What Does Twice Removed Mean in a Family Tree?

Family history (also called genealogy) is a popular endeavor, but the terms can often be confusing for a casual or beginning genealogist. It is easy to visualize aunts, uncles and cousins, but distant cousins can be hard to place in the mental family tree.

Identification

"Twice removed" refers to relationships that cross generational lines (two generations in this instance) but are not on a direct line. For instance, your grandfather is two generations removed from you, but you would not be "twice removed" from him. You grandfather's first cousin would be your first cousin twice removed.

Function

The term "twice removed" defines the distance between two people who are related. A larger number denotes a more distant relation.

Considerations

A first cousin twice removed is different from a second cousin. First, second and third cousins are within the same generation (i.e, your cousin's children are second cousins to your children but would be your first cousin once removed).

Effects

Genealogical research can often find distant ties to famous people or royalty, which can make for interesting family ties.

Famous Ties

Forty-third President George W. Bush is Playboy founder Hugh Hefner's ninth cousin, twice removed, and former Democratic rival John Kerry's 16th cousin, three times removed.

References

• Lyona Hales, Genealogical Consultant, Mapleton Utah
• MSNBC