Cousins-German

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Profile	Posted by	Options	Post Date
Member Since: January 2005 Posts: 43 Send Message	Hollyd	Report	6 May 2007 23:06
Member Since: January 2005 Posts: 43 Send Message	Have just found this on a marriage certificate with both having the same surname. It was under spinster. Anyone know what it means? Were they actual cousins marrying, or is this maybe something written when both have same surnames? Can anyone help please Patricia
Member Since: November 2002 Posts: 3 219 Send Message	Sue in Somerset	Report	6 May 2007 23:19
	They'd be first cousins Sue
Member Since: November 2002 Posts: 3 219 Send Message	Sue in Somerset	Report	6 May 2007 23:26
	The term cousin became very over used in medieval times onwards and was often used just to denote some sort of undefined kinship. It is still used by the Monarch when writing to other nobles who are Earls and above even if any blood relationship is very very far back. In order to define a genuine cousin when necessary the term Cousin German became used. The word german meaning genuine or full. A brother or sister german is not a half or step sibling. Sue
Member Since: January 2005 Posts: 43 Send Message	Hollyd	Report	6 May 2007 23:42
Member Since: January 2005 Posts: 43 Send Message	Thanks Sue. I've just started on this side so that will help. Patricia