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LEGEND

EVERY HALLOWEEN NIGHT THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN GOES OUT LOOKING
FOR HIS HEAD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): GHOST ; Headless ; Horseman ; Legend ; Scary ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 03-15-1968

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PINCH OF THE DEAD

WHEN YOU FIND A BLACK AND BLUE MARK ON YOUR BODY AND
YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE
WHO IS CLOSE TO YOU, AND THAT DIED, AND THAT NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS
HAS COME BACK AND WANTS TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS NEED.
THEREFORE, HE PINCHES YOU AND LEAVES A BLACK AND BLUE MARK AS A
SYMBOL OR SIGN OF HIS NEED.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Dead ; Haunt ; Pinch ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead

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

Date learned: 03-31-1970

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GHOST BELIEF

IN THAILAND EVERYONE IS AFRAID OF GHOSTS, WHEN MY AUNT
WAS THERE SHE HAD A HOUSEKEEPER WHO
WAS VERY AFRAID OF GHOSTS. ONE DAY
SHE CAME HOME AND HER HOUSEKEEPER WASN'T THERE. TWO DAYS LATER SHE
RETURNED. SHE SAID SHE HAD HEARD A GHOST SO SHE LEFT.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM FROM HER AUNT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; SUPERSTITION ; THAILAND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-08-1965

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GHOST IN WHITE

A WOMAN IN WHITE ROAMS THE WOODS OF BELLE ISLE PARK NEAR DOWNTOWN
DETROIT WITH A HOOK-HANDED FRIEND. THIS STORY HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR YEARS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEWSPAPER ; DETROIT FREE PRESS

Keyword(s): Belle Isle ; GHOST ; Haunting ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; Undead

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed

Date learned: 08-27-1968

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GREMLINS

GREMLINS ARE INVISIBLE DEMONS WHO CAUSE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY FOR NO EXPLAINABLE REASON.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

James Callow comment:

COLLECTOR SAYS THIS IS NOT BELIEVED IN. HE CONSIDERED IT A PROVERB
OR PERHAPS SIMPLY VOCABULARY. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS TO FIT BEST
IN THE P SECTION, EVEN THOUGH NOT BELIEVED.--J.T. CALLOW

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-17-1968

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HOT STEAM

A "HOT STEAM" IS SOMEBODY WHO CAN'T
GET TO HEAVEN, JUST WALLOWS AROUND
ON LONESOME ROADS AN' IF YOU WALK THROUGH ONE, WHEN YOU DIE YOU'LL
BE ONE TOO AN' YOU'LL GO AROUND AT
NIGHT SUCKING PEOPLE'S BREATH. YOU
CAN'T KEEP FROM PASSING THROUGH ONE. SOMETIMES THEY STRETCH ALL
THE WAY ACROSS THE ROAD, BUT IF YOU HAFTA GO THROUGH ONE YOU SAY:
ANGEL-BRIGHT, LIFE-IN-DEATH; GET
OFF THE ROAD, DON'T SUCK MY BREATH."
THIS KEEPS THEM FROM WRAPPING AROUND YOU.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ALABAMA ; "To Kill a Mockingbird"

Keyword(s): GHOST ; LITERATURE ; Quote ; Soul ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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CEMETERY STATUE

THERE IS A CEMETERY IN WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA WITH A SIX
FOOT STATUE OF A GIRL, DRESSED IN A FLOWING ROBE, CARRYING AN ARMFUL
OF SCHOOL BOOKS, PENCIL CASE, ETC.
THE HISTORY OF THE FIGURE IS AS FOLLOWS:
THE GIRL WAS COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL
ONE DAY WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED, RAPED, AND KILLED BY TWO HOODLUMS,
ON THE DAY OF HER BIRTHDAY. HER PARENTS HAD A
STATUE MADE IN HER LIKENESS AT THE TIME SHE WAS KILLED, AND PLACED ON
HER GRAVE, WHICH IS ON A HILL OVERLOOKING
A LARGE PART OF THE CEMETERY.
BECAUSE SHE WAS A VIRGIN AT THE TIME OF DEATH, IT IS BELIEVED THAT
ANYONE GOING INTO THE CEMETERY AT THE DEAD OF NIGHT
AND WHO DARES TO WALK THE
LONELY WALK UP TO THE STATUE, AND TOUCH IT WILL DISCOVER WHETHER OR
NOT THEY ARE A VIRGIN. A VIRGIN WILL
RECEIVE NO HARM FROM THE STATUE,
BUT A NON-VIRGIN WILL RECEIVE A SMALL
CUT AND CONSEQUENTLY BLEED FROM TOUCHING THE GARMENT OF THE
STATUE. IN ADDITION, ON THE EVE OF HER BIRTHDAY, THE
STATUE IS BELIEVED TO COME ALIVE AND WALK THE CEMETERY LOOKING
FOR HER MURDERERS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE

Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Urban Legend ; Virgin

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-15-1965

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MAGIC RING

THERE IS A RING--SET ON A TABLE-- THAT ATTRACTS SOULS.
IT IS LIKE WHAT
YOU CALL AN ANTENNA. THE SOULS THAT IT ATTRACTS POSSESS THE BODY
OF A LIVING PERSON. THIS IS VERY
DANGEROUS IF NOT USED PROPERLY, AND IF
USED BY A WEAK MEDIUM.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; MAGIC ; RING ; Soul ; SPIRIT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Sign Geometric figure Circle and other round forms

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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SPIRITS

ALL SOULS WANDER AFTER DEATH, INCLUDING ANIMAL SOULS.
THEY WANDER IF THEY HAD AN UNHAPPY LIFE, OR IF THEY WERE UNSATISFIED
BEFORE THEY DIED. THEY KEEP SEARCHING FOR PEACE.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; Soul ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter
BELIEF -- Animal
BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color

Date learned: 02-04-1968

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BELIEF

MERMAIDS CAME TO THE HOMESICK SAILORS DURING LONG AND LONELY VOYAGES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Mermaids ; Sirens ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-29-1968

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BOOGIEMAN BELIEF

WHEN I WAS A KID MY PARENTS USED TO TELL ME THAT OLD UNCLE
GEORGE WAS THIS GHOST THAT LIVED IN THE BASEMENT AND
THAT HE WOULD COME UP AT NIGHT AND EAT ME ALIVE IF I WAS BAD.
(I USED TO HAVE A PICTURE IN MY MIND
OF EXACTLY WHAT UNCLE GEORGE LOOKED
LIKE. HE WAS EXTREMELY OLD AND DUMB, LIKE JETHRO.)

Submitter comment:

JETHRO IS A MUSCLE BOUND HILLBILLY OF A SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW CALLED
THE "BEVERLY HILLBILLIES".

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): Boogieman ; CHILDREN ; FUNCTION ; Legend ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; THREAT

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-02-1970

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BANSHE

IN IRELAND, EVERYONE IS AFRAID OF
THE BANSHE. THEY WERE FAIRY WOMEN AND WHEN ANY PERSON WAS NEAR
DEATH OR DYING THE BANSHE CAME AROUND THE HOUSE
CRYING THREE NIGHTS BEFORE THE PERSON DIED.

Data entry tech comment:

BANSHEE IS SPELLED IN GAELIC ON THE ORIGINAL CARD.

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): BANSHEE ; IRELAND ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 11-18-1970

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THE SPIRIT WATCHES

IN SMALL VILLAGES OF THAILAND, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE SPIRIT
OF SOME NATIVE OF THAT TOWN WHO HAD DIED LONG AGO STILL WATCHES OVER
THE TOWN, PROTECTING IT FROM EVIL. THE SPIRIT OF THIS PERSON MAKES
HIMSELF KNOWN BY APPEARING TO A FEW OF THE VILLAGERS, PROVING HIS
AUTHENTICITY BY TELLING PEOPLE
THEIR LIFE HISTORY IN ITS ENTIRETY.
THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN MANY CASES, AND NO EXPLANATION
CAN BE GIVEN OF A NATURAL SORT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: THAILAND

Keyword(s): Legend ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; THAILAND

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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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

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

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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SUPERSTITION

WHEN ONE HEARS NOISES THREE DAYS AFTER BURYING A LOVED ONE
MEANS HIS SPIRIT CAME BACK TO THANK THE FAMILY FOR ALL THEY
HAVE DONE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND

Keyword(s): Haunting ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 10-22-1968

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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

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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CHARMS AGAINST GHOSTS

CANDLE LIGHT IS A POWERFUL PROTECTION AGAINST GHOSTS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHARMS ; GHOST ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; Ward

Subject headings: Charm / Enchantment / Conjuration
BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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SIGNS OF GHOSTS

A NET WILL KEEP GHOSTS AWAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GHOST ; SUPERSTITION ; Ward

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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SIGNS OF GHOSTS

ALWAYS CARRY A KEY, IF A KEY IS THROWN AT A GHOST, THE GHOST
WILL DISAPPEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): GHOST ; Key ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter

Date learned: 09-25-1969

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