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What is a second cousin? Or a cousin twice removed? Discover how to work out cousin relationships with our chart
While tracing your family tree, it’s easy to tell what a first cousin or a great grandparent is – but how much do you know about the trickier cousin relationships? What is a second cousin, and how is it different from a cousin twice removed?
What are cousin relationships?
One of the most exciting parts of family history research is that it can lead you to meet new cousins from other branches of your family who are tracing the same common ancestors. You might find someone with the same relatives on their tree on a family history website, or match with a distant relative through DNA testing.
When working out your cousin relationships to distant relatives, a crucial principle is that the terms first cousin, second cousin etc refer to your shared ancestors.
What is a second cousin?
A second cousin is someone who has the same great grandparents as you, a third cousin has the same 2x great grandparents, and so on. Your first cousins are those who share the same grandparents as you.
What is a second cousin once removed?
However, the term ‘removed’ indicates the difference in generations in the cousin relationships. Your second cousin once removed is the child or parent of your second cousin, because they are one generation removed from you. Your second cousin twice removed is the grandparent or grandchild of your second cousin, because they are two generations removed.
How to work out cousin relationships with our chart
Luckily, our handy chart is designed to help you work out your cousin relationships at a glance. To use it, think of a distant relative. Now, think of an ancestor you have in common – for example, your great great grandmother (2x great grandmother).
Look along the horizontal axis of the chart until you find how this common ancestor would describe you – 2x great grandchild.
Now, imagine how your distant relative is related to the common ancestor. In this example, imagine that they are also their 2x great grandchild.
Look down the vertical axis until you see your distant relative’s relationship to the common ancestor. Where the two lines meet is the name of your cousin relationship – in this case, third cousins.
Relationship chart
