Is there a simplified way to understand the number of degrees we are from well known people?

Question

​I often see that my family members may be a certain number of degrees from a well-known person, yet I don't understand how it all works. It seems complicated. Any way to understand what it all means? Thanks.

Comments

The "alternative view: generational path" gives a much clearer picture.

However, it's very dependent on which lines happen to have been put on WikiTree.

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The "Connection Finder" is for fun, there is no Genealogical value to it.

The"Relationship Finder" will find (if they exist) actual Genealogical relationships, cousins, etc.

Answer 1

Among the steps/degrees that the Connection Finder considers are spouses.

Therefore, the number of degrees is not a genealogical cousin calculator. The Connection Finder will work for any two people on WikiTree, but it will only find the connection if they're within 10 degrees of each other. example: me> 1 - my spouse> 2 - his sister> 3 - her mother-in-law would make me 3 degrees from her mother-in-law even though we are not ancestors.

To search for common ancestors between two or more people and name their relationship, see WikiTree's Relationship Finder.