Thursday, October 16, 2008

Once, Twice or Thrice Removed?

I recently had occasion to get together with my family members. Let's see - there was my mother's sister-in-law, my mother's brother's daughter, my mother's brother's son's daughters, my mother's brother's daughter's daughter and my mother's brother's daughter's daughter's daughter. Here's what I don't get. If my mother's brother's daughter is my cousin and my mother's brother's daughter's daughter is my cousin twice removed, then what relation is my mother's brother's daughter's daughter's daughter or my mother's brother's son's daughter's daughter? Are they my cousins thrice removed? What do you say?

2 comments:

Leslie said...

The "removed" has to do with the difference in generations. Your mother's brother's daughter is your first cousin. Your mother's brother's daughter's daughter is your first cousin, once removed. If she had a son, he would be your first cousin, twice removed.

If your mother's first cousin Shirley had been at the reunion, and if Shirley had a son, he would be your second cousin, since he is in the same generation you are, but more distant in relation.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Leslie - I get it. I don't know why I've never known that.