Calling all genealogists

[kib]

Ok, so my far away cousin, (mother's sister's daughter) who I only met recently has a daughter who is having a baby. Technically speaking, what is my relationship? Am I a great aunt? A second cousin? Is the baby my second cousin?

[JaneV2.0]

This might help: http://www.genealogy.com/16_cousn.html

After a certain point, I just think "we're related."

[lessisbest]

Your mother's sister's daughter is your first cousin. Her baby will be your first cousin, once removed (removed by one generation) because you are not of the same generation of descent down the generational "tree". The baby and your children (if/when any) will be second cousins. Your mother is the baby's great-aunt. You can only be an aunt to your siblings children. I've been working on genealogy since the early 1980's and have held many different board positions at the local genealogical society, and this is one of those great questions we get to untangle doing research. Such FUN!

[cdttmm]

Just trying to be sure I understand what kib is asking... Your cousin's daughter (your first cousin once removed) is having a baby? Then I believe the baby is your first cousin twice removed. Is that the correct interpretation, lessisbest? That was how I was always taught that genealogy worked, but I could be wrong...

[lessisbest]

Just trying to be sure I understand what kib is asking... Your cousin's daughter (your first cousin once removed) is having a baby? Then I believe the baby is your first cousin twice removed. Is that the correct interpretation, lessisbest? That was how I was always taught that genealogy worked, but I could be wrong...

AH, you are right, I missed one .... (I should read more slowly or not post until I've had a cup of tea ;). Thanks for catching that! Yes, it's first cousin TWICE removed, because it is two generations away from where the generation is shared (in this case as first cousins). You always start where the generations are equal, in this case you and your aunt's daughter are 1st cousins. Then they are "removed" each consecutive generation after that.

Second cousins would be your children and your 1st cousin's children. The next generation will be 3rd cousins, etc....

[kib]

Just trying to be sure I understand what kib is asking... Your cousin's daughter (your first cousin once removed) is having a baby? Then I believe the baby is your first cousin twice removed. Is that the correct interpretation, lessisbest? That was how I was always taught that genealogy worked, but I could be wrong...yes, this is right, my cousin's daughter is having a baby, so he will be, if I understand correctly, my first cousin twice removed. Thanks! Always felt it seemed strange to refer to someone two generations younger than I am as a cousin, removed or otherwise. I believe he will be called: "the baby". :-)