Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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HOW TO DETERMINE SEX OF UNBORN CHILD
IF AN EXPECTING MOTHER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT SEX HER CHILD WELL BE SHE
SHOULD HAVE HER FUTURE MID-WIFE AID HER IN THE FOLLOWING TEST. IF
THE WOMAN IS FIVE TO NINE MONTHS EXPECTANT SHE SHOULD REST ON THE
FLOOR ON HER BACK WITH BOTH ARMS STRAIGHT AT THEIR SIDES, HER LEGS
AND FEET TOGETHER AND RELAX ALL THOUGHTS OF DOUBT ABOUT THE TEST
WORKING OR NOT. THE MID-WIFE IS TO WASH HER HANDS IN A MIXTURE OF
VINEGAR AND SALT AND HOLD A LONG CHAIN BELONGING TO THE EXPECTANT
WOMAN'S MOTHER; THE CHAIN SHOULD HAVE A HEAVY OBJECT ON ITS END, SUCH
AS A CAMEO OR THE LIKING. THE MID-WIFE IS TO HOLD THE CHAIN AND
OBJECT OVER THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND ASK, "WHAT'S IT GONNA BE LORD,
THE LIKINGS OF ME OR THEE, LORD?" AT THAT POINT THE HANGING OBJECT
SHOULD REST ON THE WOMAN'S STOMACH AND IT SHOULD BE SLOWLY RAISED AND
AGAIN RESTED, RAISED, RESTED AND SO ON. IF THE OBJECT ON THE CHAIN
SWINGS CLOCKWISE AS IT'S RAISED AND LOWERED ONTO THE UNBORN CHILD, IT
WILL BE A MALE. BUT IN THE EVENT THAT THE OBJECT SWINGS
COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, THE UNBORN CHILD WILL BE A FEMALE. THE OBJECT'S
MOVEMENT WILL BE ONLY SLIGHT. THIS TEST SHOULD BE DONE AT LEAST FIVE
TIMES AND IF THE TEST "PROVES" THE CHILD TO BE A MALE AT LEAST THREE
OUT OF THE FIVE TRYS, THE MOTHER SHOULD EXPECT A SON AND LIKEWISE, IF
THE OBJECT SWINGS TO THE LEFT OR COUNTER-CLOCKWISE AT LEAST THREE OF
THE FIVE TRIES, THE MOTHER
WILL HAVE A DAUGHTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1935
CUSTOMS
CIGARS: IF YOU ARE EITHER NEWLY PROMOTED OR A NEW FATHER, YOU
DISTRIBUTE CIGARS TO ALL OFFICERS.
Where learned: NOT INCLUDED
Keyword(s): MILITARY ; PROMOTION, NEW FATHER
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Work Commerce Business CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Number |
CALF'S MILK PUDDING
A SCANDINAVIAN TRADITION CELEBRATES THE BIRTH OF A NEW CALF BY TAKING
ITS MOTHER'S FIRST MILK AND MAKING A SPECIAL PUDDING THAT COULD
ONLY BE MADE WITH THIS MILK.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
Date learned: 11-17-1968
BIRTH
IT IS CUSTOMARY TO PUT A PINK OR BLUE BOW ON THE OUTSIDE DOOR OF
THE HOME TO ANNOUNCE THE BIRTH OF A BABY IN THAT FAMILY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT GAVE ME THIS ITEM WHILE VISITING AT MY HOME IN TAYLOR,
MICHIGAN. THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM A NEIGHBOR WHERE SHE LIVES
IN MARBLEHEAD, MASS. AND RECENTLY PUT THE CUSTOM INTO PRACTICE.
MARBLEHEAD, MASS. IS A VERY SMALL NEW ENGLAND TOWN ON THE COAST
APPROXIMATELY 40 MINUTES FROM BOSTON. THIS CUSTOM HAS BEEN PRACTICED
SINCE APPROXIMATELY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY AND IS STILL DONE TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1977
POLISH GIRLS AT BIRTH ARE NOT GIVEN MIDDLE NAMES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Person / Nickname CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-00-1977
EXPECTING MOTHERS
EXPECTANT MOTHERS GO TO CHURCH AND SAY A SERIES OF PRAYERS THAT THE
CHILD WILL HAVE A LONG AND PROSPEROUS LIFE
Submitter comment: INFORMANT WAS RELUCTANT TO SAY WHAT THE PRAYERS WERE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
NEW BORN CHILDREN
A WOMAN SHOULD NOT BE LEFT ALONE FOR 40 DAYS AFTER SHE DELIVERS OR
AN EVIL SPIRIT WILL COME AND STEAL THE CHILD AND EXCHANGE IT WITH ONE
OF HIS OWN. IF THIS HAPPENS THE PARENTS TAKE THE EVIL CHILD TO
THE CHURCH AND PLACE IT ON THE STEPS FOR ONE HALF HOUR AND GO IN
SIDE TO PRAY. WHEN THEY RETURN THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CHILD BACK
Submitter comment: CHANGELING
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Church BELIEF -- Number P686.1.40 |
Date learned: 10-00-1977
BIRTH BELIEFS
BABIES ARE PICKED OUT OF A CABBAGE IN A GARDEN DURING A FULL MOON.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 02-00-1977
CELEBRATION OF A ROYAL BIRTH
IN THE NETHERLANDS, EVERYTIME THE QUEEN GIVES BIRTH,
THE CITIZENS GET BISQUICK WITH PINK DECORATIONS FOR A
GIRL. IF IT IS A BOY, THE WOULD GET BISQUICK WITH BLUE
DECORATIONS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; OAK PARK
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFTS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-00-1979
POLISH BAPTISMAL CUSTOM
IT IS CUSTOMARY AMONG SOME POLISH PEOPLE TO FASHION A BAPTISMAL
DRESS FOR A FIRST BORN CHILD FROM THE WEDDING VEIL OF THE MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 02-00-1979
EXPECTANT MOTHERS - BELIEF
NAMING A BABY GIRL AFTER THE MOTHER - IT WILL BE HER LAST CHILD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Last events: the last person to the table... |
Date learned: CA00001968
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
WEDDING RING ON A STRING, HOLD STRING OVER MOTHER'S STOMACH.
IF IT SWINGS SIDE TO SIDE - IT WILL BE A BOY
IF IT SWINGS IN A CIRCLE - IT WILL BE A GIRL.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; REDFORD
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: CA00001968
PREGNANT WOMAN
PREGNANT WOMEN DOWN SOUTH EAT LAUNDRY STARCH FOR BIG BABIES.
Submitter comment:
EFFECTS: IN ACTUALITY THE BABIES ARE BIG BUT THE STARCH DRAWS OUT
THE IRON FROM THE BABIES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-00-1970
SUPERSTITION
WHEN JEWISH WOMEN ARE PREGNANT THEY DO NOT BUY A LAYETTE FOR FEAR IF
THEY DO, THEY WILL LOSE THE CHILD OR ELSE THE CHILD WILL BE BORN DEA
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): RELIGION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 03-09-1971
BIRTH
PREDICTING THE DUE DATE FOR THE EXPECTED CHILD, AN INDIAN WOULD
COUNT NINE FULL MOONS TILL DUE DATE.
IN STEAD OF THE NORMAL WAY OF PREDICTING THE DUE DATE FOR THE
EXPECTED CHILD, AN INDIAN WOULD COUNT NINE FULL MOONS TILL DUE DATE.
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): MEDICINE MAN
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Number P686.3.9 |
Date learned: 11-18-1969
IT IS BAD LUCK IF SOME ONE GIVES YOU BABY ARTICLES AS SOON AS YOU
KNOW YOU ARE PREGNANT.
Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT HER HOME
Keyword(s): IMPLIED WARNING ; MISFORTUNE
James Callow Keyword(s): GIFT-GIVING
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Emptiness, nothingness, zero BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 02-15-1970
JAPANESE SEA-HORSE
PREGNANT JAPANESE WOMEN WILL WEAR A DRIED SEA HORSE.
IT IS A CHARM FOR SAFE CHILD BIRTH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GOOD LUCK CHARM ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): AMULET
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Animal |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
BAMBOO DIPPERS
PREGNANT JAPANESE WOMEN BELIEVE IN OFFERING A BAMBOO DIPPER TO
SHRINES. THE BOTTOMS ARE BROKEN THROUGH,
SYMBOLIZING AN EASY DELIVERY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
BIRTH MARKS
IF AN EXPECTANT MOTHER CRAVES STAWBERRIES AND DOESN'T GET THEM,
THE CHILD WILL BE BORN WITH "STRAWBERRY MARKS."
Where learned: DETROIT ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED
Keyword(s): EATING SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- P244 P244.6 BELIEF -- Body part Senses BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
PREGNANT WOMEN ARE NOT TO WALK OVER A HOSE (GARDEN HOSE, ETC.)
AS THIS WILL STRANGLE THE UNBORN CHILD
Submitter comment: INFORMANT ASSURED ME THIS WAS ACTUALLY TRUE.
Keyword(s): THREAT SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMESOPATHIC MAGIC
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness |
Date learned: 02-26-1971