Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F546 returned 563 results.
A BLACK BOW
A BLACK RIBBON PLACED ON A DOOR OF A HOUSE, MEANS
A RECENT DEATH HAS COME TO THAT FAMILY. MM
AFTER A HUSBAND DIES, THE WIFE SHOULD WAIT ONE FULL
BEFORE BEING REMARRIED.
Where learned: GROSSE POINTE ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-26-1972
WHENEVER A DEATH OCCURS IN A FAMILY, A BLACK BOW
IS PUT OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THIS WAS A CUSTOM USED IN BELGIUM
TO SIGNIFY A DEATH IN THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-20-1972
FUNERAL CUSTOM
AFTER AN IRISH FUNERAL, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO HAVE A BIG
CELEBRATION WITH FOOD AND LOTS OF DANCING.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-11-1972
IN SOME FAMILIES, WHEN CHILDREN ARE BORN, THE MOTHER
BUYS A BRACELET OR A RING (VERY SMALL) AND AT HER
DEATH THEY BURY THE BRACELETS AND RINGS WITH HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1972
MOST OF THE BURIAL RITES ARE THE SAME AS HERE IN
AMERICA. IF THE MAN WAS A DUKE OR RULER OF LITHUANIA,
THEN IT WAS TOLD THAT HE IS/WAS TO BE BURIED TOGETHER
WITH ALL OF HIS HUNTING DOGS, HIS FAVORITE HORSE/ES,
WEAPONS, CLOTHES AND JEWELRY. THE WIFE WASN'T REQUIRED
TO BE BURNED WITH HER HUSBAND, BUT SEVERAL DUKES'
WIVES THREW THEMSELVES VOLUNTARILY INTO THE FLAMES.
SEVERAL CENTURIES LATER, THEY BELIEVED IN BURIAL
GROUNDS AND COFFINS, BUT AFTER THE FUNERAL FOLLOWED
A BANQUET WITH FOOD, DRINKS, DANCING AND SINGING.
IT IS/WAS TOLD THAT IF THE PEOPLE DON'T MOURN TOO
MUCH, THEN GOD WILL ACCEPT HIM INTO HEAVEN, BECAUSE
HE ISN'T PUSHED INTO ACCEPTING THAT PERSON.
Where learned: SOUTHFIELD ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-25-1972
WHEN A VOLUNTEER FIREMAN DIES IN FRANKLINVILLE, NEW
YORK, A BLACK BANNER IS DRAPED ACROSS THE FRONT
WHEN A PERSON DIES IN THE VILLAGE OF FRANKLINVILLE,
FRIENDS AND RELATIVES DONATE BOOKS TO THE TOWN
OF THE FIRE HALL.
Where learned: NEW YORK, ASSUMED ; FRANKLINVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
WAR-DEATH CUSTOM
WHEN A RESIDENT OF FRANKLINVILLE, NEW YORK DIES, IN
THE SERVICE OR IS KILLED IN ACTION, HIS NAME IS
ENGRAVED ON A MEMORIAL PLAQUE IN TEN BROECK
ACADEMY, FRANKLINVILLE, NEW YORK.
Where learned: NEW YORK ; FRANKLINVILLE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- War |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MOURNING PERIOD
THERE IS A SEVERE 40 DAY MOURNING PERIOD FOR THE
FAMILY OF THE DECEASED. THEY DO NOT LEAVE THE
HOME EXCEPT FOR NECESSITIES (FOOD, ETC.). THEY DO
NOT ENGAGE IN ANY ENTERTAINING ACTIVITIES (PARTIES,
WATCHING T. V.) (UNTIL) AFTER THE MOURNING PERIOD IS
OVER, THEN A DINNER IS GIVEN FOR THE FAMILY OF THE
DECEASED.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID THIS IS A CUSTOM STILL OBSERVED BY MANY
ARMENIANS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-18-1972
MOURNING PERIOD
WHENEVER SOMEONE DIES, IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR THEIR MATE
(HUSBAND OR WIFE) TO WEAR SOMETHING BLACK FOR ONE FULL
YEAR.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT SAID MANY ARMENIANS STILL HOLD TO THIS CUSTOM.
INFORMANT ACTUALLY OBSERVED THIS CUSTOM AFTER THE DEATH
OF HER HUSBAND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-18-1972
DEATH CUSTOM
AFTER A JEWISH FUNERAL THEY HAVE A "SHIVA" WHERE
THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY SIT ON LOW, BACKLESS,
STOOLS, SHOELESS, AND FRIENDS COME IN TO OFFER THEIR
CONDOLENCES AND VISIT FOR A WHILE WITH THE
BEREAVED FAMILY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
DEATH CUSTOM
THE JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE A CUSTOM, AT AN OCCURRENCE OF
A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, COVER UP ALL MIRRORS IN THEIR
HOME, SO AS NOT TO SEE THEIR REFLECTION AT MOURNING.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
FUNERAL CUSTOM
PUT A FEW SPRINKLES OF THE PERSON'S NATIVE SOIL ON
HIS CASKET BEFORE HE IS BEING BURIED. THIS WILL
SIGNIFY THAT HE WILL ACTUALLY RETURN TO HIS
"NATIVE HOME."
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT ACTUALLY SAW THIS CUSTOM PERFORMED A
NUMBER OF TIMES. EX: 4/6/59; 8/28/70. IN EACH
INSTANCE A WOMAN PUT POLISH SOIL ONTO THE CASKET
AND SAID A POLISH PRAYER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-09-1972
NEW HANDKERCHIEF
ONE OF THE REMAINING MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY, PLACED A
NEW HANDKERCHIEF OVER THE FACE OF THE DECEASED.
THIS IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE HAIR (ON THE HEAD)
FROM GROWING OVER THE FACE AFTER DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DID NOT PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM, BUT SAW
RELATIVES DO IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 04-02-1972
JEWS CANNOT COME INTO A HOUSE WITHOUT WASHING
THEIR HANDS AFTER HAVING BEEN TO A CEMETERY.
THEY PUT A PITCHER AND WATER AT THE DOOR FOR
THAT PURPOSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-00-1972
ITALIAN FUNERAL CUSTOM
IT IS CUSTOMARY FOR ITALIANS TO SEND A WREATH
OF FLOWERS WITH A CLOCK INSIDE THE WREATH. THE
CLOCK IS STOPPED AT THE TIME THE PERSON DIED.
THIS WAS DONE AT MISS TRUPIANO'S UNCLE'S FUNERAL.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 03-10-1972
AFTER PRAYERS ARE SAID AT THE CEMETERY, PENNIES ARE
TOSSED ON THE CASKET TO INSURE GOOD FORTUNE IN THE
DECEASED'S "NEW LIFE."
AS A SMALL CHILD I CAN REMEMBER SOME PEOPLE TOSSING
PENNIES ON THE CASKET AS THEY WERE LEVING THE
CEMETERY. AT TIMES, THE DECEASED'S FAMILY WOULD
HAND OUT PENNIES TO THE MOURNERS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-20-1971
NEVER TAKE FLOWERS FROM THE FUNERAL BASKETS LEFT AROUND
THE GRAVE, OR THE DEAD PERSON WILL HAUNT YOU.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS WHEN YOUNG FROM HER MOTHER
(1920S) WHO ACTUALLY BELIEVED IT. INFORMANT DOES
NOT BELIEVE IT.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
BEFORE THE BASKET IS CLOSED TO TRANSPORT THE CORPSE
TO CHURCH, MEMBERS OF THE DECEASED'S FAMILY AND
FRIENDS KISS THE CORPSE AS A FINAL SIGN OF AFFECTION.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS SEEN THIS DONE AND HAS PARTICIPATED
IN IT AT FUNERALS (ANCESTRY BACKGROUND-HUNGARIAN,
CROATION, SLAVIC) IN THE 1960S AND 70S.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
THE CASKET IS NEVER LOWERED INTO THE GRAVE WHILE THE
MOURNERS ARE PRESENT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HAS OBSERVED THIS PRACTICE AT FUNERALS SINCE
THE 1950S. UPON INQUIRING, INFORMANT WAS TOLD BY
FAMILY THAT THE CASKET WAS LOWERED AFTER EVERYONE IN
MOURNING PARTY HAS LEFT THE CEMETERY. THIS PRACTICE
IS SUPPOSED TO SPARE THE MOURNERS THE "TERRIBLE"
THOUGHT OF THEIR LOVED ONE BEING PLACED UNDERGROUND.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; PITTSBURGH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-02-1971
THE SUNTANNED CORPSE
INFORMANT TOLD ME THAT SHE ONCE HAD AS A GUEST IN HER
HOME ONE OF THE MEN WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BURYING
THE DECEASED AT WHITE CHAPEL CEMETERY (TROY, MICH.)
ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE INTERRED AT THE MAUSOLEUM WAS
RECENTLY MOVED TO HOLY SEPULCHRE CEMETERY (SOUTHFIELD,
MICH.) WHEN THE INFORMANT'S FRIEND OPENED
THE VAULT, HE SAID THAT THE CORPSE WAS REPOSING
JUST AS PEACEFULLY AND UNDISTURBED AS IF HE WAS
SLEEPING. BUT THE STRANGEST THING WAS THAT THE
CORPSE HAD A SUNTAN, "JUST AS IF HE WAS OUT PLAYING
GOLF ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON." THIS WAS THE FIRST
TIME IN 25 OR 30 YEARS THAT THE MAN HAD BEEN
TOUCHED SINCE HE HAD DIED!
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-29-1971