What Is A Sixth Cousin? (Explained)

Delve in with us into the intriguing landscape of ancestral connections as we examine the familial bonds with our 6th cousins.

You’re probably familiar with terms like first, second, third, fourth, and fifth cousins. However, what might not be commonly understood is that the concept of ‘cousinhood’ extends indefinitely across generations. In theory, for every generation that exists, there’s a corresponding cousin relationship that can be identified.

Unraveling these distant relationships uncovers a rich lineage tracing back to our five-times-great-grandparents.

This journey into our past illuminates the genetic mysteries and complex genealogical ties binding us to these far-removed kinsfolk.

No matter if you’re an experienced genealogist or just beginning to explore your family’s roots, this exploration of the 6th cousin relationship promises to enrich your understanding of lineage and the intricate tapestry of family.

Let’s embark on this enlightening voyage into the depths of our ancestry.

Understanding The Concept of Sixth Cousins

The term “6th cousin” refers to a relative with whom you share the same great-great-great-great-great-grandparents, but not the same great-great-great-great-grandparents, great-great-great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents, great-grandparents, or grandparents.

Essentially, your parents are 4th cousins, your grandparents are 5th cousins, and your great-grandparents are 6th cousins, linked by their own great-great-great-great-grandparents who were siblings.

The “6th” in 6th cousin represents the six generations that separate you from your mutual ancestors.

Therefore, when you say “6th cousin,” it implies you share a set of great-great-great-great-great-grandparents, but you are six generations removed from those shared ancestors.

‘Once Removed’ and ‘Twice Removed’ in the Context of 6th Cousins

In the context of genealogy, “once removed” and “twice removed” depict the generational differences between relatives who aren’t from the same generation. In relation to 6th cousins:

1. If your 6th cousin is “once removed,” it denotes a one-generation gap between you. This individual could either be one generation older (the child of your 6th cousin) or younger (they are the 6th cousin of your parent).
   
2. If your 6th cousin is “twice removed,” it signifies a two-generation difference. The person could be two generations older (the grandchild of your 6th cousin) or younger (they are the 6th cousin of your grandparent).

The terms “once removed” or “twice removed” thus indicate the number of generations you are apart from the main cousin level, either ascending or descending in your family tree.

The Degrees of Separation Between 6th 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 6th cousins add up to 14.

Here’s the explanation:

To track your connection to a 6th cousin, you climb 7 generations up to your shared 5th great-grandparents, amounting to 7 steps.

Then, you count the same 7 steps back down the family tree to your 6th cousin.

So, adding these together, you get a total of 14 steps.

In other words, you and your 6th cousin are 14 degrees apart on your family tree.

How Many 6th Cousins Do We Have?

Your sixth cousins are those who share the same set of 5th great-grandparents as you. If you’ve been keeping track, you’ll know that’s 128 individuals or 64 pairs. If each of these pairs had several children, who themselves had children, and this pattern continued for a few generations, the number of your sixth cousins could be astonishingly high – ranging into the 10,000 to 170,000 or more!

However, it’s essential to remember these figures are based on an idealized scenario. In reality, a variety of factors can influence the size of your extended family. Patterns of migration, changes in family size over time, the longevity of family members, and even marriages between distantly related family members can all affect the actual number of sixth cousins you have.

Plus, considering the sheer number of generations between you and your shared ancestors, many of these relationships may be challenging to trace or verify.

Regardless, the concept of having such a vast network of sixth cousins is indeed fascinating!

Are 6th Cousins Blood Related?

Yes, you likely share some amount of DNA with your 6th cousins, but it’s a small amount.

In human genetic relationships, we share about 50% of our DNA with our parents and siblings, 25% with our grandparents and aunts/uncles, 12.5% with our first cousins, and so forth. The amount of shared DNA roughly halves with each step of relation. By the time you get to 6th cousins, the percentage is quite small.

Technically, you would be expected to share about 0.0061% of your DNA with a 6th cousin. However, because of the way DNA is passed down, it’s also possible that you share no detectable DNA with a 6th cousin. Due to genetic recombination, there’s a chance that none of the segments of DNA that you inherited from your ancestors match those your 6th cousin inherited.

Also, keep in mind that these estimates can vary based on a variety of factors, including population, family size, and more.

In genealogy, the terms close, extended, and distant are used to describe the degrees of relation among family members.

1. Close Relatives: These are your immediate family members and the ones with whom you share a significant portion of your genetic makeup. It includes your parents, siblings, children, and grandchildren.
2. Extended Relatives: These are relatives beyond your immediate circle but still share a noticeable amount of genetic material with you. It includes aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, first cousins, and grandparents.
3. Distant Relatives: These are family members with whom you share a smaller amount of genetic material due to the number of generations that separate you. It starts from second cousins and goes further to include third cousins, fourth cousins, and so on. The term is also used to refer to ‘removed’ relatives – for example, a cousin ‘once removed’ would be the child of your first cousin.

These distinctions help genealogists understand and communicate the familial relationship and also have implications for the potential amount of shared DNA between relatives.

6th cousins would be classed as “distant relations”.

Other Types of Sixth Cousins

Seventh cousins can also be referred to by other names that indicate some variation in their biological connection. Below are some variations of the term “Sixth cousins”.

Sixth Cousin Once Removed

A “sixth cousin once removed” is a term that describes a unique familial relationship. It refers to the situation where one person is a sixth cousin of the other person’s ancestor or descendant.

In simpler terms, if you have a sixth cousin and that cousin has a child, you would be the “sixth cousin once removed” of that child. Conversely, if your great-great-great-great-great grandparents had siblings who also have descendants, your sixth cousin once removed could also be a person from that line, but one generation above or below you.

Sixth Cousin Twice Removed

A “sixth cousin twice removed” involves a difference of two generations. For instance, let’s consider your sixth cousin’s grandchild. You would be the “sixth cousin twice removed” of that grandchild since there are two generations separating you. On the other hand, this term could also refer to the grandchild of a person who is your sixth cousin. In essence, “twice removed” implies a difference of two generations within your family tree.

Half Sixth Cousin

A “half sixth cousin” denotes a situation where you share just one common ancestor couple instead of two at the sixth great-grandparent level. Suppose there are two families; in the first, a man has a child, and in the second, the same man has a child with a different partner.

Seven generations down the line, the descendants of these children would be “half sixth cousins.” They are termed “half” cousins because they share one ancestor (the man in this example) but not a full set of ancestor couples at that generational level.

Famous 6th Cousins

Kate Middleton and Guy Ritchie.

How To Find Your 6th Cousins – A Short Guide to Locating Your Distant Relatives

Finding your 6th 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