second cousins

[hedgepiggle]

my grandaughter is in a relationship with my nephew. His mother and I are sisters. are they able to marry?

[4getmenot]

yes 1st cousins can marry. I think its wrong as somewhere down the line the same blood is shared

[hedgepiggle]

This relationship has caused a lot of bad feeling in the family. Mostly because grandad and I feel it is wrong but my sister says that it's ok. I agree with you because of the closeness of the relationship it's their children that any imperfections could arise.

[jackthehat]

Imperfections ?!?

Read this as it may reassure you on this point..........

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/ther es-nothing-wrong-with-cousins-getting-married- scientists-say-1210072.html

[New Judge]

The happy couple are in fact not second cousins but first cousins once removed. They are first cousins because the common ancestors to them are your parents. (To be second cousins the common ancestors would have to be your grandparents). They are �once removed� because your granddaughter is one generation younger than your nephew. (Your child � the parent of your granddaughter � and your nephew are true first cousins).

This article:

http://www.genetic-genealogy.co.uk/Toc11557014 5.html#Toc115570255

is one of many that provides details of forbidden marriages. You will note that marriages between true first cousins is not prohibited (and this is thanks to Henry VIII who had the law changed so that he could marry his cousin) so a union between first cousins once removed would not be illegal. However, the high degree of �consanguinity� (that is, kinship) would increase the likelihood of any children born from that union suffering from abnormalities.

[4getmenot]

I always though it was second cousins

[jackthehat]

He is her mums First Cousin.
They are separated by one generation therefore 'First Cousins once removed'.

[hedgepiggle]

Yes he is my nephew therefore my sons first cousin. It took me a while to see the explanation and get my head around it.

[4getmenot]

so what is a second cousin.

[jackthehat]

The relationship of first cousins' children to each other.......

[New Judge]

Yes, jack has hit the nail on the head.

There is an easy way to remember what are first cousins, second cousins and so on.

First cousins share common grandparents (that is, one of each of their parents are siblings).

Second cousins share common great grandparents (that is, one of each of their grandparents are siblings).

And so on. This means that second cousins are wider apart than first cousins in the family tree � i.e. in a different �column� - but are of the same generation.

Being �removed� means being of a higher or lower generation in the tree, the number of steps up or down being the number of times removed.

There are many websites where this is explained, but this one is quite easy to understand:


http://www.dumville.org/trees/cousins_tre.html

[4getmenot]

thanks jack x

[jackthehat]

Glad to have helped :o)

[zzxxee]

i dont particullarlly agree with it but i no prince albert and queen victoria were cousins

[New Judge]

What particularly don't you agree with, zzxxee?

It is a matter of fact that they were cousins, not opinion.

[terambulan]

They're obviously quite young and have not thought out the likely consequences to any babies of such a union. Its right that you, as grandparent, should be concerned.

Gently point out to the g.daughter the risks and that the heavier care load could blight their family life. Hopefully, they will grow out of each other.

[*Princess*]

I'm in two minds.

Firstly the whole 'oh they love eachother, let them be together and happy'

But secondly...'they're related. It's so wrong. They share blood. Surely they can find someone they're in love with who isn't related? Of course it increases the risks of genetic illnesses if they have children. Which I guess they will as they 'love' eachother.

To be honest I'd hope they split. It's not normal for a family to marry another family member.

[terambulan]

Wasn't Prince John (epileptic) descended from Q.Victoria? Epilepsy is not necessarily due to 'in breeding' but possible.

[hedgepiggle]

He is 26 and she is 17.

[Dolly1308]

Tell him to get lost and let your granddaughter enjoy her life before she gets tied down .

[coccinelle]

I don't see the problem at all, they share the same great grandparents for one and grandparents for the other. The blood link has been diluted quite a lot! It's not at all like cousins.
I can quite imagine at 17 there's nothing to worry about, after a couple of months at that age they've got bored anyway...