What Is A Third Cousin? (Explained)

Welcome to a fascinating exploration into the heart of our family tree as we delve into the world of 3rd cousins.

These somewhat distant kinsfolk, united through our great-great-grandparents, hold a unique position in our ancestry. As we unravel the science of shared DNA, trace paths to identify these family members, and comprehend the bond that links us, we add another dimension to our understanding of lineage.

Whether you’re a veteran genealogist or embarking on your maiden voyage into your family’s past, this investigation into 3rd cousin relationships promises to enrich your perspective on the intricate network that forms our genealogy.

Let’s journey together through the fascinating corridors of our shared history.

Understanding the Concept of Third Cousins

The term “3rd cousin” refers to a relative who shares the same great-great-grandparents as you, but not the same great-grandparents or grandparents.

In other words, your parents are first cousins, your grandparents are second cousins, and your great-grandparents are siblings. As you go further back, each generation adds another level to the “cousin” term.

The “3rd” in 3rd cousin indicates the three generations that separate you from your common ancestors.

So, when you say “3rd cousin,” it means you share a set of great-great-grandparents, but you are three generations away from those shared ancestors.

‘Once Removed’ and ‘Twice Removed’ in the Context of 3rd Cousins

In genealogy, “once removed” and “twice removed” indicate the generational offset between relatives not from the same generation. For 3rd cousins:

3rd Cousin “Once Removed”
If someone is your 3rd cousin “once removed,” it simply means there’s a one-generation gap between you two. It’s like they’re from a different branch of the family tree that’s one step away from yours. This person might be the kid of your 3rd cousin, making them a bit older than you. Or, they might be the 3rd cousin of your mom or dad, which puts them one step younger.

3rd Cousin “Twice Removed”
Now, if they’re your 3rd cousin “twice removed,” it’s just saying there’s a two-generation gap. Picture them on a branch of the family tree that’s two steps away from yours. They could be the grandkid of your 3rd cousin, making them a bit older. Or they might be the 3rd cousin of your grandma or grandpa, making them a bit younger.

In other words, the whole “once removed” or “twice removed” thing is just a cool way of saying how many generations you are apart from each other on the big family tree. Easy, right?

The Degrees of Separation Between 3rd 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 3rd cousins is a total of up to 8.

Here’s the explanation:

To trace your lineage to a 3rd cousin, you have to go up 4 generations to your shared 2nd great-grandparents, and that’s 4 steps.

Then, you descend the same 4 generations back down to your 3rd cousin.

Combine these steps, and you have 8 in total. In other words, you and your 3rd cousin are 8 degrees apart on your family tree.

What Is A Half Third Cousin?

A “half third cousin” refers to a distinct family relationship in which you share a single common ancestor couple instead of two at the third great-grandparent level. Imagine a scenario where there are two families; in the first family, a man has a child, and in the second family, the same man has a child with a different partner.

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

How Many 3rd Cousins Do We Have?

This can depend heavily on the specific reproductive patterns and sizes of your family over the generations. However, if you were to take an average estimate, it’s often suggested that you could have around 190 third cousins.

Keep in mind that this is a rough average. For some people, the number could be lower, especially if their ancestors tended to have smaller families. On the other hand, for those coming from larger families, the number of third cousins could potentially be much higher. Remember that these estimates also assume no intermarriages within your ancestral lines, which could also affect the total.

Isn’t genealogy fascinating? The sheer number of relatives we have, many of whom we may never meet, truly underlines our interconnectedness as human beings!

How To Find Your 3rd Cousins – A Short Guide to Locating Your Distant Relatives

Finding your 3rd 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