Genealogy presentation at historical society

The Schenectady County Historical Society

For people just starting to look into their own genealogy, one thing becomes abundantly clear: Tracing your mother’s family tree is often a lot more difficult than your father’s.

Guilderland resident Tina Post, an Albany native and a professional genealogist, will share some tricks of the trade to help people overcome some of those obstacles with a presentation called “Who’s the ‘Miss’ Who Became Mrs.?: Finding the Women who Married Your Male Ancestors,” Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Schenectady County Historical Society on Washington Avenue in Schenectady.

Post is a certificate holder of the Boston University CPE Genealogical Research Program and a member of the National Genealogical Society and the Capital District Genealogy Society.

A granddaughter of Polish and Greek immigrants, Post’s interest in her family history started early, and back in 1998 she seriously began digging into her past by interviewing older family members, combining her interest in history with her family story.

“Finding the elusive maiden name of the women who married the men in your family tree can be daunting,” she said. “She’s often just ‘Mrs. Smith.’ But her maiden name can be discerned perhaps with information you have discovered that needs analysis.

“Through the use of three case studies, I will provide clues, in the form of evidence, to first reveal the woman’s first name, then prove her maiden name,” added Post. “Through analysis of evidence, an ‘argument’ will be made for a relationship where no records, including marriage records, have been found. My talk will help other genealogists break down those brick walls.”

Post started her own business, “The Ancestor in Your Life,” back in 2018.

“I believe that whenever I find a lost ancestor, especially a date significant in his or her life, that they are near and happy to be remembered,” she said. “I am interested in the times they lived in, why they migrated, their occupations, beliefs and families.”

Saturday’s presentation is designed to help both novice and intermediate genealogists. The event is free for SCHS members and $5 for non-members. For more information call (518) 374-0263 or visit www.schenectadyhistorical.org.