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Archiver > TMG > 2004-06 > 1086103672


From: Darrell Martin <>
Subject: RE: [TMG] Relationship
Date: Tue, 1 Jun 2004 10:27:52 -0500 (GMT-05:00)


Hi, Lee:

I agree with you about terminology, but I think your reasoning on the genetic side is faulty. I can have cousins that share 1, 2, 3, or 4 grandparents with me (examples of 4 in my own family -- siblings married siblings). They are by term, in English, all "first cousins" to me. However, the chance for genetic sharing with a "double cousin" is roughly four times that of a "half-cousin" if all of the grandparents are otherwise unrelated, regardless of correct usage.

I think we need to realize that people do use those terms, sometimes, correct or not. I *don't* think TMG needs to use them if they are not generally accepted. For example, if I married my brother-in-law's half-sister, our children *might* be referred to as "one-and-a-half cousins". I hope I never see that in print as actual usage [grin].

Darrell M.

-----Original Message-----
From: Lee Hoffman <>
Sent: Jun 1, 2004 9:44 AM
To:
Subject: RE: [TMG] Relationship

Shankland\(Train\) wrote:
> > For genealogical purposes, you are either cousins or not -- "half-cousins"
> > is not a valid genealogical term (according to the "experts"). So if your
> > cousin is descended from your G-GF, then she _is_ your cousin.
>
>Thanks, I never heard this. I know you can have a half brother so
>assumed the same was for cousins.

Think about it and draw lines of biological relationship. Your
half-sibling has half (about) the genes that you do because you share one
parent. But for a cousin you share only a single ancestor - the ancestor
of focus -- either the paternal or the maternal.

>We are related through the same Great grandfather but not the same great
>grandmother.

So she is your 2nd cousin (possibly with removes if she is a generation
older or younger than you.

Hope this helps -

Lee Hoffman/KY
TMG Tips: <http://www.tmgtips.com>;
My website: <http://www.tmgtips.com/lhoffman>;
A user of the best genealogy program, The Master Genealogist (TMG)


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Darrell A. Martin
a native Vermonter in exile in Illinois


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