When working with older records, be aware that the meaning of the word "cousin," along with the meanings of other relationship terms, has changed over time.
When someone says “Oh, he is a first cousin twice removed” is there instant recognition of his perch on the family tree? Usually not.
Different Contexts for “Cousin”
In some societies, usually centuries ago—as in Biblical times—the word cousin didn’t necessarily imply blood relationship. It could refer to members of a family that were longtime neighbors, or even to a friend.
We still use the word cousin in differing contexts.
Genealogists who bear the same surname but do not know if there is a common ancestor, often call each other “kissin’ cousins”.
Some people who know they are related, but don’t know or understand the degrees of relationship, just call each other cousin.
Cousins Who Are Blood Relatives
Here are definitions of cousins who are blood relatives:
- A first cousin is the child of the sibling of one of a person’s parents. First cousins have a common set of grandparents.
- A first cousin’s child is not a second cousin, but instead is a first cousin, once removed.
- Your mother’s first cousin is your first cousin once removed.
- The child of a first cousin once removed is a person’s first cousin twice removed, and a child of that first cousin twice removed is a first cousin three times removed.
- A second cousin is a grandchild of a sibling of a person’s grandparent. That second cousin’s child is a second cousin once removed and that cousin’s child is a second cousin twice removed, etc.
- Second cousins share a set of great-grandparents with each other, but do not have common grandparents.
- A third cousin is the great-grandchild of one’s great-grandparents.
- Second cousins, third cousins and fourth cousins, etc., are all in the same generation as each other. Cousins that are “removed” are in different generations than the person to whom the relationship is claimed.
The “Greats” and the “Grands”
The “greats” and the “grands” are relatives involved in the cousin relationship. Here is how it works:
- The grandchild of one’s brother or sister is a grand-nephew or grand-niece.
- The sister or brother of one’s grandparent is a great-aunt or great-uncle.
- The sister or brother of one’s great-grandparent is a great-grand uncle or great-grand aunt.
Isn’t this great? Or, is it grand?
SOURCES: Article by genealogy.com staff; “Cousins by the Dozens,” p. 11, The Second Boat, Vol. 2, No., 1, May 1981
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