It's hard at times understanding the various levels of relationships in extended families. What does second cousin, twice removed mean? Well here's my understanding of the relationship descriptions plus a relationship chart that you can use to calculate how two members of your family are related.
Basically:
Removed simply refers to the difference in the number of generations between the two people who's relationship you are calculating.
For example:
Too much maths for you? Use the chart below to work out these relationships instead.
| Common Ancestor |
Child | Grandchild | Great Grandchild |
2nd Great Grandchild | 3rd Great Grandchild | 4th Great Grandchild | 5th Great Grandchild |
| Child | Sibling | Niece or Nephew | Grand Niece or Nephew | Great Grand Niece or Nephew | 2nd Great Grand Niece or Nephew | 3rd Great Grand Niece or Nephew | 4th Great Grand Niece or Nephew |
| Grandchild | Niece or Nephew | First Cousin | First Cousin Once Removed |
First Cousin Twice Removed |
First Cousin 3 Times Removed |
First Cousin 4 Times Removed |
First Cousin 5 Times Removed |
| Great Grandchild |
Grand Niece or Nephew | First Cousin Once Removed |
Second Cousin | Second Cousin Once Removed |
Second Cousin Twice Removed |
Second Cousin 3 Times Removed |
Second Cousin 4 Times Removed |
| 2nd Great Grandchild | Great Grand Niece or Nephew | First Cousin Twice Removed |
Second Cousin Once Removed |
Third Cousin | Third Cousin Once Removed |
Third Cousin Twice Removed |
Third Cousin 3 Times Removed |
| 3rd Great Grandchild | 2nd Great Grand Niece or Nephew | First Cousin 3 Times Removed |
Second Cousin Twice Removed |
Third Cousin Once Removed |
Fourth Cousin | Fourth Cousin Once Removed |
Fourth Cousin Twice Removed |
| 4th Great Grandchild | 3rd Great Grand Niece or Nephew | First Cousin 4 Times Removed |
Second Cousin 3 Times Removed |
Third Cousin Twice Removed |
Fourth Cousin Once Removed |
Fifth Cousin | Fifth Cousin Once Removed |
| 5th Great Grandchild | 4th Great Grand Niece or Nephew | First Cousin 5 Times Removed |
Second Cousin 4 Times Removed |
Third Cousin 3 Times Removed |
Fourth Cousin Twice Removed |
Fifth Cousin Once Removed |
Sixth Cousin |