Posts in May 4, 2023

Despite having “done genealogy” for decades and knowing full well the distinctions in varying degrees of cousinship (including the “removed” part), I generally refer to a cousin of any degree as just that: a cousin. I don’t specify that someone is my first cousin once removed, my second cousin, my third cousin twice removed, etc. It important to remember that a relative may write the word “cousin” on the back of a photograph and not meant first cousin. The best bet is to transcribe the item as written, indicate (if known) who wrote it, and go from there. Aunts may not be a sister of the person’s parent. Uncles may not be biologically related or even married to an aunt. In some families the terms “aunt” and “uncle” […]