Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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BIRTH PREDICTION
THIS ENTRY WAS MADE JAN. 17, 1967 FROM MRS. SWEROCK WHO,
UPON VISITING HER EXPECTANT NIECE, PREDICTED THE SEX
OF THE UNBORN CHILD. SHE LEARNED THIS METHOD OF
DETERMINING THE SEX FROM HER MOTHER, A NATIVE
OF CZECHOSLOVAKIA.
IF THE WOMAN IS POINTED IN THE FRONT, SHE WILL HAVE
A BOY; IF SHE IS BROAD AND WIDE FROM BEHIND, THEN
SHE'LL HAVE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
WHEN A PREGNANT WOMAN BAKES BREAD AND THE DOUGH RISES
QUICKLY, SHE WILL HAVE A SON.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD TO INFORMANT, MY NEIGHBOR, BY HER AUNT WHO
WAS RAISED IN THE MONTREAL (CANADA) AREA. MM MY MOTHER'S
MOTHER WHO WAS IRISH, TOLD ME ABOUT THIS. WHEN YOU WERE
EXPECTING A CHILD, THE GARMENT YOU WERE SEWING ON WHEN
THE BABY WAS TO BE BORN WOULD PREDICT THE SEX. I DON'T
REMEMBER IT ALL, BUT SOMETHING LIKE, WOOK, A BOY; COTTON,
SILK, A GIRL.
TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
IF YOU WEAR YOUR RUBBERS IN SCHOOL, YOU WILL LOSE YOUR
EYESIGHT.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS BELIEF AS A CHILD.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
IF THE HEM OF YOUR SKIRT IS TURNED UP, YOU WILL HAVE
BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: MRS. D. LEARNED THIS AS A CHILD FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1963
LINE OF NAVAL PRISONERS
HERE IS ANOTHER NAVAL TRADITION I LEARNED WHEN I WAS
IN THE SERVICE. IF THERE'S A LINE OF PRISONERS
THAT ARE GOING TO BE SENT TO THE BRIG, AND
SOMEONE BREAKS THROUGH THE LINE, EVEN IF IT IS AN
ACCIDENT, HE WILL GET THE LONGEST TERM OF ANY OF THE
MEN IN THE LINE.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN THE U.S. NAVY.
Where learned: NAVY
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 05-19-1965
SEA
MRS. JESSICA BUCKLEY'S HUSBAND WAS AN IRISH SEA CAPTAIN. HE WAS
OUT TO SEA AND NOT EXPECTED BACK FOR QUITE A WHILE. ONE NIGHT MRS.
BUCKLEY HEARD A STRANGE KNOCK AT THE DOOR. WHEN SHE OPENED THE
DOOR SHE SAW A MAN DIVE INTO A PUDDLE, IT HAD BEEN RAINING OUT.
THE NEXT MORNING SHE FOUND A PAIR OF SEA BOOTS AT THE DOOR FULL OF
SEA WEED AND WATER. LATER SHE FOUND OUT THAT HER HUSBAND HAD DIED
AT SEA.
Submitter comment:
MR BOZICH HEARD THIS TALE FROM HIS WIFE'S GRANDMOTHER, MRS
JESSICA BUCKLEY. MRS. BUCKLEY AND SEVERAL OF HER CLOSE FRIENDS
SWEAR THAT IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. MRS. BUCKLEY IS STILL ALIVE AND
LIVES IN WHITTIER, CALIFORNIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 12-00-1963
SUPERSTITION
TO PREDICT VISITORS: IF A SPOON DROPS, A BABY WILL COME TO VISIT;
IF A FORK DROPS, THE VISITOR WILL BE A WOMAN; IF A KNIFE DROPS, THE
VISITOR WILL BE A MAN. WHICHEVER WAY THE UTENSIL DROPS WILL BE THE
DIRECTION FROM WHICH THE VISITOR WILL COME.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1981
BAD LUCK OMEN
IF YOU DROP A KNIFE, TOU WILL HAVE MALE COMPANY. IF YOU DROP A SPOON
YOU WILL HAVE FEMALE COMPANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 00-00-1947
BAD LUCK OMEN
IF YOU SPILL SALT, THERE WILL BE A FIGHT BETWEEN YOU AND ANOTHER
PERSON. IF YOU SPILL PEPPER, MONEY WILL COME TO YOU THAT DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of quality Monetary systemMoneyWealth |
Date learned: 00-00-1946
PREDICTION
DOWN SOUTH, OLD FOLKS FEEL A BABY,S HEAD TO SEE HOW SMART HE,S
GONNA BE. IF HE,S GOT A ROUND HEAD HE,LL BE REAL SMART.
Where learned: NATIONAL BANK OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation |
Date learned: 09-00-1981
BAD LUCK
BEING AWAKENED BY THE HOOTS OF AN OWL IS A BAD LUCK OMEN.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
WEATHER BELIEF
IF A RAINBOW APPEARS AT THE BEGINNING OF A STORM, THE RAINBOW
SIGNIFIES THAT AN IMPORTANT PERSON OR LARGE ANIMAL IS BEING BORN.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Cloud Fog Mist Rain Hail Ice Snow Frost Dew BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
GOOD LUCK
IF YOU ARE WORKING AND YOU STUMBLE ON A ROCK WITH YOUR RIGHT FOOT,
GOOD LUCK IN THE FUTURE. IF IT IS THE LEFT FOOT THEN THE FUTURE
HOLDS BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Measure of time Working BELIEF -- Good luck BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 10-00-1981
DEATH BELIEFS
IF A BIRD FLIES IN THE OPEN WINDOW OF A HOUSE, ONE OF THE
RESIDENTS OF THAT HOUSE WILL DIE WITHIN THE YEAR.
Submitter comment: IRISH
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00001950S
DREAM
ANY DREAM THAT IS REPEATED THREE TIMES WILL COME TRUE
ACCORDING TO MANY IRISH BELIEFS. ANOTHER INTERPRETATION IS THAT
THE DREAM IS OMEN OF DEATH IF REPEATED THREE TIMES.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Dreams |
Date learned: 00001940S
DEATH CUSTOMS
WHEN SOMEONE IS DYING AND HEARS A KNOCKING ON A DOOR THAT
NOONE ELSE DOES, THIS IS A SIGN OF THEIR IMPENDING DEATH, MANY
TIMES WITHIN HOURS. THE DOORS ARE TAKEN TO BE OF ETERNAL LIFE.
Where learned: DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00001930S
OMEN BAD LUCK
IF YOU SEE A FLYING, CRYING OWL YOU'LL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
INFORMATION WAS GIVEN TO ME BY MY MOTHER ABOUT AN OMEN TALE TOLD IN
SABINAS, HIDALGO MEXICO: THE PLACE OF HER YOUTH,
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
BAD LUCK OMEN
BAD LUCK WILL COME TO THOSE WHO HEAR A CHICKEN SCREAM.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A BELIEF FROM SABINAS MEXICO, THE INFORMANTS HOME
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Bird BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
BAD LUCK FOOD OMEN
DONT EAT A LEMON WHOLE: YOU'LL LOSE YOUR BLOOD.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF FROM MY MOTHER'S HOME IN SABINAS MEXICO. IT'S HISTO
RY IS UNKNOWN. BUT INFORMANT SAYS OLDER PEOPLE BELLIEVE IT.
HISTORY
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
WEDDING DRESS OMEN
A GIRL SHOULD NEVER WEAR A WEDDING DRESS BEFORE HER TIME OR SHE WILL
REMAIN A WIDOW.
Submitter comment:
A BELIEF FROM SABINAS, MEXICO. PROBABLY COMMON IN MANY COUNTRIES. IN
FORMANT EXPRESSED LITTLE BELIEF IN IT HERSELF.
BY WIDOW THE INFORMANT MEANS SPINSTER MAIDEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; DRESS ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | Observation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981