I think you're all basically right. My American Heritage Dictionary says: "Having the same parents, or having the same grandparents on one side: cousin-german. Lat. germanus/germen, off-shoot." Kathleen VH On Nov 27, 2006, at 1:03 PM, Sheila Lafleur wrote: > Thanks kindly for the replys > > It is difficult enough trying to follow between natural children > and lawful > children who belongs to who :-) > > Not to mention the use of the same first names over and over . > > brothers german = full brothers > > This information will also definately help > > Cheers > > Sheila > >