Dr. James T. Callow publications
Browse by
Questions or comments on this site? Please email davidsor@udmercy.edu.
The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F542 returned 219 results.
THE EXPECTANT MOTHER HAS TO DANGLE A PENCIL BY MEANS
OF A STRING TIED TO IT OFF THE EDGE OF A TABLE (OR
ANYTHING SOLID) ABOVE HER OTHER HAND WHICH IS COMPLETELY
RELAXED, PALM-UP. AFTER A REASONABLE LENGTH OF TIME,
THE PENCIL WILL START EITHER VIBRATING OR ROTATING.
VIBRATING, A BACK AND FORTH MOVEMENT, MEANS THAT SHE
WILL HAVE A BOY; WHILE ROTATING DESIGNATES A GIRL.
Where learned: WISCONSIN ; SUN PRAIRIE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD, HOLD A RING
ON A STRING IN FRONT OF THE ABDOMEN OF THE MOTHER.
THE DIRECTION IT MOVES, WILL TELL WHICH SEX THE
BABY IS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
FIRST, HAVE THE PREGNANT WOMAN LIE DOWN. NEXT YOU GET A
SEWING NEEDLE, TIE A PIECE OF STRING THROUGH THE "EYE" OF
THE NEEDLE. NOW YOU ARE TO HOLD THE STRING AT THE
END ALLOWING THE NEEDLE TO SWING FREE. YOU HOLD THE
NEEDLE OVER THE ABDOMEN OF THE PREGNANT WOMAN AND WATCH
THE ROTATION OF THE NEEDLE. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS
VERTICALLY, THE CHILD WILL BE A BOY. IF THE NEEDLE SWINGS
HORIZONTALLY, THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL. YOU SHOULD BE
STANDING AT HER FEET TO WATCH THE DIRECTION OF THE SWING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): DIAGRAMS OF HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY ON 5 X 8 CARD.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-06-1967
IF A BABY SAYS "MAMA" FIRST, THE NEXT CHILD WILL BE A
GIRL. IF THE BABY DAYS "DADA" FIRST, THE NEXT CHILD
WILL BE A BOY.
Submitter comment: THIS IS A SUPERSTITION COMMON IN THE OSWALD FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
IF AN EXPECTANT MOTHER OR HER HUSBAND IS A PILOT OR
FLIES FREQUENTLY, SHE WILL HAVE A GIRL. MM
IF YOU HAVE A BABY ON A NIGHT WITH A FULL MOON, IT WIL L
BE A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN SLEEPS ON HER RIGHT SIDE, SHE
WILL HAVE A GIRL; IF SHE SLEEPS ON HER LEFT SIDE,
SHE WILL HAVE A BOY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT AND A MEMBER OF HER FAMILY
DIES, THE BABY WILL BE THE SEX OF THE DECEASED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
TO DETERMINE SEX OF BABY IN GREEK-AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS, SALT
IS SPRINKLED ON THE HEAD OF EXPECTANT MOTHERS. IF MOTHER
RAISES HANDS TO HEAD THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL. IF HANDS
GO TO LOWER PART OF BODY, THE BABY WILL BE A BOY.
Submitter comment: LEARNED FROM CHILDHOOD.
Where learned: MAIL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 08-00-1967
THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD CAN BE DETERMINED BY TIEING
A STRING TO THE MOTHER'S WEDDING RING AND HOLDING IT
ABOVE THE STOMACH; IF IT SWINGS IN A CIRCLE--A BOY--
BACK AND FORTH--A GIRL.
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-22-1968
A WAY OF DETERMINING WHETHER THE NEXT CHILD WILL BE A BOY
OR A GIRL CAN BE FOUND BY LOOKING AT SOMEONE'S SCALP
AND FINDING THE PLACE WHERE ALL THE HAIR COMES
TOGETHER. IF THIS SPOT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR HEAD,
THEN THE NEXT CHILD WILL PROBABLY BE A BOY. IF THE
SPOT IS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT OF THE CENTER OF THE HEAD,
THE NEXT CHILD WILL MORE THAN LIKELY BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
TO PREDICT THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD TIE AN EGG TO A
STRING AND HOLD IT OVER THE PREGNANT WOMAN'S STOMACH--
IF EGG MOVES TO THE LEFT, BABY WILL BE A BOY--IF EGG
MOVES TO THE RIGHT, IT WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: VERMONT ; VERGENNES
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1971
AFTER A NEWBORN BABY IS ABOUT TO LOSE THE CORD FROM HIS
NAVEL YOU SHOULD TAPE A HALF-DOLLAR OVER THE NAVEL.
THIS WILL KEEP THE NAVEL FROM RUPTURING.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT IS COLLECTOR'S SISTER-IN-LAW.
Where learned: MARYLAND ; HAVRE DE GRACE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-02-1970
WHEN YOU SEE A BABY FOR THE FIRST TIME, PUT A PIECE OF
SILVER IN HIS HAND FOR GOOD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-28-1970
PUT A SILVER DOLLAR IN A BABY'S HAND TO PREVENT THE BABY
FROM GROWING UP TO BE A THIEF. --SPANISH.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-22-1972
TO NEVER LEAVE A NEWBORN BABY THAT HASN'T BEEN BAPTIZED
ALONE WITHOUT PUTTING UNDER ITS PILLOW A RELIGIOUS
ARTICLE, A BROOM (OR PIECE OF ONE), OR SCISSORS.
Submitter comment: CUSTOM
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-26-1969
NEVER LET A PREGNANT WOMAN BAPTIZE YOUR CHILD. YOUR
BABY WILL SUFFER SICKNESS OR DIE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 09-13-1969
INDIA-EXPECTANT MOTHER
AS SOON AS THE EXPECTANT MOTHER DISCOVERS OF HER
PREGNANCY (3 OR 4 MOS. AFTER CONCEPTION) SHE GOES
TO LIVE THE REST OF THE GESTATION PERIOD WITH HER
MOTHER. BEFORE SHE GOES TO THE HOSPITAL FOR DELIVERY, SHE
IS VISITED BY ALL OF HER RELATIVES--IN FRONT OF WHOM SHE
IS TO WORSHIP GOD; HERE SHE IS ALSO BLESSED BY HER
PARENTS TO HAVE A SON. THEN A SMALL CELEBRATION WILL
FOLLOW.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-29-1968
RUSSIAN BELIEF - FORECASTING BIRTH OF BABY
THE BABY WILL BE BORM 4 AND ONE-HALF MONTHS FROM THE
DAY THE EXPECTANT MOTHER FEELS THE FIRST KICK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-08-1968
WHEN A BABY IS BORN INTO A LEBANESE FAMILY, THEY DRINK
CINAMMON TEA. IF THE CHILD IS A BOY, THEY PUT WALNUT
MEATS IN IT.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth Food Drink -- Brew of leaf, bark, root |
Date learned: 02-29-1972
THE BIRTH OF A CHILD IS ANNOUNCED IN GLENDALE, OHIO
BY PLAYING NURSERY RHYMES ON CHURCH BELLS. THEY PLAY
"LITTLE JACK HORNER" FOR A BOY AND "MARY HAD A LITTLE
LAMB" FOR A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GRAND RAPIDS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-00-1971