The degree of kinship (or relationship) is determined by the number of generations between 2 persons related by blood. Each generation represents one degree.

Example of degrees of kinship:

• parent to child is the first degree of kinship;
  
• grand-child to grand-parent or brother to sister have a second degree of kinship;
  
• a nephew or niece to their uncle or aunt have a third degree of kinship.
  
• first cousins have a fourth degree of kinship.