What is a distant cousin?

A distant cousin is a relative who is not part of your immediate family but shares a common ancestor with you. This could be a cousin of your parent or grandparent, or someone related to you through a more distant connection. Distant cousins may not have a close relationship with you, but they are still considered family in most cultures.

Distant cousins may be more difficult to keep in touch with compared to close relatives, as they are not as closely connected to your day-to-day life. However, many families make an effort to maintain relationships with their distant cousins through family gatherings, reunions, social media, and other means of communication.

Distant cousins can provide valuable information about your family history and genealogy, as they may have knowledge about branches of the family tree that you are not familiar with. Building relationships with distant cousins can also create a sense of connection and belonging to a larger extended family network.