How are we related? Cousins, “once removed” and in-laws, explained

Family words get confusing fast. Here is the simple way to work out how two relatives are connected, and Kinrooted does it for you on the tree.

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Cousins, in one rule

First cousins share grandparents. Second cousins share great-grandparents. Third cousins share great-great-grandparents.
“Removed” means a different generation. Your first cousin’s child is your first cousin once removed; their grandchild is your first cousin twice removed.
Your parent’s first cousin is also your first cousin once removed, just one generation up.

Your parent’s sibling is your aunt or uncle; their parent’s sibling is your great-aunt or great-uncle (also called grand-aunt).
Your sibling’s child is your niece or nephew; their child is your grandniece or grandnephew.
In-laws come through marriage: your spouse’s parents and siblings, and your siblings’ spouses.
Half siblings share one parent; step relatives come through a parent’s partner.

Kinrooted labels every person on your tree from where you stand: “first cousin once removed”, “great-aunt”, “sister-in-law”.
Switch “Viewing as” to see the tree from another relative’s point of view.
Search in plain words, such as “my cousins on my mum’s side”.

Someone who shares great-grandparents with you, but not grandparents. Your parent’s first cousin’s child is your second cousin.

A first cousin from one generation away: your first cousin’s child, or your parent’s first cousin.

No. A first cousin once removed shares more ancestry with you: your common ancestors are closer.

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