It is always hard to say goodbye to things you have enjoyed. That is what I am doing today with this final installment of The Psychogenealogist Pic of the Week series!

Three years ago, and for 156 weeks straight since then, I have chosen one photo or postcard to feature on The Psychogenealogist Blog. It started as a personal challenge to myself. I wanted to keep fresh, interesting content related to genealogy, psychology, and family history coming your way all year long.

Mission accomplished!

All but a few of the images (see the first ones from 2016) over the course of those three years have been from my personal collection. Most came from ebay, flea markets, estate sales, and antique shops. Some also came from my personal family collection.

Some I have researched thoroughly to find “The Story”. Some YOU have generously researched and shared your results. With some I’ve gotten the story wrong. With others it has been fun to imagine with you what the story might be. Finally, some have been shared without much comment or research, simply for visual delight and to stir the imagination.

So, and for no particular reason, I have chosen this photo to share as the last Pic of the Week (#156) photo with you. Just some women in hula skirts and leis, and some men in shirt and ties likely playing slack key guitars. Who are they and what are their stories?

The word that comes to my mind when looking at this photograph is “FUN”. And I guess that captures the spirit of this entire series for me. It has been great fun! To whatever extent you’ve participated in, enjoyed, or shared in that fun I say “thanks for following along!”

Don’t worry! I am not going anywhere. I am just retooling and refocusing The Psychogenelaogist for 2020, and beyond. I return to my mission statement as a guidepost:

Wether my stories, your stories, or the stories of strangers, the focus is always on “The Story”.

So how are we going to refocus in 2020? Three ways:

Find

There is a never ending list of strategies, tips, and tricks to finding valuable information about your family’s history. We will be sharing more of our experience and recommendations. And, as we’ve already been doing, will continue to offer services like:

Tell

Once you have the information, what do you do with it? I am hoping to tell more in depth stories than a once a week Pic of the Week format would allow. One thing we have also done is create Your Storied Life: Unique Biographical Portraits. We are hoping to do more of these in 2020. You can see some of our work here.

Celebrate

This is probably the newest focus for 2020. Maybe you’ve found the story, or even written it. What else do you do with it? We believe in celebrating that story, for the sake of your own family and descendants, but also the rest of us who might benefit from hearing your stories.

One way we have celebrated family stories is through our Photo Colorization and Restoration services first offered in 2019. This all happened quite by accident and I am glad that it did. It has been a very natural and fun collaboration. Here are some examples:

I have a few other ideas I am kicking around too. Some I am not quite ready to share yet. But one in particular I would like your feedback on.

Many of you are part of the robust The Psychogenealogist Facebook Page community. I am thinking about starting a private (free) Facebook group where you can all share more freely as well. Perhaps a “Friends of The Psychogenealogist” Facebook group. I envision it as more intimate setting for those interested in family history to share their own stories and ask for assistance. What do you think?

I haven’t quite worked out all the details yet, but I will be sure to let you know when I do. If that seems like something you might be interested in please feel free to signup for our newsletter below. I will be sure to send an announcement if and when it launches.

So, that is why I am saying goodbye to the Pic of the Week Series. It is going to give me more time and energy to focus on finding, telling, and celebrating family stories. Mine, yours, and families across the globe.

Aloha,

Steve and The Psychogenealogist Team

My grandparents, Betty Grace Sears Hanley (1924-1981) and Michael John Hanley Jr. (1924-2015) on their trip to Hawaii in 1969.