Every Friday The Psychogenealogist shares a "Pic of the Week." The intent is to encourage thought and imagination about the spaces where psychology, genealogy, and history converge.

There is not much to analyze with this one. Just your typical 1920s or 30s photography of a toddler next to a squirrel munching on some bread. Written on the back is: "Marian and a squirrel".

The next photo appears to be in front of the same house likely with the same squirrel. I don't see Marian however. It seems likely that that is her mother and some siblings. 

My best guess is that this photos was taken around 1930. The type of paper these were printed on reminds me of personal family photos I have taken around that time. The styling of the clothes also reminds me of similar photos of my grandfather who was born in 1924.

The boy on the far left of the 2nd photo also grabbed my attention. His beanie type hat is similar to those popular with boys in the 1930s. You know, the type worn by the character Spanky McFarland from the original "Our Gang" American comedy movies that ran in the 1920s-1940s.

Here is what appears to be an actual beanie hat worn by Spanky. And, hold on to your hats, but this particular one was sold at auction for $4750 in 2007!!! You can read the story here.

Though many years after they came out, I remember my father borrowing old 8 mm "Our Gang" films from the library. We would invite our friends over, hang a sheet up on a tree in the backyard, and play the movies with film projector. Those were some fun summer nights.

The psychologist, genealogist, and historian in me has some questions:

• Who was Marian and what is her story?
• What role do animals, pets or otherwise, play in our family trees?
• What movies do you remember watching as a kid? What did you watch them on?
• Whatever happened to Marian and her family?

I would love to hear your thoughts about this post or any others!

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