First cousin, second cousin, etc. are cousins that are equally distant from the common ancestor, grandchildren, great grandchildren, or great great, etc. The removed comes when they are an odd number of generations from the common ancestor. The number of generations down from the common ancestor that they are equal determines which cousin they are, then the number of generations that the one person is further away from that cousin-ship determines how far "removed" they are. (I know, this is probably as clear as mud.) Joe and Jane are brother and sister. Joe's son Mike & Jane's daughter Michelle are first cousins. Mike's son Sam & Michelle's daughter Sandra are second cousins. Sandra has a daughter Kathy. Kathy is Sam's second cousin once removed. Does that help??? Karen