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IF A PERSON IS SERIOUSLY ILL AND NOT EXPECTED TO RECOVER,
GO BUILD A COFFIN AND SET IT IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE. SO
WHEN DEATH COMES TO TAKE AWAY THAT PERSON, HE WILL SEE
THE COFFIN AND THINK THAT ANOTHER DEATH HAS ALREADY
GOTTEN HIM. DEATH WILL GO AND THE PERSON WILL RECOVER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TENNESSEE ; MCKENZIE ; Whitehorn, David

James Callow Keyword(s): Coffin ; DEATH ; Fool ; ILLNESS ; Reaper ; TRICK

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 10-14-1973

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IF YOU DREAM OF A DEATH, WEDDING IN THE FAMILY;
IF YOU DREAM OF A WEDDING, DEATH IN THE FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: Arkansas ; RUSSELLVILLE ; Chesnut, Laurelyn

Keyword(s): DEATH ; Dream ; FAMILY ; Meaning ; Opposite ; SIGN ; SYMBOL ; WEDDING

James Callow Keyword(s): CHIASMUS ; CONTRAST ; ITERATION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Dreams Dreams about weddings, funerals, and other crucial moments of life

Date learned: 10-20-1973

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"GET THOSE FEET UP!"

WHEN RIDING IN A CAR ONE MUST LIFT HIS FEET WHILE GOING
OVER RAILROAD TRACKS OR HE WILL BE KILLED IN SOME SORT
OF TRAIN ACCIDENT THE NEXT DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TROTWOOD

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Car ; DEATH ; FEET ; Railroad Tracks ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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DEATH MEETING

JUST BEFORE A PERSON DIES, HE MEETS HIS OWN GHOST.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Piejak, Ron

Keyword(s): DEATH ; GHOST ; Haunting ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-21-1968

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HAPPY SPIRIT

THE RUSSIANS BELIEVE THAT WHEN SOMEONE HAS DIED, THEIR SPIRIT WILL
COME BACK AND, TO LET THE FAMILY KNOW THEY ARE HAPPY,
THEY WILL RAP TWICE ON THE FAMILY'S DOOR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Ball, Marcia

Keyword(s): DEATH ; Happy ; Russians ; SPIRIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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BELIEF CONCERNING DEATH

UKRANIANS BELIEVE THAT A PERSONS SPIRIT STAYS ON EARTH FOR
NINE DAYS AFTER DEATH. IT THEN TAKES THE SPIRIT FORTY DAYS TO GET TO
HEAVEN. IT IS THOUGHT THAT THIS BELIEF REPRESENTS
THE FORTY DAYS AFTER CHRIST'S DEATH, BEFORE HE AROSE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Michalowski, Roman

Keyword(s): Christ ; DEATH ; NUMBER ; RELIGION ; SYMBOLISM ; UKRAINIAN

Subject headings: 686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40

Date learned: 03-26-1972

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SUPERSTITION

IF YOU BURY A PERSON WITHOUT SHOES, THEY WILL COME BACK AND
HAUNT YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES ; Carroll, Gertrude ; 22427 Red Maple Lane

Keyword(s): Barefoot ; BELIEF ; Bury ; DEATH ; SHOES ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 02-27-1971

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GHOSTS

THE GHOSTS THAT DO THE MOST HARM ARE THOSE OF MURDERED PEOPLE.
THEY WANDER ABOUT UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN AVENGED.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Piejak, Ron

Keyword(s): DEATH ; GHOST ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 03-21-1968

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LA SALAMANDRA

THE PEASANTS FEEL THAT IF A MAN IS EVIL,
THAT SOMETIME WHEN HE IS IN THE
JUNGLE ALONE, HE WILL SEE A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN WEARING A WHITE DRESS
WITH BLACK HAIR AND FIERY EYES.
SHE IS THE REPRESENTATION OF DEATH AND
WHEN THEY MEET IT MEANS THAT HE IS DESTINED TO DIE SOON.

Submitter comment:

MR. MARCHETT WAS TOLD THIS WHILE HE
LIVED AND TRAVELLED IN LATIN AMERICA.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Marchette, Horatio

Keyword(s): DEATH ; OMEN ; SPIRIT ; SPIRIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 02-28-1970

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GHOST PROTECTION

WHEN A WOMAN IS SEPARATED, DIVORCED, OR ESTRANGED FROM HER HUSBAND
AND HE DIES, SHE TAKES A RIBBON OFF OF THE FLOWERS ON THE COFFIN AND
HANGS IT ON HER DOOR TO WARD OFF HER HUSBAND HAUNTING HER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Jowske, Janet

Keyword(s): DEATH ; Funeral ; Haunting ; HUSBAND ; SPIRIT ; Widow

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-00-1970

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BANSHEE

IN IRELAND, WHEN YOU HEAR THE WAIL OF THE BANSHEE,
YOU KNOW THAT SOMEONE IN THE HOUSE WILL SOON DIE.
THIS WAILING PRECEDES THE COMING OF THE COACH OF DEATH
WHICH IS DRAWN BY FOUR BLACK HORSES. THIS COACH CARRIES THE ONE WHO
IS TO DIE TO THE UNDERWORLD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Claus, Maureen

Keyword(s): BANSHEE ; DEATH ; Haunt ; IRELAND ; OMEN ; SIREN ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Underworld

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 00001968 (FALL)

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BIRTH BELIEF ABOUT A GHOST OR SPIRIT

THE MOTHER WHO DIES IN CHILDBIRTH WILL TRY AND COME BACK
FROM THE GRAVE TO NURSE THE BABY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Michelis, Veronica

Keyword(s): BABY ; BIRTH ; Breastfeeding ; CHILDBIRTH ; DEATH ; GHOST ; Haunt ; MOTHER ; Nurse ; Nursing ; SPIRIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- P429,

Date learned: 02-19-1972

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WHEN SOMEONE EVIL DIED THEIR GHOST WOULD BE HAUNTING ALL AROUND,
RUNNING AROUND SCARING PEOPLE, AND CHOKING PEOPLE TO DEATH.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS. SHE SAID IT WAS ONE OF THOSE
WIDE-SPREAD COUNTRY TALES SHE HEARD WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Lenke, Mary

Keyword(s): DEATH ; EVIL ; GHOST ; Haunt ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 02-04-1972

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SPANISH BELIEF ABOUT DECEASED

WHEN A PERSON DIES HIS SPIRIT WALKS THE EARTH FOR NINE DAYS AND
STAYS WITH HIS LOVED ONES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: Orona, Norma

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; Haunt ; Spanish ; SPIRIT

Subject headings: 686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 02-22-1972

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BRUISES

IF YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND YOU ARE ALL COVERED WITH
BRUISES, IT MEANS A DEAD PERSON HAS TOUCHED YOU IN THE NIGHT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; Arnes, Clara

Keyword(s): Bruises ; Dead ; DEATH ; GHOST ; SLEEP ; Sleeping ; Touch

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Body part Senses

Date learned: 03-31-1968

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COACH SHADA

AT ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL IN FERNDALE A
PORTRAIT OF THE LATE COACH JOHN SHADA, WHO PUT THE SCHOOL IN THE
TOP OF ITS DIVISION FOR MANY YEARS, IS ACROSS FROM THE TROPHY
CASE. THE PASTOR TELLS PEOPLE IT IS THERE "SO JOHN CAN
WATCH HIS TROPHIES."

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Schusterbaurr

Keyword(s): Coach ; DEATH ; Legend ; Trophy

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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MOVIE STAR LEGEND

THIS IS A LEGEND ABOUT MOVIE STARS.
WHEN A FAMOUS MOVIE STAR DIES, TWO MORE WILL DIE IN A SHORT
WHILE. A MOVIE STAR DOESN'T DIE ALONE, BUT ALWAYS DIES IN THREE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; Stevens, Stella

Keyword(s): DEATH ; Hollywood ; MOVIE STAR ; THREE ; Triple

Subject headings: 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple
BELIEF -- Secular hero

Date learned: CHILDHOOD

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ELECTROCUTIONS

IT IS A COMMON BELIEF, REINFORCED BY MOVIES AND TELEVISION
SHOWS, THAT THE LIGHTS IN A PENITENTIARY DIM WHEN A CONVICT
IS ELECTROCUTED.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): DEATH ; Death Row ; Dim ; Electricity ; ELECTROCUTION ; JAIL ; Lethal ; Lights ; Penitentiary ; PRISON

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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SPIRIT MEDIUMS

THERE ARE GOOD AND BAD MEDIUMS. A MEDIUM CAN INVADE THE BODY OF A
MAN NOT YET REALLY DEAD AND PULL THE SPIRIT RIGHT OUT, AND THEN THE
MEDIUM CONTROLS IT. I HAVE SEEN CASKETS BROKEN OPEN INEXPLAINABLY.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR ; Rameshchandra, Patel

Keyword(s): Buried Alive ; DEATH ; India ; Medium ; SPIRIT ; Zombie

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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Symbol

THE LILY IS A SIGN OF DEATH.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

Original BN P680; C346 crossed out. Replaced with current classification.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; 1109 NORTH CENTER ; Harrison, Ann

Keyword(s): DEATH ; FLOWER ; Lily ; Portent ; SIGN ; Signifier

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Plant

Date learned: 03-14-1970

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