Collateral Ancestors Law and Legal Definition
Collateral ancestors are ancestors not in the direct line of ascent, but of the same ancestral family such as aunts, uncles, and other collateral relatives of older generations.
The following is an example of a case law referring to collateral ancestors:
The word ancestors by its established import when used in relation to succession to real estate by descent, embraces collaterals. [McCarthy v. Marsh, 5 N.Y. 263 (N.Y. 1851)].
