Free Relationship Chart For Genealogists

Friday, 27 January 2017

Free Relationship Chart For Genealogists

If you are confused by cousins, second cousins, once, twice or more removed then you need a relationship chart. It is quite simple when you see it in a chart. If you are both grandchildren of the same ancestor then your relationship is first cousins, if the ancestor is a shared great grandfather then you are second cousins and so on.
If there is a generation between you then you are x cousins once removed. If there are two generations then three times removed and so on.

The easiest way is to use a chart. Below is a chart I use up to 4 x great grandchild. You can download a copy here.

Relationship Chart

Firstly find your common ancestor. Across is your relatives relationship with your ancestor. Down is your relationship. follow both lines to where they cross, that is your relationship. For example if the you are a grandson (row 2) and they are a great grandson (column 3) the lines meet at first cousin once removed

		1	2	3	4	5	6
	Common Ancestor Self	Son/ Daughter	Grandson/ GrandDaughter	Great Grandson/ GrandDaughter	Great Great Grandson/ GrandDaughter	3 x Great Grandson/ GrandDaughter	4 x Great Grandson/ GrandDaughter
1	Son/ Daughter	Brother/ Sister	Nephew/ Niece	Grand Nephew/ Niece	Great Nephew/ Niece	2 x Great Nephew/ Niece	3 x Great Nephew/ Niece
2	Grandson/ Grandaughter	Nephew/ Niece	First Cousin	First Cousin Once removed	First Cousin Twice removed	First Cousin 3 x removed	First Cousin 4 x removed
3	Great Grandson/ Grandaughter	Grand Nephew/ Niece	First Cousin Once removed	Second Cousin	2nd Cousin Once removed	2nd Cousin Twice removed	2nd Cousin 3 x removed
4	2 x Great Grandson/ Grandaughter	Great Nephew/ Niece	First Cousin Twice removed	2nd Cousin Once removed	Third Cousin	3rd Cousin Once removed	3rd Cousin Twice removed
5	3 x Great Grandson/ Grandaughter	Great Great Nephew/ Niece	First Cousin 3 x removed	2nd Cousin Twice removed	3rd Cousin Once removed	Fourth Cousin	4th Cousin Once removed
6	4 x Great Grandson/ Grandaughter	3 x Great Nephew/ Niece	First Cousin 4 x removed	2nd Cousin 3 x removed	3rd Cousin Twice removed	4th Cousin Once removed	Fifth Cousin

I hope this is helpful to you. If you would like more tips then have a look at my family tree series by clicking on the tab at the top or on the tree below.