mother adopted, looking for relatives

[benrea]

Hello All,
First, I am trying to find my mother's relatives (she was adopted). Currently I have a woman who matches as my mothers second cousin (and my third cousin). My mother was born in 1918 and the match was born in 1973, so I know they did not have the same great grandparents. How do I interpret these results? I am really new to this, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
-Ben

[GayeSherman]

Given the facts, I'm going to guess that:

One pair of your mother's grandparents were the match's great great grandparents

If so, they would be 1st cousins twice removed.

http://genealogy.about.com/library/nrelationshipchart.htm

That is an amazing match. I hope the match has a solid verified family tree.

Congratulations!

[mkdexter]

Hello All,
First, I am trying to find my mother's relatives (she was adopted). Currently I have a woman who matches as my mothers second cousin (and my third cousin). My mother was born in 1918 and the match was born in 1973, so I know they did not have the same great grandparents. How do I interpret these results? I am really new to this, so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
-Ben

What is the sum shared between the two as it is listed on the match page?

Thanks,

Matt

[benrea]

Thank you for the clarification. Looking at the chart and the match's family tree that relationship looks reasonable. I just want to make sure I have acurate information before contacting her. I'm really hoping she will be able to help us find links to my mother's past.

Thanks Again,
-Ben

[mkdexter]

what is the sum?

[benrea]

Matt, Is this the information you need?

SharedCM 197.8
Longest Block 36

-ben

[mkdexter]

Yes.

Unless there is a half cousin relationship in there, the two are either 1st cousins twice removed, or 2nd cousins.

I'd say by what you first posted, 1st twice removed so that match's grandparent and your mom are first cousins.

Matt

[benrea]

Thanks Matt. Second Cousins doesn't work, but 1st cousin twice removed looks like a possibility.

Thanks all for your help. Genetics is a wonderful thing!

-ben