It was 6 degrees when I woke up this morning here near Detroit, MI. The bitter cold got me thinking about the winters of yesteryear and how my ancestors managed such conditions.

The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week #1 is of a warmly dressed dapper man circa 1915 in Meeker, Colorado.

Notes from the Douglas County History Research Center state the following about the photo:

A young man in a long winter coat with a hat and gloves stands on a bridge similar to the one in Meeker, Colorado, with mountains in the background.

Michigan winters can be brutal. I imagine the winters of Meeker, Colorado, where this picture is said to be taken, can be even more intense. 

Is this man's smile one of contentment or is he just clenching his cheeks to stay warm?

As you think about your own family's history ask yourself some of these questions:

• What was winter like for my great-great grandparents?
• When was the first time my immigrant ancestors from warmer climates saw snow? What was their reaction?
• Did people in my family experience the "winter blues" or what me might call Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) today? How did they manage it?
• Were there any winter tragedies (deaths, house fires, blizzards, starvation) that impacted my family's psychology for generations?

Do you have a favorite winter picture you would like me consider sharing for a future blog post? Please send it to info@psychogenealogist.com.

I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. And, as always, if you like what The Psychogenealogist has to offer please consider sharing with your friends or joining for free below.