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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

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WHO SHALL I MARRY

THE FOLLOWING BIRDS, IF SEEN ON ST. VALENTINE'S DAY, INDICATE
FUTURE HUSBAND (:) A BLACKBIRD - A MAN OF ( THE ) CLERGY,
A GOLDFINCH - A MILLIONAIRE, A BLUE BIRD - POVERTY, A WRYNECK -
NO MARRIAGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February 14 Valentine's Day
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Marriage

Date learned: 10-27-1968

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PREDICTION

A BIRD SITTING ON THE WINDOW SILL MEANS YOU WILL HEAR OF A DEATH.

Where learned: VERMONT ; VERGENNES

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

Date learned: 03-00-1971

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RAVENS

LONDONERS BELIEVE THAT WHEN ALL RAVENS LEAVE THEIR CITY DISASTER WILL
FOLLOW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: 11-00-1971

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AN OWL

IF YOU HEAR A HOOT-OWL HOLLER AFTER SIX O'CLOCK, SOME BODY IN YOUR
FAMILY WILL GET SICK OR DIE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: 01-17-1972

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IF YOU HEAR A HEN CROW LIKE A ROOSTER, BE SURE TO KILL HER THE
SAME DAY.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; ROCHESTER

Keyword(s): HEN ROOSTER CROWING

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Mammal
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Animal Husbandry Farming Ranching

Date learned: 03-11-1972

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BIRD IN THE WINDOW

IF THERE HAPPENS TO BE AN OPEN WINDOW IN THE HOUSE
AND A BIRD FLIES IN THE HOUSE, THERE IS SURE
TO BE A DEATH IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS AN OLD
POLISH TRADITION. AT ANY RATE, HER POLISH
MOTHER INFORMED HER OF THE BELIEF.

Where learned: NOT GIVEN

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial

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OWLS

IF YOU SEE OR HEAR AN OWL IT IS
AN OMEN OF GOOD LUCK.

Submitter comment: FROM BOOK.

Where learned: HOME

Subject headings: Observation
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: 10-30-1967

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WHEN YOU COMB YOUR HAIR AND HAIR IS LEFT IN THE COMB
YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BURN THE HAIR
BECAUSE IF YOU THROW IT AWAY THE BIRDS WILL GET IT
AND YOU WILL GO BALD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness

Date learned: 12-01-1971

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BELIEF PERTAINING TO MENTAL ILLNESS

NEVER THROW YOUR HAIR OUT OF DOORS
BECAUSE IF YOU DO A BIRD MIGHT GET SOME OF IT
AND MAKE A NEST OUT OF IT.
IF THIS HAPPENS YOU WILL GO CRAZY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; CHILDRENS HOSPITAL

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hair, on head, mustache, widow's peak
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: 02-19-1970

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GOOD LUCK GESTURE

WHEN YOU SEE YOUR FIRST ROBIN OF THE SEASON LICK YOUR THUMB,
TOUCH IT TO YOUR PALM OF YOUR HAND, AND THEN POUND THAT PALM
WITH YOUR FIST FOR GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Measure of time Season
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Good luck
SPEECH -- Gesture

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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NEW YEARS SUPERSTITION

HAVING ANY FORM OF FOWLIN THE HOUSE ON NEW YEARS DAY WILL CAUSE ALL
LUCK FOR THE YEAR TO FLY OUT THE HOUSE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
Food Drink -- Meat Bird Poultry
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Conversions

Date learned: 09-23-1969

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BELIEF

STORKS CARRY BABIES TO THEIR PARENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Birth

Date learned: 10-01-1968

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FREDERICH THE GREAT

FREDERICH THE GREAT IS BELIEVED TO BE BURIED IN A MOUNTAIN IN
GERMANY, GUARDED BY RAVENS. IF GREAT NATIONAL TROUBLE ARISES, THE
RAVENS WILL WAKE HIM UP AND HE WILL SAVE GERMANY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): FREDERICK ; Germany ; Guard ; MOUNTAIN ; Ravens

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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THE ETERNAL WATCH

EMPEROR FREDERICK BARBARROSSA'S SPIRIT KEEPS WATCH OVER THE
GERMAN PEOPLE FROM HIS SUPPOSED RESTING PLACE AT THE
KHYFFAUSER CASTLE IN THURINGIA. A FLOCK OF RAVENS KEEP A
CONSTANT VIGIL OVER HIS GRAVE. WHEN THEY ARE GONE, THIS MEANS
THAT BARBARROSSA'S SPIRIT HAS LEFT THE GRAVE, AND IS ROAMING
GERMANY TRYING TO LEAD HER IN TIMES OF PERIL. IT IS SAID
THAT THE RAVENS WERE GONE DURING THE TIME OF THE "WELT DRIEGS."
THIS MEANS THAT THE "HEMICHEKAISER" WAS GONE FROM HIS TOMB.

Submitter comment:

MR. STOERKEL IS GERMAN AND THE SOURCES ARE TRADITIONAL TRANSMISSION.

Data entry tech comment:

SPELLING CORRECTED BY KEYPUNCHER

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens

Keyword(s): Castle ; Germany ; GHOST ; Legend ; SPIRIT ; Tomb

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Secular hero
BELIEF -- Bird

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ONE CAN TELL IF YOU HAVE TRULY KILLED A WITCH IF A CROW CROWS.
IF YOU DID NOT HEAR THE CROW IT WAS A SIGN THAT THE WITCH HAD TAKEN
OVER A NEW BORN BABY'S SOUL.

Where learned: TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Witch Shaman
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: 03-20-1970

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BARN STORM PROTECTION BELIEF

IT IS AN OLD BELIEF AMONG FARMERS THAT IT IS BENEFICIAL
TO LET BARN SWALLOWS BUILD NESTS IN YOUR BARN,
BECAUSE LIGHTNING WILL NEVER STRIKE A BARN WHERE BARN SWALLOWS
LIVE.

Where learned: OHIO ; AMHERST ; collector's home

Subject headings: BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Lightning Thunder
BELIEF -- Weather sign or control P890.7

Date learned: 07-00-1962

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HEADACHE

IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE, IT MEANS THAT BIRDS ARE EATING HAIRS
WHICH HAVE FALLEN OUT.
YOU SHOULD DISPOSE OF IT IN THE TOILET OR OTHERWISE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Keyword(s): CAUSE ; PREVENTION

Subject headings: Favorites
BELIEF -- Body part Senses
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Means of Causing or Avoiding Illness
BELIEF -- Method of Curing

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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Food - Fixed Date

EAT ANYTHING THAT ROOTS (DIGS THEIR WAY INTO THE GROUND) LIKE
PIGS, ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, OR AS THE FIRST MEAL OF THE NEW YEAR.
NEVER EAT ANYTHING THAT SWIMS OR FLIES OR YOUR MONEY WILL DO THE
SAME. EAT NO FOWL OF ANY KIND.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is grandmother of collector.

Where learned: informant's home

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F123
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Bird
BELIEF -- Fish

Date learned: 11-10-1970

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NEW YEAR'S DAY

IF YOU EAT CHICKEN ON NEW YEAR'S YOU WILL SCRATCH YOUR WAY THROUGH
THE YEAR. IF YOU EAT PORK YOU WILL BE PIGGY AND GRAB EVERYTHING.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT BELIEVES THIS AND CHICKEN IS NEVER SERVED ON NEW
YEAR'S IN HER HOUSE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname and place of residence.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; informant's home

Subject headings: 870
Favorites
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Fixed DateFor specific dates, use the following system: F640.0101
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
Food Drink -- Typical menus for the various meals For meal hours, see F574.84. Special or festive meals
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: 01-23-1971

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NEW YEAR'S CUSTOM

YOU SHOULD NEVER EAT CHICKEN ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE THE CHICKEN
SCRATCHES DIRT BACKWARDS WHEN IT WALKS. ON NEW YEAR'S YOU SHOULD
BE LOOKING FORWARD NOT BACKWARD.

Submitter comment: JOFRAN LEARNED THIS FROM HER FATHER.
HOMEOPATHIC

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; CAMPUS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's
BELIEF -- Bird

Date learned: CA00001968

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