Legal Definitions - second cousin

A second cousin refers to a relative with whom you share a common great-grandparent, but not a common grandparent. In simpler terms, your second cousin is the child of your parent's first cousin.

• Example 1: Family Tree Connection

  Imagine your great-grandmother, Eleanor. She had two children: your grandmother, Martha, and her brother, George. Martha had your mother, Susan. George had a daughter, Lisa (who is your mother Susan's first cousin). Lisa then had a son, Kevin.

  Kevin is your second cousin. This is because you both share Eleanor as a great-grandparent, and Kevin is the child of your mother's first cousin, Lisa. You are both two generations removed from a common set of first cousins (your mother and Lisa).

• Example 2: Genealogical Discovery

  During a genealogical research project, a person named Alex discovers that his great-grandfather, Robert, had a sister named Clara. Clara had a grandson named Michael.

  Alex and Michael would be second cousins. They both descend from Robert and Clara's parents (who are Alex's great-great-grandparents and Michael's great-grandparents), making Robert and Clara siblings. Since Alex is Robert's great-grandchild and Michael is Clara's grandchild, they share a common set of great-grandparents, establishing their relationship as second cousins.

• Example 3: Distant Relative at a Reunion

  At a large family gathering, you meet someone new, Maria. Your grandmother, Helen, introduces Maria by saying, "Maria's grandfather was my first cousin."

  This means Maria's grandfather and your grandmother Helen share a common set of grandparents. Therefore, Maria's grandfather is your great-uncle (or great-aunt's husband). Since Maria is the grandchild of your great-uncle/aunt's child, she is your second cousin. You both share the same set of great-grandparents, making your relationship a second cousin connection.