Connor family conundrum on Coronation Street

I've been a little confused over the Connor family relationships since Jonny and Kate arrived. On twitter this morning I confessed my confusion and other fans replied to tell me they felt the same.  We had a bit of a debate as to who was related to who, how and why, and I think we all got it wrong. 

ITV then confirmed to us here at the Coronation Street Blog that the Connor family relationship is as follows:

Barry Connor and Jonny Connor (cousins)

Barry Connor (Michelle's dad) and Jonny Connor (Aidan's dad) are first cousins who share the same grandparents. 

Barry moved from Ireland to Manchester so his kids - Michelle, Paul, Liam - grew up on the same estate as Jonny's kids - Aidan and Kate - did.  As the kids grew up together on the same estate they felt like proper cousins rather than distant ones.

Liam Connor, Ryan Connor, Michelle Connor, Paul Connor

Now then, according to genealogy, the children of first cousins are, to each other, second cousins. Their children are third cousins, etc.

This makes Michelle Connor (and her brothers Paul and Liam while they were alive) second cousins to Jonny Connor.  Likewise, it makes Aidan and Kate Connor second cousins to Barry Connor.  With me so far?

Therefore, this means that Michelle is third cousins with Aidan and Kate Connor. But because they are a close Irish family they just call themselves cousins. 

I'm glad that's sorted!

Liam Connor, Paul Connor, Carla Connor

So how does Carla fit into all of this?  Well, Carla Donovan lived on the same Manchester estate that the two Connor families lived on so she knew Michelle and her two brothers Paul and Liam. She also knew Aidan and Kate. Then, Carla Donovan went on to marry Michelle's brother Paul Connor, taking the Connor family name. Paul died in a car crash and Carla went on to a have a fling with Paul's brother, Liam. Carla is sister-in-law to Michelle and Barry Connor's daughter-in-law, but only vaguely related to Kate, Aidan and Jonny via her marriage to Paul. 

There is another member of the Connor clan - Tom Kerrigan. He is Michelle (and Paul/Liam's) cousin.

And as for Maria Connor, well she was wed to Liam Connor before he died. So, Maria is Michelle's sister-in-law and Barry Connor's daughter-in-law. As Liam is dead and Carla's husband Paul is dead, does this mean there is any family connection between Carla and Maria?  If anyone knows the right terminology for this family connection do please leave a comment and let us know.

And as for Michelle's fake son Ryan... don't even get me started on trying to unravel that one!

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