Saying Uncle

Some terms used in family history discussions with relatives may not be as specific as we would like. Be careful before becoming one hundred percent convinced that there is a biological relationship between two individuals. Referring to someone as an "uncle" may mean that the "uncle" is:

• the brother of the person's mother or father
• the husband of a sister of the person's mother or father
• the brother of the person's grandmother or grandfather (or great-grandparent)
• the husband of a sister of the person's mother or father (or great-grandparent)
• a close male friend of the person's parents