Collateral Consanguinity

Karen Forsling Kamauoha with Cosmo (Is Edwin in that costume?)

Tonight's post is dedicated to my illustrious brother-in-law, Edwin Kamauoha, Esq....My 'Analog Man' post spawned an email string that provided non-stop entertainment for a good 12 hours! The main topic of that conversation was "Lineal Consanguinity." Say what? Edwin dropped that on us in one of his eloquent responses. Lineal consanguinity is that relation which exists among persons, where one is descended from the other, as between the son and the father or the grandfather, and so upwards in a direct ascending line; and between the father and the son or the grandson, and so downwards in a direct descending line. Every generation in this direct course makes a degree, computing either in the ascending or descending line. This being the natural mode of computing the degrees of lineal consanguinity, it has been adopted by the civil, the canon, and the common law. Whew! OK Edwin, try this on for size:  
Collateral consanguinity is the relation subsisting among persons who descend from the same common ancestor, but not from each other. It is essential to constitute this relation, that they spring from the same common root or stock, but in different branches. The mode of computing the degrees is to discover the common ancestor and, beginning with him to reckon downwards, so the degree the two persons, or the more remote of them, is distant from the ancestor is the degree of kindred subsisting between them. For instance, two brothers are related to each other in the first degree because from the father to each of them is one degree. An uncle and a nephew are related to each other in the second degree, because the nephew is two degrees distant from the common ancestor, and the rule of computation is extended to the remotest degrees of collateral relationship. This is the mode of computation by the common and canon law. The method of computing by the civil law is to begin at either of the persons in question and count up to the common ancestor, and then downwards to the other person, calling it a degree for each person, both ascending and descending, and the degrees they stand from each other is the degree in which they stand related. Thus, from a nephew to his father is one degree; to the grandfather, two degrees and then to the uncle, three; which points out the relationship....Holy Molly!!!!! So, what does this all mean? Edwin is married to my little sister! ....Take a look at some famous siblings you may know:

The Kennedy's
The illustrious clan gathers for a group portrait taken in 1937, when father Joseph served as ambassador to England. From left: Rose, Ted, Rosemary, Joe Jr., Joe Sr., Eunice, Jean, John, Bobby, Patricia and Kathleen.

Hank and Tommie Aaron combined for the most HR's in MLB history:  768

 (Hank hit 755, Tommie hit 13)

The Bush's
 George W sits at the far right. In this 1964 photo, he is joined by (from left) Marvin, George H.W. Bush, Jeb, Dorothy (on the floor), Barbara and Neil.

The Manning's
A spinal condition kept oldest son Cooper (middle) out of football, where Eli (top) and Peyton would star in the NFL.

Ann Landers and Dear Abby
Twins Ann (née Esther) and Abigail (née Pauline) were born 17 minutes apart. Both of them enjoyed successful careers as advice columnists.

The Baldwins
Alec is the oldest of this acting clan, which includes (from left, after Alec) Stephen, William and Daniel. Sisters Jane and Elizabeth stayed out of show business.

The Bee Gees
Barry is the first born of the Gibb brothers. He was joined three years later by fraternal twins Robin and Maurice. Together, they created the monstrously successful Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. A fourth brother, Andy, also enjoyed a successful career in pop.

The Everly Brothers
Though they harmonized beautifully on stage, Phil (left) and Don Everly quarreled often.

The Jackson's
While the Jackson's faded from view, youngest brother Michael (front row, second from right) rose to international stardom and ignominy.

The DiMaggio's
Joltin' Joe was one of nine children. His older brother Vince, left, and younger brother Dom also made it to the major leagues.

The Ripken's
In 20 years with the Baltimore Orioles, older brother Cal Jr. (left) set several all-time records and reached the baseball Hall of Fame. After a strong rookie year, younger brother Billy struggled to make it in the major leagues.

Theodore and Elliott Roosevelt
The younger Elliott (left), a melancholy drug addict, died of alcoholism seven years before his brother became president.

The Windsors
The Queen and her family pose for a 1968 portrait. From left, Princess Anne, Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, Prince Charles, Her Royal Majesty, and Prince Andrew.

Warren Beatty and Shirley MacLaine
In a 1996 interview, MacLaine, who is older, said that their drama teacher mother pushed them to succeed. "There's no way," she said, "Warren and I wouldn't become stars."

The Wright Brothers
Orville (right center, dark coat) and Wilbur (center next to Orville) learned the mathematics of flight from younger sister Katherine, who stands beside her two famous brothers in this photo. The other Wright children, Lorin (far left) and Reuchlin join them at the sides.

Who are YOU related too???