Less related than second cousins, the law doesn’t recognize as related at all.

[raccoon]

Somebody told me that ages ago. Any legal folks here know if it’s true or not?

(I’m not wanting to marry my umpteenth cousin; I just want to know.)

[Thirtieschild]

1. Is a word missing? Law doesn't recognize ?what? as related at all.

If your families have been here long enough you are likely to be distant cousins.

a. there weren't all that many people in the early days and you had to marry who you knew, which generally meant the girl or boy down the road.
b. we each have so many ancestors at the 10th (1024), 11th (2048) or 12th (4096) generational levels that there's almost certainly going to be some cross connections.

Cases in point:
Husband's parents are 8th cousins twice, both times through Connecticut.
Husband's mother is my father's 8th cousin twice through late 17th and early 18th century Mennonites.
Husband's mother is my mother's 8th cousin through Massachusetts.
My paternal grandparents are 8th cousins going back to Switzerland.
Would bet the ranch that my maternal grandparents are cousins through Massachusetts by way of Virginia, but will never prove it.
All of which means that Mr. D and I are ninth cousins three times.

Study genealogy long enough and you can see how the song "I'm My Own Grandpa" can happen. Well, almost.

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. There's gotta be a law against you two being married

There's just gotta be :-)

[raccoon]

3. Meaning, the law doesn't recognize that there is a blood relationship at all

if you are further apart than second cousins. IOW, as far as the law is concerned, you aren't related to a third/fourth cousin, etc., at all.

Seems to me this (if it's true) would mainly be relevant in case of an inheritance.

[Lex]

4. You mean for marrying purposes or inheritance purposes?

There is a difference.

[raccoon]

5. I don't think I'm expressing myself very well.

Ever have one of those days?

If I had to say one I would say inheritance.

[LSdemocrat]

7. For inheritance, the law (can) go well beyond second cousin

Under the standard intestacy (dying without a will) statutes, property can go all the way to a third cousin thrice removed. What the hell is a "third cousin thrice removed"? I haven't the slightest idea.

On edit: these statutes can vary by state, and this post should not be used for legal guidance

[fudge stripe cookays]

8. Third cousins...

are folks whose great grandparents were brothers and/or sisters.

For instance:
1st cousins- parents were brother/sister
2nd cousins- grandparents were "
3rd cousins- great grandparents were "

The thrice removed enters the picture when there is a generation of difference between the relationships. For instance, your parents' 1st cousins would be YOUR 1st cousins once removed, because there is a generation of difference.

If you have kids, and your first cousin has a kid, those kids would be second cousins to each other, because they are in the same generation, with the same degree of relationship.

So do that for two more generations for thrice removed.

Does that make sense?

fsc <-- diehard genealogist

[Thirtieschild]

6. Thanks for the explanation.

And for being kind about my stupidity. As soon as I sent the message asking ?what? the light bulb went on. At one time in my life I thought I had decent intelligence. Now I'm not so sure.