Cousins

[Jane Masri]

I seem to be full of questions latey

How do you determine, second, third cousins et?  And how is the term 'removed' used in this context?

One of those questions I've always wanted to know the answer to even pre- research days,

jane

[Little Nell]

Hi Jane,

Cousins as you know share a common ancestor - first cousins share grandparents i.e their parents were siblings.  The children of two first cousins are second cousins.  Second cousins therefore share great grandparents etc.  The removed bit is to show how many generations difference there are between you.  You must work out the number of generations between you and the common ancestor, as well as between the cousin and the common ancestor.  The number of generations equals the once, twice etc part.  Hope that makes sense.

Nell

PS I am very proud to say that I have a tenth or eleventh cousin who shares the passion for family history - discovered when we both visited a church connected to the family on an ancestor hunt.

[Jane Masri]

Thanks Nell,
I've read what you've written, but I'll have to draw diagrams to see how that really works that way I might get my hear round it!

It's lovely you have someone who can share your passion.  Does it halve the researchwork ?
Jane

[Adi1962]

Here are a couple of sites that may help - there are a few tables.

http://www.geocities.com/look4whittens/cousinfinder.html

http://www.hayward-logan.com/Genealogical_Charts_Tools/relating_cousins.htm

http://www.borisbrooks.com/genealogy/cousins.htm

http://www.genealogy.com/16_cousn.html?Welcome=1090685064

Should help you draw your own chart.

Adrian

[Jane Masri]

Thanks Adrian, they were great sites, very useful.  Now if someone walks up to me & says, 'hi, I'm your third cousin twice removed', I can whip out a trusty chart and know what they are talking about, 
Jane