Today, we’re finely distinguishing between “First Cousins” and “Once-removed.

First, Second, etc. is determined by the distance of a common ancestor…ie- grandparents. Simply put, we count the number of “g’s.” Shared grandparents, one “g,” means First cousins. Shared great-grandparents, two “g’s,” Second cousins.

Removal has to do with generational differences. Once removed is one generation difference. Twice removed is two generations. So, my parent’s cousins are my cousins…once removed. ...