Are Distant Step Cousins a Real Thing? (eyes, find, family tree)

[Einhander]

You know.. I've been doing some thinking. And since my great grandma had 2 different marriages, then that means that my great grandpa was the step father of my half great aunts and uncles.

So if that's the case, then could I just explain to my half cousin my other cousins are still her step cousins? Because if there ever was a term that would be the term. It would make me feel a lot better to tell her that we're still all a family. She thinks they're just her cousins. But if I tell her the truth, I could say that they are still her step cousins.

[CatzPaw]

Originally Posted by Einhander

You know.. I've been doing some thinking. And since my great grandma had 2 different marriages, then that means that my great grandpa was the step father of my half great aunts and uncles.

So if that's the case, then could I just explain to my half cousin my other cousins are still her step cousins? Because if there ever was a term that would be the term. It would make me feel a lot better to tell her that we're still all a family. She thinks they're just her cousins. But if I tell her the truth, I could say that they are still her step cousins.

Yes, of course. You can call them step-cousins.

The fact that they were not related to her by blood really won't matter to her like it does to you. Really.

Show her the tree and explain the relationship. If the great aunts and uncles were children at the time, they probably lived in the same household as your great grandfather and were treated as his full children. Even if that is not the case (like they were older or something), at this point in time, it is an interesting story in the family tree, not some life-changing issue.

Tell her what you have discovered. Don't act like it's a big deal. "Here's something I've uncovered and I think you'll find this interesting ..."

Don't worry about exact technicalities and excessive details. If she has never had any interest in genealogy before, her eyes will glaze over. Keep it simple.

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by Einhander

You know.. I've been doing some thinking. And since my great grandma had 2 different marriages, then that means that my great grandpa was the step father of my half great aunts and uncles.

I don't do step-anything. If they are not directly related by DNA, I have no interest.

I have a cousin born in 1974 and she's been married six times. Granted, one spouse did die during the marriage, but I'm not listing all of the step-children, or the spouses of her spouses and 4 of them have been married one to three times before marrying her. If they don't like it, I'm real sorry about their luck.

If I would be you, I would just point out that your great-grandmother had children from two different marriages and let your cousin draw their own conclusions. Whatever your cousin decides is right for your cousin, and you can call them whatever you want, although they'll probably be quite cross with you if you call them late for dinner.