Below is a visual guide to understanding the concept of “cousins” within our in family trees! Decoding familial relationships can be tricky, but this cousin chart is designed to bring clarity and understanding in can be quite complicated.
We’ve taken the concept of cousins – a relationship defined by common ancestors – and broken it down into a visual representation.
You can download the high-res PDF here.
Here, you’ll find how first, second, third cousins, and so on, connect within the family tree. We’ve also demystified the concept of ‘removed’ cousins, showing you exactly how these generational shifts fit into the family puzzle.
Use this chart as your roadmap to navigate the fascinating, intricate paths of your genealogy. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or a beginner, this chart will illuminate the bonds that weave our ancestral tapestry together.
Dive in and discover the remarkable relationships that make up your family history.
What is a First Cousin?
A ‘First Cousin’ is your aunt or uncle’s child. You share the same grandparents, but not the same parents. In genealogical terms, first cousins are in the same generation as you, making the ties between you particularly special. Read more about the term “First Cousins“
What is a Second Cousin?
A ‘Second Cousin’ is a descendant from your great-grandparents, but not your grandparents. In simple terms, your second cousin’s grandparents are the siblings of your own grandparents.
Unlike first cousins, you do not share the same grandparents with your second cousins, but you share the same great-grandparents. Read more about the term “Second Cousins“
What is a Third Cousin?
A ‘Third Cousin’ is a person with whom you share great-great-grandparents, but not great-grandparents. Simply put, you and your third cousins have the same great-great-grandparents, but your grandparents are first cousins and your parents are second cousins. Read more about the term “Third Cousins“
What is a Fourth Cousin?
A fourth cousin refers to a relative who shares a common set of great-great-great-grandparents. In other words, they are individuals whose most recent common ancestors are the great-great-great-grandparents. The “fourth” in the term signifies the degree of separation, indicating that there are four generational gaps between the two individuals. Read more about the term “Fourth Cousins“
What is a Fifth Cousin?
A fifth cousin refers to a relative who shares a common set of great-great-great-great-grandparents. In simpler terms, they are individuals whose most recent common ancestors are the great-great-great-great-grandparents. The “fifth” in the term signifies the degree of separation, indicating that there are five generational gaps between the two individuals.
While fifth cousins are more distantly related, they still share a genetic lineage and belong to the same extended family tree, although their familial connections may not be well-known or familiar to each other. Read more about the term “Fifth Cousins“
What is a Sixth Cousin?
A sixth cousin refers to a relative who shares a common set of great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. Put simply, they are individuals whose most recent common ancestors are the great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. The term “sixth” indicates the degree of separation, signifying that there are six generational gaps between the two individuals.
As more distant relatives, sixth cousins have a shared lineage and belong to the same extended family tree, but their familial connections may not be widely known or recognized, often requiring genealogical research to uncover the specific relationship. Read more about the term “Sixth Cousins“
What is a Seventh Cousin?
A seventh cousin refers to a relative who shares a common set of great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. In simpler terms, they are individuals whose most recent common ancestors are the great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. The “seventh” in the term signifies the degree of separation, indicating that there are seven generational gaps between the two individuals. Read more about the term “Seventh Cousins“
What is an Eighth Cousin?
An eighth cousin refers to a relative who shares a common set of great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. In simpler terms, they are individuals whose most recent common ancestors are the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. The term “eighth” signifies the degree of separation, indicating that there are eight generational gaps between the two individuals. Read more about the term “Eighth Cousins“
What is a Ninth Cousin?
A ninth cousin refers to a relative who shares a common set of great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. In simpler terms, they are individuals whose most recent common ancestors are the great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandparents. The term “ninth” signifies the degree of separation, indicating that there are nine generational gaps between the two individuals.
Read more about the term “Ninth Cousins“