What Is A Second Cousin? (Explained)

Welcome to an exciting expedition into the intricacies of our family ties as we shine a light on the relationship with our 2nd cousins. These relatives, connected through our shared great-grandparents, hold a significant place in our ancestral tableau.

We’ll navigate the captivating terrain of shared DNA, discover ways to track down these close-yet-distant kin, and shed light on the remarkable bonds that link us. Regardless of your expertise in genealogy, this exploration into the realm of 2nd cousin relationships will offer new insights into the magnificent tapestry that constitutes our family history.

Join us as we chart this fascinating course through our shared genealogical heritage.

Understanding the Concept of a Second Cousin

In genealogy, your “2nd cousin” is a person who shares the same great-grandparents as you, but not the same grandparents.

Here’s how it works:
If you have a sibling, you share both parents. If you have a first cousin, your parents are siblings, and you share one set of grandparents.

When it comes to 2nd cousins, your grandparents are siblings, meaning you share a set of great-grandparents. It’s a level further removed from the first cousin relationship.

The term “2nd” represents the two generations you are away from the last common ancestral couple. J

ust remember, the number in the cousin term refers to the number of generations back to the shared ancestors.

‘Once Removed’ and ‘Twice Removed’ in the Context of 2nd Cousins

Let’s talk about 2nd cousins and what it means when they are “once removed” or “twice removed”.

Second Cousin Once Removed

So, imagine you have a 2nd cousin “once removed”. This means that there’s a one-generation difference between you two. It’s like you’re on a different branch of the family tree that’s one step away from yours. So, this person could be the child of your 2nd cousin, which means they’re one generation older than you. Alternatively, they could be one generation younger, making them the 2nd cousin of your parent.

Second Cousin Twice Removed

Now, if someone is your 2nd cousin “twice removed”, it means there’s a two-generation gap. They could be two generations older, which would make them the grandchild of your 2nd cousin. Or they could be two generations younger, in which case they would be the 2nd cousin of your grandparent.

So, in a nutshell, “once removed” or “twice removed” is just a way of saying how many generations you and your cousin are apart on the family tree.

What Is A Half Second Cousin?

A “half second cousin” is a term that refers to a unique familial relationship where you share one common ancestor couple instead of two at the second great-grandparent level. To give you a scenario, let’s say there are two families; in the first one, a woman has a child, and in the second, the same woman has a child with a different partner.

The descendants of these two children, two generations later, would be “half second cousins” to each other. They are designated as “half” cousins because they share one ancestor (the woman in this example), but not a complete set of ancestor couples at that generational level.

The Degrees of Separation Between 2nd 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.

The “degrees of separation” for 2nd cousins tally up to 6.

Let’s break it down:

To map out your connection to a 2nd cousin, you ascend 3 generations to your shared great-grandparents, which is 3 steps.

Then, you count the same 3 steps down the family tree to reach your 2nd cousin.

Adding these steps together gives you a total of 6.

Therefore, you and your 2nd cousin are 6 degrees apart on your family tree.

How Many 2nd Cousins Do We Have?

As you may know by now, “second cousins” refers to the individuals who share the same great-grandparents with you, but not the same grandparents. It’s like having the same roots in a family tree, but the branches (or generations) have started to grow in different directions.

Now, how many of these second cousins might you have? This can depend a lot on the size of your family and how many children each generation typically has had. But to give you a ballpark figure, on average, people tend to have about 30 second cousins.

Do remember, though, this is a very general estimate. Some folks might have only a handful of second cousins, especially if their family has trended towards having fewer children over the generations.

Meanwhile, others might have dozens upon dozens, particularly if their family tends to have many children each generation.

How To Find Your 2nd Cousins – A Short Guide to Locating Your Distant Relatives

Finding your 2nd cousins isn’t that much of a challenge, yet still an 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