When Family Ties are Tied in Knots

I've got a knotted family tree. I think most of us do, to some degree or other. Those litttle quirks and kinks...don't we? (Oh please tell me I'm not the only one!)

OK, so I'll start with the simple one: My grandma E married grandpa D. E's brother, J, married D's sister, M. So, a brother and sister are married to a brother and sister... D and E are my dad's parents. So, J and M's kids are my dad's cousins--on BOTH sides. Double cousins.
That's not really that strange is it? For siblings to be married to siblings? Two of my mom's uncles married sisters too (and THEY live next door to each other!). They tried to convince their youngest brother to date the youngest sister...but he didn't. Instead he married my dad's sister.
Yeah, you heard that right, my mom's uncle married my dad's sister. THAT is where my family gets convoluted. It's really not half as weird as it sounds...mom is the oldest child of an oldest child, so grandma's youngest brother is only 6 years older than my mom... Of course, their kids are my mom's cousins, AND my cousins. How's THAT?!

When we got married, Hubby thought this was all sortof confusing. Then I found out that almost every family among his cousins had a David. That's a whole new brand of confusing. At least in my family we all got our own names!!!


Futhermore, I'm the oldest child in my family, and my youngest brother is a full 20 year my junior. Add that to the fact that I married into motherhood of a child who had been born when I was 18...and yes, you got that right, my son is older than my brother. Nice, huh? ☺


And, are you ready for the best one of all? In his teens, Hubby knew--and dated--a girl with my same name. Not just same first name--same first AND last name. She looks nothing like me, but hey, same name. Weird, huh?!


Sooo, if somebody is my dad's double cousin, what does that make them to me? Second cousins?!