What is what does it mean when a cousin is removed?

Here's an explanation of "removed" cousins in genealogy:

In genealogy, the term "removed" describes the difference in generations between two cousins. It indicates that one cousin is in a different generation than the other.

• What it means: If two cousins are "once removed," it means there's a difference of one generation between them. "Twice removed" means a difference of two generations, and so on.

• How it works: Imagine you and your cousin share a set of grandparents. If your cousin has a child, that child is your first cousin, once removed. They are in the generation after your cousin, making them one generation removed from you. Conversely, you are your first cousin's child's first cousin, once removed.

• Relationship to "first cousins": The "removed" designation applies after you've already established the cousin relationship (e.g., first cousin, second cousin). It simply clarifies the generational distance. So, you might be a "first cousin, once removed," or a "second cousin, twice removed," etc.

• Examples:

  • Your first cousin's child is your first cousin, once removed.
  • Your first cousin's grandchild is your first cousin, twice removed.
  • Your parent's first cousin is your first cousin, once removed.