How does second cousins work

You, your siblings, and your first, second,and third cousins are all of the same generation. This is because your parents and their generation are 1 above yours. This pattern continues throughout each generation. So, for example, a first cousin once removed is either the child of your first cousin or the parent of your second cousin.

Now that you know what to call your distant cousins, use the chart below click to enlarge to calculate your cousinship! You can also check out these other ways to calculate cousins. Download Cousin Calculator Chart Download High-Resolution Cousin Calculator Chart Note: These cousin naming-conventions are primarily used in English-speaking societies and may be different in other languages and cultures.

FamilySearch Blog. About FamilySearch. For Latter-day Saints. Ashley's grandpa, your great-uncle, is your grandma's brother. In addition to the distinction between first cousins and second cousins, there is also the added designation of being "once removed. This could be one generation above yours or one generation below yours. Since you and your first cousins, by definition, are all from the same generation, you wouldn't use the term "once removed" for your true first cousin relationships.

You would, however, use the term "first cousin once removed" to describe your relationship to your parents' first cousins. You could also explore the family tree in the other direction and your first cousin's child would be your first cousin, once removed.

To find a second cousin, once removed, use the same logic. Your mom or dad's second cousin would be someone they share great-grandparents with.

Your mom's second cousin or your dad's second cousin would be your second cousin, once removed because your parents are one generation older than you. If you move down a generation, your second cousin's child would be your second cousin, once removed. Since "removed" denotes the number of generations between you and a relative, "twice removed" means there are two generations separating you and your cousin.

This could mean two generations above you or two generations below you. Since you and your first cousins are from the same generation, you wouldn't use the term "twice removed" to describe them. You would use the term "first cousin, twice removed" to describe your relationship to your grandparent's first cousins or to the grandchildren of your true first cousins. Using the same First Cousin Twice Removed chart, you can extrapolate the family tree to see that if your great-great-grandma had a sister, her daughter's daughter would be your grandma's second cousin and your second cousin, twice removed.

Alternatively, your second cousin's grandchild would be your second cousin, twice removed if you went down the family tree. The terminology used to describe the relationship between cousins can be further extended to reflect as many generations as needed including third cousins, fourth cousins, and so on.

Cousins can also be related by blood or by marriage. To determine if you're cousins by blood, you'll need to know who birthed each family member to follow the blood line. Cultural norms and laws vary from state to state in the U.

Marrying a second cousin is legal in the U. Second cousins who have children together have no more risk of having a child with a birth defect than any other unrelated couple. Track your cousins as far back as desired by starting to make a family tree.

You can purchase family tree software or use a free family tree template to draw your own family tree. You might be surprised who you discover you're related to when creating family archives. For example, it was revealed in that Dick Cheney and Barack Obama are actually related - they're eigth cousins , albeit only by marriage.

Who Are Considered First Cousins? Draw a Family Tree You and Michelle are first cousins. First Cousin Example Family The easiest way to understand the relationships between cousins is with a hypothetical example.

Your maternal mother's grandmother and grandfather had two children: your mom and Danny. Cousin a. In other words, they are the children of your aunts and uncles. Second Cousin : Your second cousins are the people in your family who have the same great-grandparents as you.

Third, Fourth, and Fifth Cousins : Your third cousins have the same great-great-grandparents, fourth cousins have the same great-great-great-grandparents, and so on. Removed : When the word "removed" is used to describe a relationship, it indicates that the two people are from different generations.