In a message dated 2/26/00 8:21:08 AM Pacific Standard Time, JUtleyMail@aol.com writes: << This is the best explanation I've seen about how to determine cousins and "removed". Jackie >> Thank you for sharing this explanation--it makes it all very simple. Dorothy Blankenship--searching for parents of John C. Blankinship, b. 1825 in Tn, m. Margaret Cannon, b. 1827 in Tn, m. 1846, Gibson County, Tn.listed on the 1850 census with two daughters--Buena Vista--age 4, and Eliza, age 3. The 1860 census lists Margaret as Head of Household, with a daughter, Mandia, age 13, (we assume this to be Eliza from 1850 using a middle (or first name)also, sons, John, age 7 and Albert, age 3. (my GGrandfather) The problems seems to be that there was at least one other John C. in Gibson County in 1850--both the same age. The other John is listed in the household of his parents--Thomas and Mary McKelvy Blankinship. Information on the two of them have been intermingled, making it harder than ever to trace our John. Any information would be gratefully accepted!