explanation of the terminology used to refer to cousins with examples
Explanation of the Terminology Used to Refer to Cousins
When checking out your family history, you may have come across some really confusing terms like first cousin twice removed, or second cousin once removed. Now you don't have to fret over this, as we bring to you the complete explanation of terminology used to refer to cousins, along with appropriate examples, in this Buzzle write-up.
'Removed'
The term first cousin once removed or twice removed can get confusing for many. I mean, what does 'removed' really mean in this context? The answer is not as weird as it sounds. It simply means one generation is removed. For example, your aunt or uncles are your first cousins once removed.INDEX
First Cousins
The term first cousin is very simple. They are the children of your aunts and uncles. It also means that you two share the same grandparents. Cousins are children of two siblings, simple right? Usually, when just the term cousin is used, it is assumed that you are talking about your first cousin.
Second Cousins
Second cousins are the children of two first cousins. That means, they share the same great-grandparents, but not the same grandparents.
Third Cousins
Third cousins are the grandchildren of two first cousins, or the children of two second cousins. They share the same great-great-grandparents, but not great-grandparents or grandparents.
First Cousins Once Removed
First cousin once removed is the first cousin of one's parent, for a person of a younger generation. For a person of the higher generation, first cousin once removed is the child of one's first cousin.
First Cousins Twice Removed
First cousin twice removed is the first cousin of one's grandparent, for a person of a younger generation. For a person of a higher generation, it is the child of one's first cousin.
Second Cousins Once Removed
Second cousin once removed refers to the second cousin of one's parent for a person of a younger generation, and child of one's second cousin for a person of a higher generation.
Double Cousins
First cousins who share both the sets of grandparents are called double cousins. This happens when two siblings from one family copulate with two siblings from another family.
Half Cousins
Half cousins are children of two half-siblings. Since their parents share only one blood parent, they have only one grandparent in common; therefore, the term 'half' is used.
Step Cousins
Step Cousins are the stepchildren of an individual's aunt or uncle for the person, or they can be the nieces and nephews of one's step-parent.
Cousin-in-law
Cousin-in-law is the spouse of an individual's cousin, or the cousin of one's spouse.
Maternal or Paternal Cousins
The term maternal or paternal is used to understand whether the cousin is from the mother's side or the father's side of the family.
Although most people don't go much into details, and call their cousins just 'cousins', now you know exactly who is a first cousin, and so on. It's always good to know the authentic terms. We hope this post has made all the confusing terms easier for you.