Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for P542 returned 854 results.
A MOTHER MUST LOSE A TOOTH FOR EACH CHILD SHE BRINGS
INTO THIS WORLD.
BABIES BORN TO PARENTS OF MATURE YEARS, ARE MORE
LIKELY TO HAVE BRILLIANT MINDS.
Submitter comment: FROM NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 11-24-1967
MARY WENT INTO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE. HE EXAMINED HER
AND ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WAS GOING TO BE THE MOTHER OF
TWINS. MARY ONLY LAUGHED -- SHE KNEW SHE DID IT ONLY
ONCE.
Where learned: NOT GIVEN
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. 686 Seconds / Twice / Two BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
PREGNANT WOMAN
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN FELL DOWN THE STEPS, SHE'D
HAVE A MISCARRIAGE.
Submitter comment: COMMON BELIEF, PERHAPS FROM HER MOTHER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 04-15-1967
A LUCKY CHILD
THE SEVENTH SON OR DAUGHTER BORN IN A ROW IS
SUPPOSED TO BE BLESSED WITH A SPECIAL SUPERNATURAL
POWER.
Submitter comment: I HEARD THIS FROM MY FRIEND WHILE I WAS IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Prophet / Seer / Soothsayer BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 12-04-1967
DETERMINING THE SEX
FIRST YOU NEED A NEEDLE HANGING FROM A PIECE OF STRING.
HOLD THE STRING IN YOUR HAND WITH THE NEEDLE OVER THE
PERSON'S WRIST. IF THE NEEDLE GOES IN A CIRCLE, IT WILL
BE A GIRL, BUT IF THE NEEDLE GOES BACK AND FORTH, IT WILL
BE A BOY. IF THE CIRCLE OR BACK AND FORTH MOVEMENT IS
LARGE IT MEANS THAT IT WILL BE A BIG BABY. WHEN THE
NEEDLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THAT MEANS THAT YOU
WON'T HAVE ANY MORE CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
I HEARD THIS FROM A FRIEND. THIS WAS DONE ON A
WOMAN THAT NO ONE KNEW WHO WAS ALREADY MARRIED AND
IT REALLY WORKED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 11-29-1967
SPOON TEST FOR DETERMINING SEX
MY GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS OF GERMAN DESCENT, TOLD ME
THIS STORY. YOU SPIN A SPOON BEHIND A PREGNANT WOMAN.
IF THE HANDLE IS AWAY FROM HER, IT WILL BE A GIRL.
IF IT'S TOWARD HER, IT'S A BOY. IF THE HANDLE IS
SIDEWAYS, TWINS.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
PREDICTION OF BABY'S SEX
THE PREGNANT MOTHER LAYS DOWN ON HER BACK. THEN YOU
TAKE EITHER A NEEDLE OR A PENCIL HUNG ON A STRING
AND HOLD IT OVER HER NAVEL. IF IT GOES IN A CIRCLE
IT WILL BE A GIRL. IF IT GOES BACK AND FORTH, IT
WILL BE A BOY.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER NEIGHBOR IN WAYNE, MICHIGAN,
CAROL PROUGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
PREDICTION OF BABY'S FUTURE
MY SISTER TOLD ME THAT IF A BABY WAS BORN WITH A
TOOTH, HE WOULD BE A SCHOLAR.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HIS SISTER, MRS. LA MOUNTAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
BAD LUCK PREVENTION: (ITALIAN)-SALT
TO PREVENT BAD LUCK FROM ENTERING A HOUSE, PLACE SALT IN LITTLE
BAGS AND PUT THE BAGS IN THE CORNERS OF THE ROOMS WHERE NO ONE SEES
THEM. IT IS ESPECIALLY GOOD TO DO THIS WHEN A NEW BABY ARRIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): CONVERSION ; HOME, DOMESTIC PURSUITS ; SUPERNATURAL: SALT AS LUCKY CHARM
James Callow Keyword(s): POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually. BELIEF -- Mineral BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Conversions P883.17 |
Date learned: 12-00-1969
BAD LUCK OMEN
WHEN AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, HOWEVER MANY BOWS THE BRIDE-TO-BE BREAKS,
THATHS HOW MANY CHILDREN SHE WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Breaking of BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Number Counting beliefs |
Date learned: 00-00-1947
EXPECTANT MOTHERS
IF A PREGNANT WOMAN EATS THE FLESH OF A WILD PIG, SHE WILL HAVE A
VERY UGLY OR FEROCIOUS BABY.
Submitter comment: THIS IS BELIEVED IN NIGERIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
| Subject headings: | Food Drink -- Meat Wild animal BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Birth |
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
BAD LUCK BIRTH
CHILDREN BORN DURING AN ECLIPSE WILL BE DEFORMED
Submitter comment:
A BELIEF OF SABINAS, HIDALGO MEXICO; BUT THE INFORMANT, WHO WAS RAI
SED THERE, EXPRESSED LITTLE FAITH IN IT.
RAISED
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Sun BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981
ONE WAY TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD IS TO HOLD A RING
ON A STRING OVER THE EXPECTANT MOTHER'S STOMACH. IF THE RING SWAYS
TO THE RIGHT, THE CHILD WILL BE A GIRL; IF IT SWAYS TO THE LEFT,
IT'S A BOY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT MADE IT CLEAR THAT SHE BELIEVES IN THIS OLD ITALIAN
BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
A WAY TO DETERMINE THE SEX OF AN UNBORN CHILD IS TO HOLD A SAUCER
OF WATER OVER THE MOTHER'S HEAD AND THEN PUT A DROP OF OIL IN THE
SAUCER. IF THE DROP SPREADS, THE UNBORN BABY WILL BE A GIRL; IF THE
DROP STAYS IN PLACE, THE BABY IS A BOY.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT MADE IT A CLEAR THAT SHE BELIEVES IN THIS OLD ITALIAN
BELIEF.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 02-25-1982
IF YOU TALK ABOUT SOMEONE, AND HE APPEARS AT THE SAME MOMENT, IT IS A
SIGN THAT HE IS NOT A BASTARD.
Where learned: TANZANIA ; EAST AFRICA
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 03-00-1982
PREGNANT REMEDY
SUGAR AND WATER WILL DETERMINE WHETHER A PREGNANT WOMAN IS IN LABOR
OR NOT.
Submitter comment:
AFTER TAKING THE SOLUTION, IF THE RESULTS ARE VERY PAINFUL, THE
WOMAN IS IN LABOR, BUT IF THE LABOR PAINS DECREASE THE WOMAN WAS IN
FALSE LABOR. MRS. CLARK USED THIS REMEDY WHEN SHE WAS EXPECTING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 00-00-1950
ON THE FIRST SIGHT OF SPRING, A CELEBRATION MUST
BE INITIATED BY THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE BOYS
IN THE VILLAGE TO INSURE GOOD LUCK FOR THE NEW YEAR.
Submitter comment:
IT WAS BELIEVED THIS WOULD INSURE HEALTHY BIRTHS OF
ALL CHILDREN AND WOULD INCREASE THE BIRTHS OF BOYS.
Where learned: COLLECTED BY MAIL ; COOKHAM RISE ; BERKSHIRE
James Callow Keyword(s): SEXISM
Date learned: 00-00-1970
MONEY BELIEF
MY MOTHER ALWAYS GIVES A NEW-BORN BABY SILVER MONEY SO THAT IT
WILL NEVER BE IN NEED. THIS ONLY HAPPENS THE FIRST TIME SHE SEES
THE BABY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
EXPECTANT MOTHER BELIEF-CUSTOM
A PREGNANT WOMAN SHOULDNT RAISE HER ARMS ABOVE HER HEAD OR SHE
WILL STRANGLE THE BABY.
Submitter comment:
THIS BELIEF WAS FIRMLY HELD BY THE INFORMANT'S ITALIAN FEMALE
RELATIVES.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; CLINTON TOWNSHIP
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-00-1982