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THERE IS A MALL HELD AT THE LOCAL CHURCHES IN
WYANDOTTE (MICHIGAN), AT THE TIME OF THE BLESSING
OF THE FLEETS, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE
DROWNED DURING THE PAST YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Year
BELIEF -- Prayer

Date learned: 10-22-1969

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AFTER A FUNERAL, ONE OF THE CLOSE FRIENDS OF THE PERSON
WHO LOST A LOVED ONE GIVES A DINNER AT HIS OR HER
HOUSE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO CAME TO THE FUNERAL,
PERHAPS A LONG WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 10-22-1969

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RIDDLE

WHAT IS BLACK AND WHITE WITH A CHERRY ON TOP AND
TWO NUTS INSIDE?
ANSWER: A POLICE CAR

Data entry tech comment: A POLICE CAR IS NORMALLY BLACK AND WHITE WITH ; A RED LIGHT ON

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: RIDDLE -- Riddle Question

Date learned: 11-12-1968

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SUPERSTITION

IF YOU LEAVE HOME AND DISCOVER THAT YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING,
YOU MUST SIT STILL A MOMENT BEFORE RETURNING FOR IT, OR YOU WILL
HAVE BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: THIS OLD SUPERSTITION WAS TOLD TO ME BY MY AUNT WHEN SHE VISITED
HERE FROM JAMESTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, IN OCTOBER OF 1963.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; TRAVEL: RETURNING HOME FOR FORGOTTEN OBJECT

James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal
BELIEF -- Conversions P883.2

Date learned: 10-00-1963

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UNSAID MASSES

NOTE: THERE IS A BELIEF THAT A PRIEST WHO DIES WITHOUT HAVING SAID
ALL THE MASSES HE HAS PROMISED TO HAVE SAID CANNOT ENTER HEAVEN UNTIL
THIS HAS BEEN DONE. MANY STORIES HAVE ARISEN CONCERNING SUCH
OCCASIONS. ONE WAS TOLD BY SISTER MARY VINCENT I.H.M.
SEVERAL YEARS AGO AN OLD MONK DIED WITHOUT HAVING CELEBRATED ONE
OF HIS PROMISED MASSES. HE HAD ALSO NEGLECTED TO RECORD
THIS MASS AS UNSAID, SO HIS SUCCESSOR DID NOT REALIZE
THE FACT. EACH AFTERNOON, AS THE NEW PRIEST ENTERED THE CHURCH
TO SAY HIS OFFICE, HE WOULD HEAR A VOICE ASK, "WON'T
SOMEONE SAY A MASS FOR ME?" THE NEW PRIEST FINALLY REALIZED THAT
THIS WAS THE VOICE OF THE DEAD MONK, AND HE CELEBRATED A
MASS FOR HIS INTENTION. HE NEVER HEARD THE VOICE AGAIN.

Submitter comment: THIS STORY WAS TOLD AT ST. PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL TO A CLASS OF
SENIORS WHICH INCLUDED MY SISTER ANNS (ANN? ANNE? ANNA?).

Data entry tech comment: THERE ARE TWO MORE STORIES ALIKE RECORDED ON THE 5X8 CARDS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 00-00-1963

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EXORCISM

NOTE: EXORCISM, A COMPLICATED RITE OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH INVOLVING
THE CASTING OUT OF DEVILS FROM POSSESSED PERSONS PROVIDES A NATURAL
BIRTHPLACE FOR MANY STRANGE STORIES, ONE WAS TOLD BY MRS. JAMES KEHOE
A GREAT GREAT AUNT OF MINE FROM CLINTON MICHIGAN, I HEARD IT FROM
MOTHER, MRS JAMES KEHOE WAS ONCE PRESENT AT AN EXORCISM IN CLINTON,.
AT THE POINT IN THE GRAVE CEREMONY WHEN THE DEVIL WAS FINALLY CAST
OUT A SMALL CREATURE RESEMBLING A WOODCHUCK WAS SEEN BY THOSE PRESENT
TO RUN ACROSS THE ROOM AND OUT THE DOOR. ALL AGREED THAT IT HAD NOT
BEEN IN THE ROOM BEFORE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Favorites
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Devil Demon
PROSE NARRATIVE -- Mammal

Date learned: 10-00-1963

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CHARLIE SACHS OF WYANDOTTE BECAME A LEGENDARY CHARACTER IN THE
1920'S AND 1930'S. HE HAD BRIGHT YELLOW HAIR WHICH FELL BELOW HIS
EARS IN A BUSTER BROWN STYLE HAIRCUT. IT WAS KNOWN AS "SODY ASH"
HAIR AFTER THE COLOR OF SODA ASH MANUFACTURED BY THE WYANDOTTE
CHEMICALS COMPANY. CHARLIE GAINED HIS FAME BY WALKING AROUND
DOWNTOWN DETROIT IN FLAMBOYANT OUTFITS OF THE GAY NINETIES.
HE WOULD STROLL EACH DAY IN HIGH_BUTTON SHOES, CHECKED PANTS,
A BRIGHT VEST, A STRIPED BLAZER, AND A STRAW HAT ATTACHED BY
A RIBBON TO HIS LAPEL. WHEN SHIPS WERE DUE IN CHARLIE WOULD WANDER
AROUND THE
WATERFRONT IN AN 1890'S ADMIRAL'S UNIFORM. THE STRANGE OLD MAN
WOULD TALK TO NO ONE, AND HE DIED WITHOUT EVER REVEALING WHERE HE
GOT HIS MONEY OR HIS FANTASTIC COSTUMES.

Submitter comment: LEGEND ABOUT A MENTAL DEFECTIVE

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Keyword(s): CLOTHES

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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IF YOU FIND A PENNY AND PICK IT UP
ALL DAY LONG YOU'LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief Belief

Date learned: 10-20-1969

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RHYME

IN FOURTEEN-NINETY-TWO
COLUMBUS SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.433

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IF YOU HEAR A DOG HOWLING AT NIGHT, IT MEANS A DEATH
WILL SOON OCCUR IN YOUR FAMILY.

Submitter comment: MY MOTHER WAS THE INFORMANT FOR THIS SUPERSTITION.
SHE BELIEVES IT MAY BE SCOTTISH, BUT DOES NOT RECALL
WHERE SHE FIRST HEARD IT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 01-00-1964

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HIGH SCHOOL CUSTOM

ALTHOUGH NOT SERIOUSLY BELIEVED, IT WAS HELD AT ST.
PATRICK'S HIGH SCHOOL IN WYANDOTTE (MICHIGAN)
AND MANY OTHER SCHOOLS AROUND THE COUNTRY, THAT
A STUDENT WHO WORE GREEN AND YELLOW IN COMBINATION
WAS HOMOSEXUAL. IF HE WORE THIS ON A THURSDAY, IT
WAS TWICE AS BAD; FOR THURSDAYS WERE UNOFFICIALLY
LABELLED "QUEER'S DAY."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: BELIEF -- School
BELIEF -- Measure of time WeekDayHour

Date learned: 00-00-1958

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SCHOOL FAD

BLUE SILK JACKETS ARE VERY POPULAR IN THE PUBLIC
SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY JR. HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOLS OF
WYANDOTE. BOYS AND GIRLS ALIKE WEAR THEM, ALMOST AS
A UNIFORM.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 10-23-1969

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HIGH SCHOOL TABOOS

THE "CIRCLE PIN" IS A SMALL GOLD PIN IN THE SHAPE OF
A CIRCLE, WITH THE CENTER HOLLOW. IT IS SUPPOSED
TO MEAN, IF WORN, THAT THE GIRL WHO WEARS IT IS A
VIRGIN. IF THE PIN HAS ANY IDENTATIONS IN IT, THEN
THE WEARER IS NOT A VIRGIN. THEREFORE, CIRCLE PINS
WITH NITCHES OR INDENTATIONS IN THEM ARE NOT WORN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- School

Date learned: 10-03-1969

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JOKE TOLD AS TRUE

A MAN COULDN'T FIND A CLEAN JUG, SO HE TOOK HIS WIFE'S
BEST VASE DOWN TO THE WINE CELLAR. AS HE HIT THE SECOND
STAIR, HE SLIPPED AND TUMBLED ALL THE REST OF THE WAY
DOWN. HIS WIFE HEARD ALL THIS COMMOTION AND CAME TO THE
HEAD OF THE STAIRS. APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT HER
HUSBAND, SHE SHOUTED, "DID YOU BREAK MY VASE?"
INFURIATED, THE HUSBAND REPLIED, "NO, BUT BY GOD, I WILL."

Submitter comment: THIS JOKE APPEARS ON P. 225 OF AMERICAN FOLK TALES AND SONGS
BY RICHARD CHASE. THE AUTHOR REPORTS THAT HE HEARD IT
"FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO READ IT IN A BOOK OF RHYMES."
MY MOTHER, HOWEVER, INSISTS THAT THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED
IN THE 1880S TO CHARLES ESTERBROOK OF THE ESTERBROOK
PEN COMPANY FAMILY. MRS. ESTERBROOK WAS THE AUNT OF MY
MOTHER'S FIRST COUSIN, BEN ELLIS, OF PADUCAH, KENTUCKY.
THE INCIDENT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN PLACE AT THE
ESTERBROOK HOME IN MILAN, MICHIGAN, ON A DAY WHEN MRS.
ESTERBROOK WAS ENTERTAINING THE METHODIST LADIES' SEWING
CIRCLE. MY MOTHER ADDS THAT THE ITEM WAS LATER PRINTED
IN THE DETROIT JOURNAL BY IRVING S. COBB, A COLUMNIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple

Date learned: 10-00-1963

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JOKE TOLD AS TRUE

MY FATHER WAS SENT TO REPRESENT OUR FAMILY AT THE WAKE
FOR SIMON "SHINNY" CURRAN WHEN HE DIED IN 1932.
THREE OF SHINNY'S FRIENDS--ANGELO AND NICK PATRICK AND
MORRIS RILEY--BROUGHT SOME OF THEIR HOME BREW AND
OFFERED IT TO THE CORPSE. WHEN, OF COURSE, THE BODY
DID NOT RESPOND, THEY SAID, "SHINNY MUST REALLY BE
DEAD, IF HE WON'T TAKE OUR LIQUOR!"

Submitter comment: I HAVE HEARD THIS STORY AS A JOKE. MY AUNT, THE
INFORMANT, TOLD IT AS ACTUALLY HAVING HAPPENED IN HER
HOME TOWN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Stupid man or woman

Date learned: 10-00-1963

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JOKE TOLD AS TRUE

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AT ST.
MICHAELS'S PARISH IN GREENVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, MRS. MOROVEY
ASKED EACH OF HER PUPILS TO GIVE HIS NAME. ONE BOY
ANNOUNCED THAT HIS NAME WAS D. JONES.
"AND WHAT DOES THE D STAND FOR?"
"IT STANDS FOR DAMMIT."
AFTER MRS. MOROVEY HAD RECOVERED FROM THE SHOCK OF THE
BOY'S NAME, SHE RESUMED HER CLASS. LATER THAT DAY,
FATHER KEATING, THE PASTOR, VISITED THE CLASSROOM.
ANXIOUS TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION, MRS. MOROVEY CALLED
ON SEVERAL OF HER BRIGHTEST PUPILS TO RECITE. FINALLY,
SHE CALLED ON THE JONES BOY, WHO STAMMERED FOR A FEW
SECONDS AND THEN GAVE THE WRONG ANSWER. "NOW,
DAMMIT, THAT'S SIMPLE. DON'T YOU KNOW THE ANSWER?"
"HELL, MRS. MOROVEY," GROWLED FATHER KEATING, "GIVE
HIM A CHANCE."

Submitter comment: THIS STORY EXISTS IN THE FORM OF A JOKE, HOWEVER, MY
AUNT CLAIMS THAT IT ACTUALLY OCCURRED IN HER PARISH.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: PROSE NARRATIVE -- Jest Anecdote

Date learned: 10-00-1963

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RHYME

KAREN ANNIE, SAT ON HER FANNY,
ATE A BANNANIE,
AND PLAYED THE PIANIE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS A LITTLE REMARK THAT MY FATHER ALWAYS SAID TO MY SISTER
WHEN SHE WAS YOUNG.

Data entry tech comment: BY PROFESSOR CALLOW
WHEN ASKED IF INFORMANT'S SISTER'S MIDDLE NAME WAS ANNIE,
COLLECTOR SAID YES

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

James Callow Keyword(s): SLANG FOR BANANA, PIANI, BUTTOCKS

Subject headings: Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech C870.582

Date learned: 10-21-1969

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PREDICTION DIVINATION

IF YOU WHISTLE THROUGH A KEY HOLE, A DEVIL WILL COME.
IF YOU PEEK THROUGH A KEY HOLE, YOU WILL SEE A DEVIL.
IN ORDER TO WARD OFF NIGHTMARES, LEAVE A KEY IN THE KEYHOLE.

Submitter comment: THIS WAS COLLECTED 04121967 FROM MY SISTER. SHE HEARD IT
FROM HER CLASSMATES; SHE IS IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Devil Demon

Date learned: 04-12-1967

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I SEE SAID THE BLIND MAN, AS HE PICKED UP THE HAMMER AND SAW

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

James Callow Keyword(s): PUN

Subject headings: PROVERB -- Wellerism Quotation

Date learned: 01-00-1979

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BAD LUCK

DON'T BUY BROOMS IN AUGUST. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment: I THINK THAT THIS IS A VERY CRAZY BELIEF.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- August
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1978

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