cousin

Anyone who has attended a family reunion can see there are tons of different types of cousins (first cousins, second cousins, cousins by marriage, you name it). While it is possible đồ sộ refer đồ sộ a number of extended family members simply as "cousins," this can actually mean a lot of things.

Whether you grew up with your cousins or are meeting them for the first time, it really helps đồ sộ know a bit about exactly how you're related. Use this simple cousin charts đồ sộ help you better understand genealogy terms lượt thích "first cousins," "second cousins," and "first cousins once removed."

Basic Types of Cousins

In the most basic sense, a cousin is defined as any relative by marriage or blood, especially one who is more distant than thở a sibling but shares an ancestor with you. Clearly, this includes a pretty big group of people, sánh it helps đồ sộ break cousin relationships down by type.

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The terminology used đồ sộ describe the relationship between cousins can be confusing, too. Everything has đồ sộ be adjusted đồ sộ reflect as many generations as needed, including third cousins, fourth cousins, and sánh on. These are some basic types of cousins đồ sộ help you keep the terms straight.

• First cousin - You and this person share a common grandparent.
• Second cousins - You and this person share a common great-grandparent.
• Third cousin - You and this person share a common great-great-grandparent (the grandparent of a grandparent).
• Fourth cousin - You and this person share a common great-great-great-grandparent (the grandparent of a great-grandparent).
• Cousin once removed - This person is the cousin of your parent or the child of your cousin (basically, a first cousin with one extra generation thrown in).
• Cousin twice removed - This person is the cousin of your grandparent or the grandchild of your cousin.
• Cousin by marriage - You and this person are cousins because of a marriage, sánh they could be the spouse of your cousin or your spouse's cousin.

What Is a First Cousin?

First cousins share a grandparent, either maternal or paternal (on your mom's side or your dad's side). The children of your uncles and aunts are your first cousins. Generally, you share both of a mix of grandparents, but you can also be half-first cousins who share only one grandparent.

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What Is a Second Cousin?

You and your second cousins share the same great-grandparents, either on your mom's side or your dad's side. You are descended from siblings in that family - your second cousin's grandparent is your grandparent's sibling. Understanding second cousins is much the same as understanding first cousins, except the family tree must go back one further generation.

Are Second Cousins Blood-Related?

Second cousins are blood-related because they are the children of first cousins. You share a common great-grandparent.

Can You Marry Your Second Cousin?

It is legal đồ sộ marry your second cousin in all US states, but around half of states prohibit or restrict marriage between first cousins. This is because studies show that the risk of birth defects in babies born đồ sộ parents who are first cousins is twice as high as babies born đồ sộ unrelated parents. This risk drops off dramatically with second cousins because they share less of the same autosomal DNA. Second cousins who have children together have no more risk of having a child with a birth defect than thở any other unrelated couple.

What Do You Call Your Parent's Cousin's Kid?

Your parent's cousin's kid is your second cousin. Your mom or dad and their mom or dad are first cousins, but you and this kid are second cousins.

What About Your Cousin's Kid and Your Kid?

Your cousin's kid and your kid are also second cousins. You and their mom or dad are first cousins, sharing grandparents. Your kid and your cousin's kid are second cousin, sharing great-grandparents.

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Cousins Removed

In addition đồ sộ the distinction between first cousins and second cousins, there is also the added designation of being "once removed." Being a "once removed" cousin means there is one generation separating you and your cousin. This could be one generation above yours or one generation below yours.

First Cousin Once Removed

You and your first cousins are all from the same generation, but when you talk about a different generation, you're talking about once removed. There are a couple of ways đồ sộ have a first cousin that is once removed:

• Your parent's cousin - Wondering what you Call your mom or dad's cousin? This person is your first cousin once removed.
• Your cousin's child - It can be a little confusing đồ sộ know what you Call your cousin's kid, but this child is your first cousin once removed as well.

Second 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. To have a second cousin once removed, you just need đồ sộ move out two generations:

• Your parent's second cousin - 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 thở you.
• Your second cousin's child - If you move down a generation, your second cousin's child would be your second cousin once removed.

First Cousin Twice 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:

• Your grandparent's cousin - If you ever wonder what you should Call your grandparent's cousin, this person is your first cousin twice removed.
• Your cousin's grandchild - If your first cousin has a grandchild, this kid is also your first cousin twice removed.

Second Cousin Twice Removed

You can extrapolate the family tree đồ sộ see how a second cousin can also be twice removed. There are two ways for this đồ sộ work:

• Your grandparent's second cousin - If your grandparent has a second cousin, this person would be your second cousin twice removed.
• Your second cousin's grandchild - The grandkid of your second cousin would be your second cousin twice removed too.

Keep Track of Your Cousins

Track your cousins as far back as desired by starting đồ sộ make a family tree. You can purchase family tree software or use a không tính phí family tree template đồ sộ draw your own family tree. This can be a great way đồ sộ really understand those cousin relationship, and it makes a great gift for your cousins too. After all, calling someone your first cousin or second cousin is all about naming your family connection.