Relationship terminology can be confusing, but we’ve compiled a guide to explain how you are related to that cousin three times removed.
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:
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!
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What type of cousins have the same grandmother but different grandfathers ie gramma had 2 husbands
Me and my friend have the same 3rd cousin, does that make us related?
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.
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?
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.
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
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.
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!
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.
MY GREAT GRANFATHER HAD 11 CHILDREN, WHAT ARE THEY TO ME?
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.
If someone’s great grandma is my great grandpa’s sister, what is that person to me?
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.
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.
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.
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? 🤦♀️🤔🙄😣
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.
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?
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?
Hi so my auntie is dating my friends uncle does that make us cousins or anything
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.