Who Are These People?

Here is a chart to help you figure out why you go to these reunions. How are you related to all of these people anyway?

It is pretty simple. You have to choose two people and figure out which ancestor they have in common. Follow one along the top, and the other down the side. Where they intersect, is the relationship. If it is the spouse, that you are related to, then simply add in-law.

Here are some examples:

Example #1 - Denise Shutt and David Leong.

We share the same grandparents, so I follow along the top, to grandparent, and down the side to grandparent. The intersection indicates that we are First Cousins. Dede’s husband, Roland, and I are First Cousins In-Law.

Example #2 - Jerry Leong and Micheliene Yim

Their ancestor in common, is Chow King. Chow King is Jerry’s grandfather, and Micheliene’s great-grandfather. So if we follow the chart to grandfather, for Jerry, and great-grandfather for Micheliene, they intersect at First Cousins Once Removed. Micheliene and Holly Leong, Jerry’s wife, are First Cousins, Once Removed, In-Law.

Example #3 – Auntie Ann and Sophia Weil

They also have to go back to Chow King to find their common ancestor. Chow King is Auntie Ann’s father, and Sophia’s Great Great Grandparent, therefore they are Great Grand Niece and Great Grand Aunt. (You lose a level of greatness, because a niece or nephew is not a grandniece).

Now find yourself and a relative.

Cousinology Chart

Ancestor in Common	Parent	Grandparent	Great Grandparent	Great Great Grandparent	4 Grand Parent	5 Grand Parent
Parent	Brother or Sister	Niece or Nephew	Grand Nephew or Niece	2 Grand Nephew or Niece	3 Grand Nephew or Niece	4 Grand Nephew or Niece
Grandparent	Niece or Nephew	First Cousins	First Cousins Once Removed	First Cousins Twice Removed	First Cousins Thrice Removed	First Cousins 4X Removed
Great Grandparent	Grand Nephew or Niece	First Cousins Once Removed	Second Cousins	Second Cousins Once Removed	Second Cousins Twice Removed	Second Cousins Thrice Removed
Great Great Grandparent	2 Grand Nephew or Niece	First Cousins Twice Removed	Second Cousins Once Removed	Third Cousins	Third Cousins Once Removed	Third Cousins Twice Removed
4 Grand Parent	3 Grand Nephew or Niece	First Cousins Thrice Removed	Second Cousins Twice Removed	Third Cousins Once Removed	Fourth Cousins	Fourth Cousins Once Removed
5 Grand Parent	4 Grand Nephew or Niece	First Cousins 4X Removed	Second Cousins Thrice Removed	Third Cousins Twice Removed	Fourth Cousins Once Removed	Fifth Cousins