What does this make me? Geneology Q
 

Hi all,

A cousin on my mothers side has just had a baby boy, what relation am I to it? My knowledge of the particulars of geneology isn't that great, so i'm calling myself an uncle(and in all fairness i still will if i'm not right:thumbsup:) for now.

To get this straight:

Your mother's brother/sister's child had a child? OR Your aunt/uncle's child had a child?

The child of your aunt/uncle is a first cousin. The child of a first cousin is a "first cousin once removed." The child of the child of a first cousin is a "first cousin twice removed" ... etc.

You are an uncle, at least in my upbringing's greetings and recognitions. Kudos and commendations that you still associate with extended family.



So as to keep this going, what's with "once (twice) removed" title that American families love to say, but I have no reckoning to what they are referring?

my aunties daughter had a baby

First cousin once removed ...

The person who had the baby is your first cousin. The "once removed" part is a generational thing; you are one generation away from the baby.

It gets even more confusing when the generations don't match ... I have a couple of cousins who are older than my mother.

vanblah is correct (as long as the aunt isnt a great aunt, but is the sibling of one of your parents) The only time you are an uncle is if one of your siblings has a child

Aren't these the same? Your mother's brother/sister is your uncle/aunt.

One of the few things Wolfram Alpha is currently good for.
cousin's son - Wolfram|Alpha

Yes. I was being very specific and redundant so that there would be less chance for misunderstanding.

It's amazing how quickly we lose blood relationships (genetically). Even your first cousin barely shares any DNA.