Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE
DEAD PEOPLE NOT BURIED WITHIN 5 DAYS WILL BECOME A VAMPIRE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
Keyword(s): SUPERNATURAL ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead ; Vampire
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | 686 Fifths CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
WHO BECOMES A VAMPIRE
UNBAPTISED PEOPLE BURIED IN UNHALLOWED GROUND WILL BECOME VAMPIRES.
Where learned: ENGLAND ; WORCESTER
James Callow Keyword(s): TRANSFORMATION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Baptism Naming rite CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Werewolf Vampire |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
WHEN A WOMAN IS SEPARATED, DIVORCED OR ESTRANGED FROM HER HUSBAND
AND HE DIES, SHE TAKES A RIBBON OFF OF THE FLOWERS ON THE FACE
OF THE COFFIN, AND HANGS IT ON HER DOOR, TO WARD OFF HER
HUSBAND HAUNTING HER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-00-1970
ELECTROCUTIONS
IT IS A COMMON BELIEF, REINFORCED BY MOVIES AND TELEVISION
SHOWS, THAT THE LIGHTS IN A PENITENTIARY DIM WHEN A CONVICT
IS ELECTROCUTED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
POLISH FUNERAL
IN POLAND NO EMBALMING TAKES PLACE. THE DECEASED IS LAID OUT
FOR 3 DAYS IN THEIR OWN HOME.
CANDLES ARE SET AT THE HEAD AND FOOT OF THE DECEASED.
FLOWERS ARE THEN ARRANGED AROUND THE CASKET, WHICH
IS SET ON A SMALL PLATFORM USED BY THE VILLAGE. THE CASKET IS
MADE OF VARNISHED WOOD, AND IS
USUALLY DECORATED BY FOLK ART COMMON
TO THAT REGION. THIS IS SOMETIMES DONE WITH STEEL
PINS TO OUTLINE THE
DESIGN OR IS PAINTED ON TOP OF THE CASKET. ON THE FOURTH DAY,
THE BURIAL TAKES PLACE. A PROCESSION FROM THE HOUSE TO THE
CHURCH FORMS WITH THE ALTAR BOYS
GOING FIRST. THE OUTSIDE BOYS CARRY
LIGHTED CANDLES, WHILE THE BOY IN THE MIDDLE CARRIES THE CRUCIFIX.
THEN THE PRIEST FOLLOWS, LEADING HYMMS FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
A HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE FOLLOWS, CARRYIMG THE BODY OF THE DECEASED.
THE FLOWERS FROM THE HOUSE ARE PUT AROUND THE CASKET, AND THE REST
ARE PUT ON TOP OF THE CARRIAGE. MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY FOLLOW IN
ORDER OF RELATEDNESS TO THE DECEASED. EXAMPLE=HUSBAND AND KIDS
FIRST. A MASS IS SAID AT THE CHURCH FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL.
ALL TRADITIONAL SONGS OF THE PARTICULAR REGION ARE SUNG. AT THE
END OF MASS, THE SAME PROCESSION IS FORMED IN EXACTLY THE SAME
ORDER AS BEFORE. AGAIN THE PRIEST LEADS THE MOURNERS IN LOCAL
HYMMS. THE CARRIAGE FOLLOWS WITH
THE MOURNERS BEHIND THE CARRIAGE.
AT THE CEMETERY, THE GRAVE HAS
ALREADY BEEN DUG, WITH THE PLANKS PLACED
ACROSS THE HOLE. THE PRIEST
SAYS THE RITUAL AND BLESSES THE
GROUND. THEN THE CASKET IS NAILED SHUT,
AND IS LOWERED INTO THE GRAVE.
THE RELATIVE CLOSEST TO THE DECEASED THEN THROWS THE FIRST HANDFUL
OF DIRT. THEN EVERYONE, IN FAMILY ORDER, THROWS A HANDFUL OF
DIRT. EVERYONE LEAVES IN ORDER TO GIVE THE IMMEDIATE FAMILY A
CHANCE TO PAY THEIR FINAL RESPECTS.
Submitter comment:
VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THIS FUNERAL CHANGE FROM REGION TO REGION.
ATTENDED FUNERAL AS SUCH MYSELF WHILE IN POLAND
Where learned: POLAND ; CHELMNO
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBER ; SYMBOL
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 07-00-1971
SLOVAK FUNERAL CUSTOM
AFTER COMING BACK FROM A FUNERAL TOUCH A STOVE, WASH YOUR HANDS,
AND SAY "GO TO HEAVEN".
Submitter comment:
JOHN MIHAL
LEARNED THIS ITEM FROM HIS FATHER'S PARENTS WHO WERE
SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails |
Date learned: 10-15-1975
SLOVAK FUNERAL BELIEF
NEVER BURY ANYONE UNTIL AT LEAST THREE DAYS AFTER DEATH, BECAUSE
IT TAKES THE SOUL THAT LONG TO REACH HEAVEN.
Submitter comment:
JOHN MIHAL
LEARNED THIS ITEM FROM HIS FATHER'S PARENTS WHO WERE
SLOVAK IMMIGRANTS. THEY NOW LIVE IN ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-15-1975
LEGEND
THERE IS A CATHOLIC CEMETERY IN TOLEDO, IT,S THE BIGGEST CEMETERY
IN TOLEDO. IN THE MID 20S, WHEN GYPSIES WERE STILL A BIG THING,
THERE WAS SUPPOSEDLY A GYPSY QUEEN THAT DIED. SO THE GYPSIES HELD
A BIG BURIAL FOR HER, WITH ALL THE RITES AND FEASTS AND PARTYING-
DOWN. THEY INTERRED HER BODY IN A BIG MAUSOLEUM WITH BEAUTIFUL
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. THE QUEEN HAD DIED IN CHILDBIRTH. SO ANYWAY
THERE ARE SPECIAL NIGHTS EVERY MONTH' I DON,T KNOW WHAT THE NIGHTS
ARE, WHERE YOU CAN SUPPOSEDLY SEE THE SHADOW OF A WOMAN WALKING A
CHILD AND HEAR A CHILD CRYING. ONE NIGHT MY DAD TOOK ME TO THE
CEMETERY. AGAINST THE FLICKERING LIGHT OF CANDLES, I SAW THE SVELTE
SHADOW OF A WOMAN PACING BACK AND FORTH AND HEARD A BABY CRYING. WE
WENT BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE MAUSOLEUM HAD GATES WHICH CLOSED OFF
THE FRONT, AND HUGE IRON DOORS WHICH WERE SHUT. WE CHECKED THE
GATES AND THEY HAD BEEN WELDED OR RUSTED SHUT, SO THERE WAS NO WAY
ANYONE COULD GET INSIDE.
Submitter comment:
IF THE INFORMANT SAID HE SAW THE SHADOW AND HEARD THE CHILD, HE DID.
HE IS NOT GIVEN TO EXAGGERATING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter PROSE NARRATIVE -- B439 CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
LEGEND
IN MEXICO WHEN SOMEONE DIES, YOU CAN APPROACH A CERTAIN GROUP AND
THEY WILL GIVE A MASS FOR THAT PERSON FOR 30 STRAIGHT DAYS. THIS IS
SO THE PERSON WILL GO TO HEAVEN. BUT YOU CAN'T MISS A DAY OF THOSE
30 DAYS. MY UNCLE DIED IN SAN PANCHO, AND HIS SISTER-IN-LAW WAS IN
THE GROUP. SO THEY PRAYED FOR HIM. THE SISTER-IN-LAW IS REALLY
OLD AND EVERYONE KNOWS SHE IS DYING. ON THE 30TH DAY OF THE MASS,
SHE FELT SOMEONE COME UP AND TOUCH HER ON THE SHOULDER. SHE TURNED
AND THE PERSON SAID, " MUCHAS GRACIAS. TE ESPERO?" WHICH MEANT,
THANK YOU' SHOULD I WAIT FOR YOU? THEN HE WALKED AWAY. SHE DIDN,T
SEE HIS FACE, BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS MY UNCLE BY THE WAY HE WAS BUILT.
EVERYONE IN TOWN KNOWS THIS AND BELIEVES IT, TOO.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT KNOWS THIS IS TRUE AND BELIEVES IN IT COMPLETELY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer BELIEF -- Number P686.1.30 SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE WAS A GUY WHO USED TO BEAT UP HIS WIFE ALL OF THE TIME.
WHEN HE DIED, SHE HAD NIGHTMARES THAT HE CAME BACK TO HER. AFTER
TWO NIGHTS OF DREAMS LIKE THIS, SHE WENT TO HER PRIEST AND TOLD HIM
ABOUT THE DREAMS. THE PRIEST DIDN'T BELIEVE HER. SHE TOLD HIM THAT
HER HUSBAND KEPT SAYING, "I WANT TO TALK TO YOU," AND HIS FACE HAD
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FLAMES. SO THE PRIEST GAVE HER SOME PAPER AND
TOLD HER TO PUT IT ON THE DESK. THEN NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND
APPEARED SHE SHOULD TELL HIM TO WRITE ON THE PAPER WHAT HE WANTED
TO TELL HER. SO NEXT TIME HER HUSBAND CAME, SHE TOLD HIM TO WRITE
HIS MESSAGE DOWN. HE TRIED TO WRITE IT DOWN AND THE PAPER BURNED
UP BECAUSE HIS ARMS WERE SURROUNDED BY FLAMES, TOO. IT WAS USELESS.
SO YOU KNOW WHERE HE WAS FROM. HE WAS CONDEMNED. EVERYONE IN TOWN
KNEW THIS STORY. IT HAPPENED IN SAN PANCHO, IN MEXICO.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A STORY WHICH WAS TOLD AS IF IT WERE TRUE, AND NOT JUST A
LEGEND.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): HELL ; NIGHTMARE
| Subject headings: | Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Body part Senses Upper body, arms, neck Q522 Q522.13 |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
THERE WERE 12 NUNS IN A CONVENT WHO MADE A VOW SAYING THAT AFTER THEY
DIED THEY WANTED TO HAVE A ROSARY WITH ONE LIVE PERSON FOR SO MANY
DAYS AND IF THE PERSON STAYED WITH THEM FOR TEN DAYS, THEY WOULD GIVE
THE PERSON THEIR CONVENT. A LADY WENT DOWN THERE NOT KNOWING THE
STORY AND ASKED AN INNKEEPER IF THERE WERE ANY MOTEL ROOMS SHE COULD
STAY IN. HE TOLD HER SHE COULD STAY IN THE CONVENT. SO SHE
STAYED THERE BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT IT WAS DESERTED. THEN THE 12 NUNS
ALL HOLDING CANDLES, WALKED BY HER AND INTO THE CHURCH. SHE
FOLLOWED THEM IN AND WATCHED THEM SAYING THE ROSARY, WITH ONE OF
THEM SAYING IT AND EVERYONE ELSE ANSWERING IT. THIS HAPPENED FOR TEN
DAYS AND EVERYDAY THE NUNS WOULD DISAPPEAR AS SOON AS THE ROSARY WAS
DONE. ON THE FINAL DAY, AS THE NUNS WERE WALKING OUT, ONE OF THEM
HANDED A NOTE TO THE WOMAN. THE NOTE THANKED HER FOR HELPING THEM
FULFILL THEIR VOW. THEN IT SAID THAT THEY GAVE THE CONVENT TO HER.
THIS IS A TRUE STORY. EVERYONE KNEW ABOUT IT AND KNEW IT WAS
TRUE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE 40'S IN MEXICO. THE WOMAN WENT BACK TO
THE INNKEEPER AFTER THIS WAS OVER AND ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. SO THEN HE
TOLD HER ABOUT THE NUNS, VOW.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT HAD SEVERAL STORIES WHICH WERE BASED IN MEXICO.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): NUMBERS
| Subject headings: | 686 First / Once / One / Newness 686 Seconds / Twice / Two PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
LEGEND
IF YOU NEED MONEY, ONE WAY TO GET IT IS TO WRITE A LETTER TO A DEAD
RELATIVE. ADDRESS THE ENVELOPE AND STAMP IT JUST LIKE YOU WERE
MAILING THE LETTER. THEN PUT IT ON TOP OF A GLASS OF WATER AND
PLACE THEM UNDER YOUR BED. WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN IS THAT THE
RELATIVE WILL COME BACK TO YOU AND TELL YOU THE NUMBERS FOR THE
NUMBERS RACKET THE NEXT DAY. SO A LADY DID THIS, SHE WROTE TO HER
DEAD BABY SISTER AND PUT THE LETTER ON A GLASS OF WATER UNDER HER
BED. SHE WOKE UP DURING THE NIGHT WHEN SHE FELT SOMEONE GETTING
INTO BED WITH HER. SHE LOOKED AND IT WAS THE BODY OF AN ADULT WITH
THE HEAD OF HER BABY SISTER. SHE RAN OUT OF THE HOUSE AND RAN
DOWN THE STREET SCREAMING. AND SHE'S BEEN CRAZY EVER SINCE.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY INFORMANT LEARNED THIS STORY, THE PERSON WHO TOLD IT TO HER
WARNED HER TO BE SURE NOT TO TRY IT. SHE THINKS IT,S A SILLY STORY,
BUT SHE WON'T TRY TO DISPROVE IT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS
James Callow Keyword(s): DECAPITATION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Physically handicapped Deformed CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Number BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance |
Date learned: 11-00-1975
SUPERSTITIONS SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
NO GRAVES ARE DUG OR FIELDS PLOWED ON GOOD FRIDAY. THERE IS SOME
TABOO AGAINST THE USE OF IRON ON THIS DAY.
Data entry tech comment:
THE TABOO AGAINST THE USE OF IRON STEMS FROM THE FACT THAT NAILS WERE
USED TO CRUCIFY CHRIST.
Where learned: RESIDENCE
Keyword(s): IRON ; WORK TABOO
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Typical Elements of a Festive Pattern |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
SOME CATHOLIC FAMILIES, MAINLY THOSE OF EASTERN-EUROPEAN BACKGROUNDS,
COVER THE FAMILY CRUCIFIX WITH A BLACK CLOTH ON GOOD FRIDAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: 11-21-1971
GOOD FRIDAY
IN ST. CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS, GOOD FRIDAY IS OBSERVED IN THE
STRICTEST MANNER. EVERYONE WEARS BLACK ALL DAYS ( DAY ) AND ACTS AS
IF A VERY CLOSE RELATIVE HAS JUST DIED. THEY ARE VERY RELIGIOUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Sign Color |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
GOOD FRIDAY IN YUGOSLAVIA
GOOD FRIDAY IN YUGOSLAVIA IS CELEBRATED MORE THAN EASTER. EVERYONE
GOES TO THE CEMETERY AND PUTS FLOWERS ON THE GRAVES. EVERYONE IS IN
COMPLETE SILENCE ALL DAY LONG. THEY MORN ( MOURN ) FOR THE SOULS
OF THE DEPARTED. THERE IS NO MUSIC, NO SINGING, AND THE BELLS DO
NOT RING BUT INSTEAD THEY HIT WOOD TO TAKE THE PLACE OF THE BELLS.
Submitter comment: TRADITION IN YUGOSLAVIA
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 663 Good Friday CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 09-17-1967
BURIAL CUSTOM
IN THE EVENT OF DEATH, THE POLISH VILLAGERS PLACE DRIED HERBS
(BLESSED ON ASCENSION THURSDAY) UNDERNEATH THE LINEN LINING OF THE
CASKET. THIS SERVES AS A PILLOW UNDER THE DECEASED PERSON'S HEAD.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Ascension Day CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: 02-07-1971
PENTECOST SUNDAY
ON PENTECOST SUNDAY THE UKRANIANS CELEBRATE SPECIAL SERVICES FOR
THE DEAD, CALLED "PARASTAS" AT EACH GRAVE, WHICH HAS BEEN
SPECIALLY DECORATED WITH FLOWERS AND WREATHS.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector are the same person.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Pentecost |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
ITALIAN-AMERICAN COOKING
IF SOMEONE DIED, EVERYONE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY GET TOGETHER AND MAKE
THE FAMILY ENOUGH FOOD SUCH THAT THEY WOULD NOT NEED TO COOK FOR
ABOUT THREE WEEKS (AND IT WAS GOOD FOOD, TOO).
Submitter comment: REALLY ENJOYS TALKING ABOUT ITALIAN COOKING.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1976
MY BROTHER PETE WAS GIVEN A PROPER IRISH WAKE. AFTER THE DOCTOR HAD
CLEANED HIM UP A BIT, MOTHER WASHED AND DRESSED HIM. HE WAS THEN
TAKEN TO THE UNDERTAKER, UNDRESSED, EMBALMED, REDRESSED, AND BROUGHT
HOME TO US. THE LIVING ROOM WAS DARKENED AND DRAPED IN BLACK.
TAPERS BURNED AROUND THE COFFIN ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. ONE OF US
KEPT THE DEATHWATCH, SAYING THE ROSARY OVER AND OVER. NEIGHBORS CAME
TO BRING FOOD AND PRAY OVER HIM.
THE WHOLE TOWN CROWDED INTO AND AROUND OUR HOUSE FOR THE RECITATION
OF THE ROSARY FOR MY POOR DEAD BROTHER. ON THE THIRD DAY AFTER HIS
DEATH, SIX OF PETES BEST FRIENDS CARRIED HIM ON THEIR SHOULDERS TO
TH MISSION CHURCH.
JUST BEFORE PETE WAS SEALED INTO HIS COFFIN, WE WERE ALL FORCED
TO KISS HIM GOODBYE. HE WAS COLD AND HARD. THEN EACH OF US THREW A
SHOVELFUL OF DIRT OVER THE BOX IN THE GRAVE.
Where learned: MISSOURI ; SAINT JOSEPH
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Prayer SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 10-05-1976