Conversation on the subject of who is related to whom often bogs down over terminology, particularly when it comes to defining cousins.

          Your first cousin, of course, is your parent’s brother’s (or sister’s) child.  However, the first cousin’s child is not your second cousin, as is sometimes thought to be the case, but your first cousin once removed.  The child of the first cousin one removed is your first cousin twice removed, and his child your first cousin three times removed.

          Your second cousin is your grandparent’s brother’s (or sister’s) grandchild.  The second cousin’s child is your second cousin once removed, his child your second twice removed, and so on.

          And your third cousin?  It’s your great-grandparent’s brother’s (or sister’s) great grandchild.  The third cousin’s child is your third cousin once removed, his child your third cousin twice removed.