4th great grandparents Fielding and Delphia have a daughter Geneviere and a son Stephen.
    Stephen marries Nancy and they have a son, Sylvester.
    Geneviere marries Phillip and they have a daughter, Hannah.

    Sylvester and Hannah marry and have a son Cassius.

    Cassius is my Grandmother’s father.

    What is the relationship of Sylvester and Hannah to my grandmother other than her grandparents? Aunt and Uncle?

    Other than parents, what is the relationship of Sylvester and Hannah? 1st cousins?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Eric Caudle says

      May 15, 2021 at 8:28 pm

      If I understand your explanation correctly, Sylvester and Hannah would be great grand-aunt and great grand-uncle to your grandmother. You are correct, Sylvester and Hannah are first cousins. If you want to double-check this quick assessment, I suggest you contact us for a consultation session with a researcher.

      Reply
  5. Kim says

    July 7, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    My 6th great grand uncle is the same person as George Herbert Walker Bush’s 4th great grandfather. What is the relationship between me and George Bush?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Eric Caudle says

      July 9, 2021 at 11:13 am

      If we understand your question correctly, this would make you 4th cousins, twice removed. It is always interesting to find you are distant relatives to someone notable.

      Reply
  6. Greg Hanley says

    July 11, 2021 at 9:43 am

    MY GREAT GRANFATHER HAD 11 CHILDREN, WHAT ARE THEY TO ME?

    Reply
    • Beth Harrison says

      August 17, 2021 at 10:14 pm

      Hi Greg,
      If you would like research assistance, we are here to help. Our team conducts detailed, personalized research in millions of family history records, spanning hundreds of years to tell you who your ancestors were, where they lived and much more. To get started, please complete this form to request a free quote, and a member of our Client Solutions Team will reach out to you.

      Reply
  7. Delaney Thomsen says

    October 2, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    If someone’s great grandma is my great grandpa’s sister, what is that person to me?

    Reply
    • Beth Harrison says

      October 2, 2021 at 4:34 pm

      Hi Delaney, thank you for reaching out to us! Here is a link to a handy and free Legacy Tree Genealogy family chart that you can download. This should answer your question! If you would like any assistance, feel free to contact us on our Get in Touch page for a free estimate on family tree research.

      Reply
  8. Maria Madelyn Calibara says

    December 2, 2021 at 7:24 pm

    I’m confused. We don’t have the same grandparent’s but our grandparents are related (cousins). Fil’s grandma is related with Mad’s grandpa. Does it mean that Fil’s father is also related with Mad’s mother? How about us (children of both side)? What level of degree are we?
    Help me. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Beth Harrison says

      December 2, 2021 at 11:00 pm

      Hi Maria,
      We would love to help you but we would need some additional information (sometimes family histories can seem confusing, especially without detailed research). Please contact us by filling out the form on our Get in Touch page. One of our Client Solutions Specialists can point you in the right direction and give you a free estimate if research is needed.

      Reply
  9. MD says

    February 11, 2022 at 4:24 am

    My husband’s DNA test results show my mother is his 4th cousin. What does that make my husband to me? A 4th cousin, once removed? A 5th cousin? I’m so confused. Does that make my husband our daughter’s distance cousin as well? 🤦‍♀️🤔🙄😣

    Reply
    • Beth Harrison says

      February 13, 2022 at 3:33 pm

      Hi MD, DNA tests can yield confusing results for a variety of reasons. We have researchers who specialize in DNA that could pull data together and combine i with other resources to help fill in some of the blanks. Please contact our Client Solutions Specialists through the form on our Get in Touch page. They can point you in the right direction and provide a free estimate if research is needed.

      Reply
  10. Trinity Roberson says

    April 1, 2022 at 8:42 am

    So me and my best friend met in band class this year. Her Great Uncle is my 1st cousins dad what does that make her to me?

    Reply
  11. DH says

    April 6, 2022 at 5:06 am

    Through research, I have discovered that my maternal aunt married my 12th cousin on my father’s side. If I understand correctly, does that make his daughter, who is my first cousin on my mother’s side, my 12th cousin once removed on my father’s side? Also, how are my father and this uncle related?

    Reply
  12. Dylan says

    April 25, 2022 at 1:08 pm

    Hi so my auntie is dating my friends uncle does that make us cousins or anything

    Reply
    • Beth Harrison says

      April 26, 2022 at 10:18 am

      Hi Dylan, thank you for your question, although the answer is no – your aunt dating your friend’s uncle does not make you cousins. If you are interested in learning about your family history, please contact us by filling out the form on our Get in Touch page. We can give you a free estimate based on your needs.

      Reply
  13. Sam says

    November 17, 2022 at 5:39 pm

    What does it mean if my dads mom (grandma) gets married to my aunts mom, but my aunts husband is my dads brother??

    Reply
    • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

      November 21, 2022 at 12:50 pm

      In this case, your aunt’s mom would be your step-grandparent. If your aunt and your dad’s brother have any children, then your cousins’ maternal grandmother would also be their paternal step-grandparent.

      Reply
  14. Joanna says

    November 30, 2022 at 10:24 am

    If my grandpa had my child with someone but they never got married and she breaks up with him and gets with someone else and has 2 more kids then are her other 2 kids related to me whatsoever?

    Reply
    • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

      November 30, 2022 at 10:57 am

      How is the child that your grandfather had with this woman related to you? Is it your father or mother?

      Reply
      • Joanna says

        November 30, 2022 at 1:09 pm

        I didn’t mean to say my child I meant to say a child but anyways the child is my uncle aka my moms half brother

        Reply
        • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

          December 7, 2022 at 11:05 am

          Based on this description, you would not be biologically related to your half-uncle’s maternal half siblings.

          Reply
          • Joanna says

            December 7, 2022 at 12:49 pm

            so im not related to my uncles brothers??

          • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

            December 7, 2022 at 2:24 pm

            That is correct. Biologically you are not related to your half-uncle’s maternal half siblings.

          • Joanna says

            December 8, 2022 at 9:00 am

            thank goodness because I think his brother likes me

          • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

            December 8, 2022 at 2:09 pm

            That is helpful then to not be related:)

          • Joanna says

            December 9, 2022 at 1:00 pm

            But like if me and his brother ever got together wouldn’t that be weird?

          • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

            December 9, 2022 at 1:29 pm

            Not from a DNA standpoint since you aren’t biologically related. For family dynamics that would be a personal decision, I suppose.

  15. Mary says

    December 1, 2022 at 6:10 am

    Hi…so am dating this guy,,his father’s step mother is my auntie but from a step grandmother…are we related?

    Reply
    • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

      December 7, 2022 at 11:04 am

      Based on this description, you are not biologically related. So that’s good news since you are dating.

      Reply
  16. Tandy L. Amburgey says

    December 6, 2022 at 5:42 pm

    My 11th Great Grandfather is the 4th G. Grandfather of President James Madison and the 9th G. Grandfather of President Theodore Roosevelt. How then am I related to these two Presidents?

    Reply
    • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

      December 7, 2022 at 11:04 am

      Assuming that you descend from your common ancestor through the same spouse (rather than through another wife), you would be 5th cousins 7 times removed to James Madison and 11th cousins twice removed from Theodore Roosevelt. If you or they descend from a different spouse of your common ancestor, then they could be half 5th cousins 7 times removed or half 11th cousins twice removed respectively.

      Reply
      • Tandy L. Amburgey says

        December 7, 2022 at 9:44 pm

        Thank you! I wasn’t expecting such a quick response so I did the research and came to with the same as you. 5th Cousin 7 X Removed to Madison and Teddy Roosevelt’s 11th Cousin. Although I didn’t get the twice removed

        Reply
      • Tandy L. Amburgey says

        December 7, 2022 at 10:00 pm

        Would it make much of a difference that I am actually directly related to Sir Richards daughter Ann Williamson – Place? She is my 10th Great Grandmother. I assume this would just lower the numbers by one? Madison: 4th G. Grandfather 6 times removed and Roosevelt 10th Cousin once removed?

        Reply
        • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

          December 8, 2022 at 2:11 pm

          That is correct. What a fun family tree.

          Reply
          • Tandy L. Amburgey says

            December 8, 2022 at 7:44 pm

            Thank you! Actually this particular relationship is one of three places my Paternal Amburgey and Maternal Allen meets. Sir Richards Mother is an Alleyne “Allen” (directly related) and daughter Ann is related back to my 2nd G. Grandmother, wife of William “Tanner Bill” Amburgey. So related twice in this spot. Benjamin Franklin 5th G. G.G., Sir Isaac Newton 10th, Shakespeare 11th, Robert the Bruce 20th. Pocahontas 6th, All Stewart Kings of Scotland, King Richard II “The Lion Heart 18th, & dozens more back to 0530 AD.

          • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

            December 9, 2022 at 9:37 am

            That’s an incredible family tree with so many connections. Thanks for sharing.

        • Tandy L. Amburgey says

          December 9, 2022 at 11:06 pm

          Well, I have been working on my Relationship with Queen Elizabeth II and I have her as my 13th Cousin. Genetics are sometimes difficult to understand as I am closer to President Theodore Roosevelt and President James Madison. Well, happy that I at least watched the Funeral on TV. LOL.

          Reply
  17. Tandy L. Amburgey says

    December 9, 2022 at 2:19 pm

    I have about 21,500 people in my Tree so with that many connections people just keep coming up. I am working on Queen Elizabeth II now, starting with King Henry VII. But have found, so far, that we are related thru Mary Stewart Queen of Scots, (My 11th G. Grand-Aunt), for sure. Seems to be a direct line from there down to Queen Elizabeth II.
    If you don’t mind I could use your help to figure our exact relationship. If so I will give you my email incase I loose you: [email protected].

    Reply
    • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

      December 12, 2022 at 12:19 pm

      It may work best to set up a consultation with a genetic genealogist to be able to confirm and establish all of the relationships in question. You can schedule a consultation at: https://www.legacytree.com/genealogy-consultation. That way you get get all your questions answered at one time.

      Reply
      • Tandy L. Amburgey says

        December 12, 2022 at 3:03 pm

        Thank you! It rained all weekend so I spent some research time and did all the tracing myself and it took 15 connections to get to Elizabeth II and King Charles II, of present day. Turns out Queen Elizabeth was my 13th Cousin and that makes the King my 13 Cousin 1 X Removed. Also, along the way, found King Henry VIII as my 13th Great granduncle. I have always loved History, even since School and College, so this is fun.
        I am now going to search more on my 19th Great Grandfather; King Charles IV of Bohemia (1319-1378). He was King of Bohemia, King of Italy and Holy Roman Emperor. If interested, I’ll let you know.
        Tandy L. Amburgey

        Reply
  18. Unknown says

    December 12, 2022 at 1:11 pm

    so my mom and uncle have the same dad (my grandpa) but different moms so if my uncles mom has 2 sons with another man are her sons related to me?

    Reply
    • Heather - Legacy Tree Genealogists says

      December 19, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      I believe this is the same question you were asking before. Biologically you are not related to your half-uncle’s maternal half siblings.

      Reply
  19. Cheryl says

    January 11, 2023 at 8:31 pm

    Isaac and Adam are paternal first cousins.

    Isaac’s son Robert is my father.

    Neil is Adam’s son.

    What is my relationship to Neil?

    Reply
    • Anne Marie Vivienne says

      January 12, 2023 at 12:37 pm

      Hi Cheryl, thank you for reaching out to us in such a fun way! Here is a link to a handy and free Legacy Tree Genealogy family chart that you can download. This should answer your question! If you would like any assistance, feel free to contact us on our Get in Touch page for a free estimate on family tree research.

      Reply

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