Daily AncestorKinsman
Kinsman means a male relative of any kind; in old records it gives no exact relationship, only that the person was family.
Kinsman and kinswoman mean relative, without saying how. The word can cover nephews, cousins, in-laws or anyone whose exact connection the writer did not spell out.
Treat it as a pointer: the person was family, and other records are needed to say how.
As seen in a recordWill recorded in a county will book, 1800s
I appoint my trusty kinsman Robert Allen executor of this my will.
Sources
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Kinsman." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/relationships/kinsman. Last checked 2026-10-01.