Confused by this relationship: Can you get it clearly?

The second cousin connection is actually quite simple: the common ancestor is a great grandparent,

I think Elsa's mother and father were first cousins. Not Albert's mother and father.

But Albert's mother was was also first cousins with Elsa's father (and a sister to Elsa's mother).

I had to diagram it. I think that's right. It's a little confusing!

The first common ancestor is Albert and Elsa's grandfather.

First cousins are the children of two siblings. Second cousins are the children of two first cousins. Elsa's mother was the sister of Albert's mother, thus they were first cousins via their mothers. Elsa's father was the nephew of Albert's paternal grandfather. Thus they were second cousins via their fathers. Albert Einstein's parents were not cousins.

Ori, I should have made it clear I wasn't certain. I hope someone with a firm grip on it comes by. It's more than a little confusing to me too, and I'm not sure I'm right.

Okay. Contrex, could you please confirm the assertion "The first common ancestor is Albert and Elsa's grandfather"?

Ok no that's wrong. The common ancestor has to be a great grandparent:

Quote:

The second cousin connection is actually quite simple: the common ancestor is a great grandparent,

- See more at: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/family-history-chart.html#sthash.N6t934lu.dpuf

Albert Einstein's second wife was Elsa Einstein, whose mother Fanny Koch was the sister of Albert's mother, and whose father Rudolf Einstein was the son of Raphael Einstein, a brother of Albert's paternal grandfather. Thus Albert and Elsa were first cousins through their mothers and second cousins through their fathers.[2]