Figuring Out the Whole ‘Cousin’ Hierarchy Thing

Cousins. Often our first friends growing up. But which cousin were they again?

The cousin structure is confusing. Twice removed? From what? Third cousin?

Right off the bat: your first cousin is the child(ren) of your aunt/uncle. Second cousin is the grandchild of your great Aunt/Uncle.

Nailed it.

Thrice Removed? From What?

The "once/twice/whatever removed" part describes the generation difference between you and a particular cousin. So:

Once Removed = One Generation Difference 
Twice Removed = Two Generations Difference

Your 1st cousin FOUR times removed (1st/four) is the child of your great, great, great grand uncle/aunt, because there's a four-generation difference between you and 1st/four cousin.

Got it? Me neither.

Okay, we'll start at the top(ish) with your Great, Great, Great, Great Grandparents (Ned tip: also known as your 4th Great Grandparents). You are their great, great, great, great grandson/daughter. Your 1st cousin/four times removed is their grandson/daughter. How many 'great' difference is there between you and 1/four? FOUR. So, 1st cousin/four times removed. 1/four's kids are your 2nd cousins/thrice removed, because there's only a THREE generation difference.

And your 5th cousin is the child of your 4th cousin/once removed.

1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th cousins are all of the same generation as you.

There's a handy-dandy chart available to maybe clear this up. Maybe.

Meanwhile, all this thinkin' gives me a hankerin' for drinkin'.

H/T: SimpleMost