What is "once and twice removed" in a family?

Question

I always hear the terms "once removed and twice removed" when referring to families, but I never knew what it meant. Can someone please help me with this dilemma?

Does this only refer to cousins?

I am appreciating all theses answers, because it was always something that baffled me.

Answer 1

Yes, I think I can help you. When they refer to once removed they would be referring to a generation. For instance, Your 1st cousin is once removed. They ,(your 1st cousin) are the offspring of either your Mother, or Fathers, Brother or Sister. Your Parents and their siblings would be the beginning, then their children, (the next generation), would be once removed in relation to each other. Likewise, their children then, would be twice removed in relation to each other. This is why normally, instead of using the term once, or twice removed, they say 1st, 2nd, or 3rd cousin. The same principle applies to whomever you refer to in the Family. Lets say, Grandparents. You have your Grandparents,(your Parents, parents), then you have your Great Grandparents and then Great Great Grandparents, and so on. The same is true with Aunts and Uncles on and on. I hope I was of some help to you here. I hope I explained in a way that was easy to follow and understand. Your friend on line, Terry

Let me know if I helped you understand OK. [e-mail]

Answer 2

A cousin once removed means that they are your second cousin. In other words your mother or father's cousin. Twice removed is the second cousins children.

Answer 3

Example your mother's cousin is once removed to you but their children would be your second cousin, and their children would be your second cousin once removed. It has to do with what generation they are to you.

Answer 4

My cousin once removed would be my cousin's spouse.