> The simplest way to explain 1st, 2nd, 3rd cousins vs. 1st cousins > twice removed, three times removed, etc. is to look back to the > common ancestor you and your cousins share and then count the number > of number of generations from that common ancestor down to you and > your cousin. If the number of generations is the SAME for each of > you then you are 1st, 2nd cousins, etc. -- but if the number of > generations differs then you are "removed" by the number of > generations that differ. > > JYoung6180@aol.com Joan, I am not the one who asked the question but I am one who benefitted from your answer. Thanks. Barbara Mac Barbara McLeod <1brown1blue@gmail.com>