Successfully Tracing And Contacting Relations

Kin Tree is often asked if we can search for descendants as well as ancestors. The answer is yes! 

The research itself is similar to looking for ancestors because what is important is to carry it out in a systematic way and have the knowledge to know where to access the information.

It  is  not  only direct  descendants  that people are interested  in finding but also  2nd, 3rd, 4th cousins  etc. People look for these relations for a variety of reasons. Occasionally it is for medical reasons but mostly it is simply to widen their family circle and find out what happened to other branches of the family.

What sometimes worries people is what reaction they will get to the initial contact that is made.  Most people are welcoming and interested themselves and the worst that is going to happen is that someone says they are not interested or doesn't reply.

The way in which you contact someone is very important.  The best way to get in touch is by mail.  This gives the person the time to think about what you are saying and how they want to respond.  If you phone them then they may be suspicious that you are trying to scam them and could brush you off. 

The important things to remember

• Be specific about why you are getting in touch
• Explain how you obtained their contact details
• Give them multiple ways of contacting you so they can pick the one with which they are comfortable
• Offer to share information with them
• Be patient! Some people don't answer for a while

After you successfully contact and get a response from your relation then it can provide new information for you.  It is often one person in the family who inherits the old photos and documents and they are likely to be a rich source of information.  All great for filling in some blanks in your family tree!

If you would like help to search then please contact us for a no obligation free chat.

Contact us by email: kintree@ymail.com  

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First Cousin Once removed? Second Cousin? Find Out The Difference!

Have you ever wondered about why some people talk about their 2nd cousin but others say their 1st cousin once removed?   Do you know the difference?  It is straightforward once you know what it is!  

At Kin Tree, we can provide you with charts showing the relationships between your ancestors but here is a quick guide.

We all know what a cousin is and they are our 1st cousins. 

• 1st cousins have two grandparents that are the same. 
• 2nd cousins have two of the same great grandparents but different grandparents. 
• 3rd cousins have two great great grandparents in common but different descendants after that.

and so it carries on back through the generations.

If you look at our chart below, you will see that 

• Hannah and Martin are 1st cousins as they share two of the same grandparents.  
• Hannah daughter Olivia and Martin's son Robert are 2nd cousins as they have different grandparents but share two of the same great grandparents.
• Olivia's son William and Robert's daughter Zoe are 3rd cousins

So what about a cousin once removed?

A cousin once removed comes into play where you have a common ancestor but are in different generations of the family tree.  If you are one generation different then it is called once removed, two generations is twice removed and so on. So your mother or father's cousin is your cousin once removed, your grandmother or grandfather's cousin is your cousin twice removed etc.

In our chart, look at how people are related to Kate.  

• Hannah and Kate are 1st cousins.
• Hannah's daughter Olivia and Kate are 1st cousins once removed.
• Hannah's grandson William and Kate are 1st cousins twice removed.

So To Remember

• 1st cousins: Share two grandparents.
• 2nd cousins: Share two great grandparents (but not the same grandparents)
• Cousins Once removed : One generation apart in the family tree
• Cousins Twice removed: Two generations apart in the family tree

Remember Kin Tree can help you with any questions you have about your family history so please get in touch!  Leave a message here or email us at kintree@ymail.com for some friendly help.

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