Family tree question re Steps n In-Laws

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-13-2005
Family tree question re Steps n In-Laws
2
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 11:37am

Hi there! I have been here a couple of times and have found this board very helpful.

I have a couple of family tree questions, looking at my husbands family tree:

Is there such a thing as a step-cousin? And if I were married to someone who had a step-cousin, would they be my step-cousin-in-law? Also, if my sister-in-law gets married, am I related to her husband? I didn't think so but thought I would ask.

Would I be related in anyway to a person who is of absolutely no blood relation to anyone in my husbands family except for his step-grandmother (if there is even such a thing)?

Just wondering.

Thanks,
Jesse's Mom

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2005
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 3:44pm

I think it depends on how you view the relationships.

First, I have steps in a lot of ways - Sbrothers, Scousins, Saunts, etc. There are some with whom I am relatively close and I consider them cousins, aunts, etc. That's because I like them. There are others that I don't see and could pass on the street and wouldn't recognize. I don't really consider them part of the family. In my life, it depends on the age of the "cousins" when their parent married into the family. If it's a child living at home, well, yeah, then it's a normal cousin, just like everybody else. But, when you're talking adult children living outside the house when their parent married into the family, then it's a lot different. I'd consider that some weird extended family, but not really a relative.

My stepbrothers are slightly different. I have one who was estranged and is now spending more time with my dad. I love my (step)dad and I treat him like he was my own brother. The other three I don't see ever (in 20+ years), so they don't even come into my thoughts.

I would say that if your SIL gets married, then you have a BIL.

I wouldn't spend so much time labeling them as deciding how you feel about them. Or, how you and DH view them as having a relationship with you. I guess if I really liked them and wanted to spend time with them, I'd stop calling them "step". I mean, it's not really nice to be labeled as a "step" anything forever.

Just my opinion, for what it's worth.

Jenn

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 4:31pm

"Is there such a thing as a step-cousin?"

Not really. Technically your step parents neice or nephew would be your step cousin, but really they are nothing to you other than a fellow human in the world.

"And if I were married to someone who had a step-cousin, would they be my step-cousin-in-law?"

Lol, only in the extreme technical use of the words.

"Also, if my sister-in-law gets married, am I related to her husband?"

By law, he would be your brother in law. Related "in law", not in blood or adoption.

"Would I be related in anyway to a person who is of absolutely no blood relation to anyone in my husbands family except for his step-grandmother "

The connection is so distant that it is zero to slim at best.

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