Relationship Terms

Have you ever been confused by the terms used to describe relationships in a family tree like twice removed etc?  Below I have explained what they mean:-

1. If you share parents, you are siblings ie brothers and/or sisters.
2. If you share only one parent, you are half-siblings.
3. If you share grandparents, you are first cousins.
4. If you share great grandparents, you are second cousins.
5. If you share great great grandparents, you are third cousins.
6. Your parents’ brothers and sisters are your uncles and aunts.
7. Your grandparents’ brothers and sisters are your great uncles and aunts.
8. Your great grandparents’ brothers and sisters are your great great uncles and aunts.
9. Your parents’ first cousins are your first cousins once removed (ie one generation above or removed from you).
10. Your first cousins’ children are also your first cousins once removed (ie one generation below or removed from you).
11. Your first cousins’ grandchildren are your first cousins twice removed (ie two generations below or removed from you).
12. Your first cousins’ great grandchildren are your first cousins three times removed (ie three generations below or removed from you).