Genealogy

Genealogy can be fascinating. You will be amazed as your family history comes to life as you research and solve family mysteries, break down brick walls, resolve adoption riddles, dig in to your DNA, and discover more about who you are and where you come from. There will be frustrations along the way – but you will enjoy the journey.

The first step is to locate and subscribe to an on-line research service. The best is probably Ancestry.com. Their researchers and computer techs have spent years helping clients tackle difficult family history problems, find family members through DNA analysis, and trace their family trees.

The second step is to set goals. One should keep them simple in the beginning. Start with what you know – your parents, grandparents, etc., and build from there. Having trouble finding out when your family emigrated? Discovering military records? Ancestry.com will probably have links that will help you find the answers.

Most folks will find genealogy addictive, but they will also find that there is no “end,” for their “tree” will continue to grow as new “branches” and “twigs” are discovered.

Genealogy (Definition: Merriam-Webster)

ge·ne·al·o·gy (jē′nē-ŏl′ə-jē, -ăl′-, jĕn′ē-) n. pl. ge·ne·al·o·gies

Genealogical

jē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-kəl, ˌje-nē-\ adjective

Genealogically

ˌjē-nē-ə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē, ˌje-nē-\ adverb

  1.  A record or table of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor or ancestors; a family tree.
  2. Direct descent from an ancestor; linage or pedigree.
  3. The study or investigation of ancestry and family histories.

 

Following is information regarding cousin relationships as they may apply to you:

 

For a true “relationship” to exist, there must be an ancestor who is common to both individuals. If you examine the chart below, for example, the Common Ancestor is Box 1 on the horizontal scale (HS) as well as Box 1 on the Vertical Scale (VS).

Let us suppose that you have a grandson of that common ancestor, as seen in Box 3 of the HS, and you

want to know that grandson’s relationship to a great-granddaughter, who would be seen in Box 4on the VS.

If you follow Box 4 (VS) down to where it meets the vertical pathway to Box 3 on the HS, then where those paths cross, it tells you the relationship — they are first cousins once removed.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 Common Ancestor Son or Daughter Grandson or Daughter Great Grandson or Daughter 2nd Great Grandson or Daughter 3rd Great Grandson or Daughter 4th Great Grandson or Daughter 5th Great Grandson or Daughter 6th Great Grandson or Daughter 7th Great Grandson or Daughter
2 Son or Daughter Siblings (Brother or Sister) Nephew or Niece Grand Nephew or Niece Great Grand Nephew or Niece 2nd Great Grand Nephew or Niece 3rd Great Grand Nephew or Niece 4th Great Grand Nephew or Niece 5th Great Grand Nephew or Niece 6th Great Grand Nephew or Niece
3 Grandson or Daughter Nephew or Niece First Cousin First Cousin Once Removed First Cousin Twice Removed First Cousin Three Times Removed First Cousin Four Times Removed First Cousin Five Times Removed First Cousin Six Times Removed First Cousin Seven Times Removed
4 Great Grandson or Daughter Grand Nephew or Niece First Cousin Once Removed Second Cousin Second Cousin Once Removed Second Cousin Twice Removed Second Cousin Three Times Removed Second Cousin Four Times Removed Second Cousin Five Times Removed Second Cousin Six Times Removed
5 2nd Great Grandson or Daughter Great Grand Nephew or Niece First Cousin Twice Removed Second Cousin Once Removed Third Cousin Third Cousin Once Removed Third Cousin Twice Removed Third Cousin Three Times Removed Third Cousin Four Times Removed Second Cousin Five Times Removed
6 3rd Great Grandson or Daughter 2nd Great Grand Nephew or Niece First Cousin Three Times Removed Second Cousin Twice Removed Third Cousin Once Removed Fourth Cousin Fourth Cousin Once Removed Fourth Cousin Twice Removed Fourth Cousin Three Times Removed Fourth Cousin Four Times Removed
7 4th Great Grandson or Daughter 3rd Great Grand Nephew or Niece First Cousin Four Times Removed Second Cousin Three Times Removed Third Cousin Twice Removed Fourth Cousin Once Removed Fifth Cousin Fifth Cousin Once Removed Fifth Cousin Twice Removed Fifth Cousin Three Times Removed
8 5th Great Grandson or Daughter 4th Great Grand Nephew or Niece First Cousin Five Times Removed Second Cousin Four Times Removed Third Cousin Three Times Removed Fourth Cousin Twice Removed Fifth Cousin Once Removed Sixth Cousin Sixth Cousin Once Removed Sixth Cousin Twice Removed
9 6th Great Grandson or Daughter 5th Great Grand Nephew or Niece First Cousin Six Times Removed Second Cousin Five Times Removed Third Cousin Four Times Removed Fourth Cousin Three Times Removed Fifth Cousin Twice Removed Sixth Cousin Once Removed Seventh Cousin Seventh Cousin Once Removed
10 7th Great Grandson or Daughter 6th Great Grand Nephew or Niece First Cousin Seven Times Removed Second Cousin Six Times Removed Third Cousin Five Times Removed Fourth Cousin Four Times Removed Fifth Cousin Three Times Removed Sixth Cousin Twice Removed Seventh Cousin Once Removed Eighth Cousin

 

 

Understanding Kindred Relationships

Definition:

kin•dred (ˈkɪn drɪd)

Noun

  1. A person’s relatives collectively; kinfolk, kin.
  2. Agroup of persons related to another; family, tribe, or clan.
  3. Relationship by birth or descent, or sometimes by marriage; kinship.
  4. Natural relationship; affinity.

Adjective

  1. Associated by origin, nature, qualities, etc.: kindred languages.
  2. Having the same belief, attitude, or feeling: We are kindred spirits on the issue of gun control.
  3. Related by birth or descent: having kinship; kindred tribes.
  4. Belonging to kin or relatives: kindred blood.