On National Cousins Day, we’re looking back at the special family relationship over the years.


The day was created to recognise the lifelong bonds that we have with our cousins.
Often, the first friendships that we make in our lives are with these family members. We make them as infants, and they last for a lifetime.

Cousins Theo Burns, aged four, and Violet Burns, aged one, from Carlisle, at The Cumberland Show in 2016 (Image: Louise Porter)
Whether you have grown up with your cousin or only see them occasionally, you will have shared memories through your aunts and uncles, as well as your grandparents. It is always nice to catch up with cousins at family celebrations, and they can often be our greatest allies.

Cousins Darcie and Kaine Donaldson on the crab fair showfieldCousins Darcie and Kaine Donaldson on the crab fair showfield (Image: Newsquest)

People are encouraged to use National Cousins Day as an opportunity to let their cousins know how special they are and how much they appreciate them.

(Image: Newsquest)
‘Cousin’ is a term that typically refers to a first cousin, i.e. a relative whose closest ancestor in the family tree with you is a grandparent.

Cousins Lacey McAvoy and Grace Moffatt joined in with the Public and Commercial Services Union's Keep Workington Working campaign (Image: Newsquest)
However, a lot of families have second and third cousins, and they’re all considered close.
Thanks to a small pool of shared ancestors, it was revealed in 2014 that the worldwide population of Ashkenazi Jews are related.

JJ Branthwaite and his cousin Romany Hudson at the Whitehaven Christmas lights switch on (Image: Newsquest)
The group represents a community from Eastern and Central Europe whose descendants make up the majority of American Jews.

Cousins Erin Sowerby, 11, and Ruby Jackson, seven, from Penrith paint baubles and a robotCousins Erin Sowerby, 11, and Ruby Jackson, seven, from Penrith paint baubles and a robot (Image: Newsquest)
It is possible to have a double cousin - if two sisters marry two brothers, then their children will be double first cousins.

Cousins Charlotte, left, and Lucy Bloomfield at a craft session at The BeaconCousins Charlotte, left, and Lucy Bloomfield at a craft session at The Beacon (Image: Newsquest)

Famous cousins include Nicholas Cage, Jason Schwartzman, and Sofia Coppola, along with the late Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth, who were distantly related.

Eli and cousin Joel North at Kendal CallingEli and cousin Joel North at Kendal Calling (Image: Newsquest)
Our pictures show Cumbrian cousins enjoying quality time together at events including an autumn festival, Egremont Crab Fair, The Cumberland Show and children’s craft sessions.
One pair even joined in with the Public and Commercial Services Union’s Keep Workington Working campaign, while another got muddy together at Kendal Calling.