How cousin relationships work
If both people are the same number of generations from a shared ancestor, subtract one to find the cousin degree. Two grandchildren are first cousins; two great-grandchildren are second cousins. When the generation counts differ, the difference is the number of times removed.
Confirm the shared ancestor first
The calculator explains the relationship implied by the tree. It cannot verify that the underlying parent-child connections are correct. Cite the records, interviews, and other evidence supporting every generation.
Frequently asked questions
What does once removed mean?
The relatives are one generation apart in their distance from the shared ancestor. Your first cousin's child is your first cousin once removed.
Are my parent's cousins also my cousins?
Yes. A parent's first cousin is your first cousin once removed.
What is a half cousin?
Half cousins descend from half siblings and therefore share only one member of the ancestral couple. This calculator describes the generation relationship, not whether the ancestral siblings were full or half siblings.