Most of the folks who know me know I love doing genealogy, and am considered the source for information among my cousins for information on the May and Quinn families. Last night I had the wonderful privilege of meeting face to face for the first time, Mike and Mary Ellen. We had corresponded for several years via email, and had shared information. Mike and I are fourth cousins-twice removed on the May side. What does that mean? It means that his g.g.g.g.g.grandfather(Philip H. May) is my g.g.g.grandfather. What is totally wierd, is that we are actually more closely related on my mother's, mother's, father's, father's, mother's side. Got that?
We are fourth cousins ONCE removed on the Coffee side. BUT if you go back one more generation, Mary Ellen and I are related, TOO. (yes, that means she is distantly related to her husband - but weren't FDR and Eleanor cousins?)
Here is the easy way to understand - persons who share grandparents are cousins, or first cousins. Those who share great-grandparents are second cousins. If on either side one individual is a generation off, that is once removed. My first cousin's child is NOT my 2nd cousin, but is my first cousin, once removed. My second cousin's grandchild is not my 4th cousin, but is my second cousin, twice removed. Thus Mike's grandfather and I would be fourth cousins, and Mike is twice removed from that. Got it?
Now, to the good part. Mike and Mary Ellen took me to a wonderful steak place for dinner, the Railhead. We had a great visit over dinner, and then a very enjoyable time back at their lovely home. I probably stayed too long, but I just love getting to know my kinfolk. Thanks, Mike and Mary Ellen, for your wonderful hospitality.
2 comments:
Who knew that even fourth cousins twice removed could have smilar smiles?! Did you notice that?
No, I did not notice the smiles. But, the chins and noses seem to have some similarities.
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