Hi Jerry,

 I hope i can answer your question. If you mean, what does the "16th Cousin, xxxx- removed" mean. It depends on how many "removes" there are. For example, if you are Lady Diana Spencer's "16th Cousin, twice-removed", that would imply that your ancestor, some 18 generations back from you, was her 1st cousin (that your ancestor and hers were children of siblings (brothers/sisters), and that You are two generations down from the person in your line who is the Exact 16th cousin (ie-your grandparent, who is 2 generations before you). 

 Another example....if your Grandpa's Dad was a 3rd cousin to someone, then you. being 3 generations down from your great-grandparent, would then be a "3rd Cousin, Thrice (3 times) removed", as you are 3 generations Down FROM the exact 3rd Cousin relationship of your great-grandparent to that of that person they are 3rd cousin with.

Going from the exact (Even) cousinly relationship, of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th......etc....16th...through 32nd cousin and soforth of someone To someone, if You are NOT the person in the Even relationship, but are a generation (or two, or three, or ten, etc.) DOWN From THAT EXACT Cousinly relationship, then THAT is the number of "removes" you are From the exact relationship of theirs.

So if you are, say, 4 generations Down From an exact 1st or 4th or 10th,etc. cousinly relationship those two folks have, then you are a "1st, 4th, 10th, whatever Cousin, 4 TIMES REMOVED". If you are only 2 generations down from the persons sharing an exact 2nd, 5th, 13th, whatever cousinl relation, then you are a "2nd, 5th, 13th, whatever Cousin, TWICE REMOVED.

 Now question for you. Is your last name (or that of your mom's, or your father's mom's) SPENCER? Is there Spencer history that of down from the 4brothers who came from England to America, circa 1630 to Mass? Or is your line down from some other connection? Just curious. Mine is down from the 4bros.

You can write me direct if you wish, at ViennaSpencer@yahoo.com

 Hope this helps you!

 Take Care,

Vienna (Spencer)