The 1888 index for the Probate Registry contains the following entry: "10 May, administration of personal estate of Constantine Edward Clarance late of 12 Lacey Street, Bow, bachelor, died 3 Feb 1888, granted at Principal Registry to Fanny Anne Hurst (wife of Joseph Hurst Esq) of Orchard House, Walton on Thames, Surrey, the cousin German and one of the next of kin." Question - what is a "cousin German"? (note - Fanny was born in Essex.) Perhaps this is a well-known phrase, but it is the first time I have come across it. Mary in London

>Question - what is a "cousin German"? (note - Fanny was born in Essex.) >Perhaps this is a well-known phrase, but it is the first time I have come >across >it. > >Mary in London ___________________ Although I hadn't realized it prior to your question, the term appears in Webster's English Dictionary. Lois in California _________________________________________________________________ FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar – get it now! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/

Hello Mary, you wrote < Question - what is a "cousin German"? (note - Fanny was born in Essex.) > There is a simple and straightforward answer to your query. First of all, a "cousin german" - or sometimes shown as "cousin-germane" has nothing at all to do with Germany! Rather it is what we would nowadays commonly describe as a 'first-cousin' - that is, it means, in legal terms, someone who has a parent who is brother or sister of either of ones own parents. The term comers from the Old French word 'germain' from the Latin 'germen' = sprout or offshoot. Fred Jackson