What is "dritter Grad der Blutsverwandtschaft" (third degree/grade of blood relationship) Just found the term "dritter Grad der Blutsverwandtschaft" in a 1793 marriage record of northern Alsace. I know that I can translate this to "third degree or grade of blood relationship", but that does not really help me. Are we talking about second cousins? third cousins? * * * Added after some reflection: The two men so identified were members of the bride's wedding party, but neither was the groom. I have not seen such identifications in any other records from the era and area. Why would they be added here?

Second cousins would be the " _third degree of blood relationship_ ". People who were related more closely than that were not permitted to marry (without special dispensation).

!Consanguinity

* Source - Wikipedia



As the above table shows, second cousins were not the only family relationship that would qualify as _third degree of blood relationship_ , but in cases like this it probably means _Second cousins_ , or perhaps _Second cousins Once removed_.

The ages of the individuals (if provided) might give a better idea about the exact relationship.