What Is A Fourth Cousin (Explained)

Delving into the realm of family history is a fascinating journey to go on. In this post, we aim to uncover the intriguing connections to our 4th cousins.

These distant relatives, linked to us through our three-times-great-grandparents, add vibrant threads to our complex genealogical tapestry.

As we explore the scientific probabilities of shared DNA and discover strategies to trace these relatives, we’ll gain a richer understanding of our shared past.

Whether you’re an avid genealogist or just starting your journey into family history, this exploration of the 4th cousin bond will offer a new perspective on the interconnected nature of our familial ties.

Step into the past with us as we navigate the genealogical maze.

Understanding the concept of Fourth Cousins

The term “4th cousin” refers to a person with whom you share the same great-great-great-grandparents, but not the same great-great-grandparents, great-grandparents or grandparents.

This means your parents are 2nd cousins, your grandparents are 3rd cousins, and your great-grandparents are 4th cousins, connected through their own great-grandparents who are siblings.

The “4th” in 4th cousin signifies the four generations that separate you from your mutual ancestors.

Therefore, when we say “4th cousin,” it means you have a set of great-great-great-grandparents in common, but you are four generations removed from those shared ancestors.

‘Once Removed’ and ‘Twice Removed’ in the Context of 4th Cousins

“Once removed” and “twice removed” in genealogy indicate a generational gap between relatives who don’t belong to the same generation.

When applied to 4th cousins:

1. If your 4th cousin is “once removed,” it means there’s a one-generation difference between you and your cousin. This could occur if the person is one generation above you (they are the child of your 4th cousin) or one generation below you (they are the 4th cousin of your parent).
   
2. If your 4th cousin is “twice removed,” it signifies a two-generation difference. This person could be two generations above you (the grandchild of your 4th cousin) or two generations below you (they are the 4th cousin of your grandparent).

In essence, “once removed” or “twice removed” denotes the number of generations you are removed from the core cousin level, either higher or lower in the family tree.

The Degrees of Separation Between 4th Cousins

In genealogy, the “degrees of separation” between two people typically refers to the number of steps or individuals linking them in the family tree.

When it comes to 4th cousins, the “degrees of separation” are 10.

Let’s explain why:

To connect with a 4th cousin, you climb 5 generations up your family tree to your shared 3rd great-grandparents, which amounts to 5 steps. After that, you count the same 5 steps back down the family tree to your 4th cousin.

Adding these together, you have 10 steps in total. This means you and your 4th cousin are 10 degrees apart on your family tree.

How Many 4th Cousins Do We Have?

if you’re interested in your fourth cousins, you’re about to step into a pretty big crowd!

Here’s why:

To be considered fourth cousins, two people must share the same set of 3rd great-grandparents. Now, as you may know, you’ve got 32 of those (16 pairs). If each pair of 3rd great-grandparents had just a couple of children, and those children all had a couple of children, and so on, you can quickly see how the numbers add up rapidly.

However, life is rarely that simple. People had varying numbers of children, some of whom might not have lived to have children of their own. Plus, families sometimes intermarry, which can make the family tree a bit smaller.

Still, even considering all those variables, you could easily have hundreds, or even thousands of fourth cousins scattered all over the world. Even as much as 20,000!!!

Quite a family reunion that would be!

What Is A Half Fourth Cousin?

A “Half 5th Cousin” refers to someone who shares only one line of descent from your 4th great-grandparents, rather than two. This usually happens when one of your ancestors had multiple spouses and had children with each of them.

For instance, if your 4th great-grandfather had children with his first wife, and then had more children with his second wife, the descendants of these two sets of children would be half fifth cousins to each other.

They are ‘half’ because they only share one common ancestor (the 4th great-grandfather) instead of a pair of common ancestors (4th great-grandfather and 4th great-grandmother).

How To Find Your 4th Cousins – A Short Guide to Locating Your Distant Relatives

Finding your 4th cousins can be a challenging yet rewarding journey through your family’s history. Here’s a brief guide on how to begin:

1. Start with What You Know: Compile as much information as you can about your family tree. Gather names, birth dates, and locations from family members, vital records, or family documents. This will provide a solid starting point.

2. Use Genealogical Databases: Websites like Ancestry, MyHeritage, and FamilySearch have extensive databases and can help build out your family tree. They offer historical records and user-created family trees which may connect with your lineage.

3. DNA Testing: Consider taking a DNA test from companies like AncestryDNA or 23andMe. These tests often connect you to a database of others who have taken the test and share some amount of DNA with you, potentially including distant cousins. Note that 9th cousins may not be reliably identified through shared DNA due to the minute amount of shared DNA.

Autosomal DNA testing is a popular tool for genealogy. This type of test looks at the 22 pairs of non-sex chromosomes that you inherited from both your parents. Because these autosomes are a mix of both parents’ DNA, they can trace lineage from both sides of your family, making it a useful tool for connecting with a broad range of relatives.

To take an autosomal DNA test, you’ll typically need to do the following:

Choose a Testing Company: There are several companies that offer autosomal DNA testing services, such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage DNA, and FamilyTreeDNA. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so you might want to do a bit of research to decide which is best for your needs.

Purchase a Test Kit: Once you’ve chosen a company, you can order a test kit from their website. The kit will include everything you need to collect a DNA sample at home.

Collect and Submit Your DNA Sample: Most kits require either a saliva sample or a cheek swab. After you’ve collected your sample, you’ll package it up as instructed and mail it back to the company.

Wait for Results: The company will extract and analyze your DNA from the sample you sent. This process can take several weeks. Once your results are ready, you’ll be able to view them online. The company’s website will usually provide a variety of tools for exploring your genetic ancestry and connecting with relatives who have also taken the test.

Remember that while these tests can provide fascinating insights into your ancestry, they should be taken with a grain of salt. The science of genetic genealogy is still evolving, and results should be considered as one piece of the larger puzzle of your family history.

4. Join Genealogical Societies: Local, regional, and nationality-based genealogical societies often have resources and connections that can help you in your search.

5. Hire a Professional: If your search becomes too daunting or you hit a dead-end, consider hiring a professional genealogist. They have the expertise and resources to uncover connections that may be hard to find on your own.

Remember, patience and persistence are key. Happy hunting!

Quick Cousin Relation Reference List

See how you are related to your cousins

• first cousins share grandparents
• second cousins share great-grandparents
• third cousins share great-great grandparents (2 greats)
• fourth cousins share great-great-great grandparents (3 greats)
• fifth cousins share great-great-great-great-great grandparents (4 greats)
• sixth cousins share great-great-great-great-great grandparents (5 greats)
• seventh cousins share great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents (6 greats)
• eighth cousins share great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents (7 greats)
• ninth cousins share great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents (8 greats)
• tenth cousins share great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandparents (9 greats)

Other Types Of Cousins In Your Family Tree

Second Cousins
Third Cousins
Fourth Cousins
Fifth Cousins
Sixth Cousins
Seventh Cousins
Eighth Cousins
Ninth Cousins
Great Cousins