What's the difference?

[DSJ]

What's the difference between a second cousin & a cousin once removed? Thanks in advance.

[sherrardk]

Hi archeraddict - I haven't lived there for years (but closer now in Hereford). I have a terrible memory for people and names but my mam would persist that I knew people (to the point of saying I went out with certain people). I fear that a lot of that will be lost now that she isn't around anymore (not in a maudlin sense - used to drive me barmy when she wouldn't have it that I didn't have a clue who she was talking about).

[DTCwordfan]

In Cornwall, incest is best - or keep it in the family. Nothing about first, second, third cousins. Only in Wales do we discuss "once removed" - as in our ovine relations.

[Buenchico]

SherrardK;
Your gran's cousin will be related to you through a common great-great grandparent. That makes that person your 3rd cousin. Their offspring will also be your 3rd cousins, but once removed. But the person you're referring to is a generation below that, so he's you're 3rd cousin, twice removed.

Er, I think I've got that right!
;-)

[Buenchico]

DTCF:
So it's not only the accents which are remarkably similar in Cornwall and Norfolk?
(Here, in Suffolk, we assume that everyone in Norfolk is related to each other!)

[sherrardk]

So can I tap him for some cash?

[DTCwordfan]

its what our Devonian cousin Jacks think of us and we think of St Just-ites....just like the Irish think of Kerry folk.

[Buenchico]

It's worth a try, Sherrardk ;-)

(Perhaps I should try to track down the family of relative I was told about as a kid who, apparently, owned a massive sugar plantation in Jamaica? There might be an unclaimed fortune there!)
;-)

[sherrardk]

I'm not that despite for cash (well, not quite) - but he is well off (a couple of weeks ago we weren't allowed to mention his actual name and he is a sports person!).

[Buenchico]

I'll assume that 'despite' means 'desperate', Sherrardk. (Which one of us has been drinking the strongest booze tonight?)
;-)

Being a pure, sweet, innocent guy, I couldn't possibly know who you're referring to. Perhaps I should ask my friends on the Scottish Herald?
;-)

[jno]

up to you to decide who's family, really. Having the same surname probably helps you feel more related than if you'd descended from strings of sisters who began with different surnames and ended up with even more different ones. And if you look like someone, that will have the same effect. But when people are compiling family trees, the more dedicated ones will include anyone they can find find from the last thousand years.

I suspect third cousins is about right for most people.

[DTCwordfan]

and you don't know any one in News International??????

[sherrardk]

It's the pretend keyboard on this iPad thing (I can actually touch type - got certificates to prove it!). Not sure about the Scottish Herald thing but I am Welsh (though he pretends not to be!).

[starone]

They can remove mine if they like, and the further away, the better.

[DSJ]

Thank you all. I understand that the children of my (late) cousins are my second cousins but what relation to these second cousins are my own children?

I also assume that my (late) mother's cousins are my second cousins. It is all quite confusing!

[jackthehat]

I understand that the children of my (late) cousins are my second cousins
<They are your first cousins once removed> but what relation to these second cousins are my own children? <The children are second cousins>

I also assume that my (late) mother's cousins are my second cousins. <They also are your first cousins once removed (but the generational remove is upwards, this time).

[jno]

I don't think that's right. If you look at Chris's link (though I note it has "multiple issues"), the child of your first cousin is also your first - not second cousin - but once removed. The child of your first cousin, and your own child, are second cousins.

[jno]

whoops, scooped by jack.

[DSJ]

Gosh, this is complicated! Anyway, thanks all. I think I will bow out gracefully now!

[Old_Geezer]

http://www.borisbrook...genealogy/cousins.htm

One of many such tables on the Net.

[jno]

"half second cousins once removed".... I wonder if I've got any of those.