Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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NUMBER BELIEF
IF TWO THINGS OF THE SAME THING HAPPEN ON THE SAME DAY,
THEN A THIRD THING WILL HAPPEN. FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU
SEE TWO SETS OF TWINS ON THE SAME DAY THEN YOU WILL
ALSO SEE ANOTHER SET OF TWINS ON THE SAME DAY.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM HER CHILDHOOD YEARS.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation |
Date learned: 02-11-1971
DOG HOWLING IN THE FULL MOON - BELIEF
IT IS SAID THAT IF A DOG HOWLS IN THE LIGHT OF THE
FULL MOON THAT SOMEBODY WILL DIE. AND IT IS VERY LIKELY
THAT THIS WILL COME IN MUTIPLES OF THREE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Observation BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Moon BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
DREAM PREDICTION
IF YOU DREAM SOMETHING THREE
TIMES IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple Spirit / Mind / Body Observation |
BELIEF
SEVEN PEOPLE EATING TOGETHER
BRING GOOD LUCK - IF THIRTEEN
EATING TOGETHER, ONE WILL
DIE BEFORE THE YEAR IS UP.
Where learned: HOME ; LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR ; TOLD AT
Keyword(s): PREDICTION
| Subject headings: | 686 Specific number by specific number being described 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-23-1968
NUMBER SEVEN (COLLECTOR'S TITLE)
THE WOMAN WHOSE PRESENT IS THE SEVENTH ONE OPENED AT A BABY SHOWER
WILL BE THE NEXT PERSON TO HAVE A BABY.
Where learned: TOLD AT HER HOME
| Subject headings: | 686 Seven / Sevenths / Several Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-21-1968
JAPANESE & NUMBER 42
MANY JAPANESE AVIOD ANYTHING THAT
HAS TO DO WITH THE NUMBER 42, SINCE
IT IS AN OMEN OF DEATH.
IN JAPANESE, THE NUMBER 42 AND
DEATH SOUND SIMILAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Number P686.1.42 SPEECH -- Phonology Phonetics |
Date learned: 11-00-1968
BELIEF
AT A BRIDAL SHOWER, THE NUMBER OF TIMES A RIBBON POPS (BREAKS)
MEANS
HOW MANY CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): UNWRAPPING GIFTS DURING BRIDAL SHOWER
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Marriage |
Date learned: 00-00-1971
BELIEF, GHOST OF TECUMSEH ROAD
IN WINDSOR, ONTARIO THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GHOST THAT
ROAMS AROUND TECUMSEH ROAD,
HE IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE NO HEAD, AND CARRIES
A SICKLE FROM WHICH BLOOD IS DRIPPING. ONE WITNESS SAYS THAT
EVERYTIME HE SEES THE GHOST, SOMEONE IN HIS FAMILY (NOT NECESSARILY
IMMEDIATE FAMILY) DIES.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS ON THE RADIO.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Windsor is in Canada
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; LAKEWOOD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CANADA ; GHOST ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-05-1971
SCOTTISH GHOST BELIEF
IF YOU SEE THE BANCHI [BANSHEE] YOU WILL DIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A GHOST IN SCOTLAND THAT IS FEARED BY THE PEOPLE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BANSHEE
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 04-01-1971
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)
BELIEF
WHEN A FRIEND LEAVES, DON'T WATCH HIM GO OUT OF SIGHT
OR YOU WILL NEVER SEE HIM AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
I WAS TOLD THIS WHEN PARTED FROM BOY FRIEND WHO BELIEVED THIS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Departure ; Goodbye ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 04-00-1972
SUPERNATURAL STORY CONCERNING DEATH
MY GREAT-UNCLE, BERT SULLIVAN OF CLINTON, MICHIGAN, ENTERED THE
SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR AT THE AGE OF 18. WHILE IN TENNESSEE,
HE CONTRACTED TYPHOID FEVER; AND THE PARISH PRIEST
FROM CLINTON, FATHER HEIDENRICH, WENT DOWN TO
KNOXVILLE TO VISIT HIM. BERT'S MOTHER, MRS.
JOHN SULLIVAN, AND HER FOUR DAUGHTERS DECIDED TO PRAY FOR THE YOUNG
SOLDIER. SHE WENT INTO THE BEDROOM TO PRAY, WHILE THE FOUR
DAUGHTERS REMAINED IN THE PARLOR. SUDDENLY SHE CAME RUNNING
OUT OF THE
ROOM WTH HER HANDS CLAPPED OVER HER EARS. "WHAT WAS THAT
HORRIBLE BOOM?" SHE CRIED. THE DAUGHTERS REPLIED THAT THEY HAD
HEARD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WHEN FATHER HEIDENRICH RETURNED, HE
BROUGHT THE SAD NEWS THAT BERT HAD DIED--AT THE EXACT TIME THAT
HIS MOTHER HAD HEARD THE DEAFENING SOUND.
Submitter comment:
THIS STORY IS WELL KNOWN BY MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY. MY MOTHER
TOLD IT TO ME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WYANDOTTE
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 10-00-1963
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU MOVE INTO A BRAND NEW HOUSE, THERE WILL BE A DRASTIC CHANGE
IN THE FAMILY (BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): OMEN ASSOCIATED WITH NEWNESS.
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Number |
Date learned: 00-00-1963
OMEN
ANY CAT IS A BAD SIGN TO SEE BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Mammal |
Date learned: 11-27-1971
THE FAIRY OF DEATH
IN IRELAND THE BELIEF IN THE BLACK FAIRY OR THE FAIRY OF DEATH WAS
POPULAR YEARS AGO. IT WAS BELIEVED THAT IF SOMEONE
SAW A LADY COMPLETELY DRESSED IN BLACK THAT IN THREE DAYS
SOMEONE WOULD DIE. THIS BELIEF WAS FULFILLED ONE DAY AS A MAN CAME
RUNNING INTO A SALON EXCLAIMING THAT HE HAD JUST SEEN THE
BLACK FAIRY. THREE DAYS LATER THIS MAN DIED.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MY GRANDFATHER.
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL
Keyword(s): SALOON
| Subject headings: | Observation PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 10-00-1967
FIRST COMPANY
INFORMANT AND HER NEIGHBORS BELIEVE THAT ANY GUESTS ON THE
FIRST DAY OF A NEW YEAR WHO ENTER BY ONE DOOR AND
LEAVE BY ANOTHER WILL FORETELL BY THIS ACTION THAT MANY
GUESTS (MORE THAN USUAL) WILL VISIT THE HOUSE IN THE
ENSUING YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF THESE VISITORS WOULD BE MERELY
ACQUAINTANCES PEOPLE NOT TOO CLOSE TO THE FAMILY. SO THE
HOUSE IS CURSED TO BEING SOMETHING LIKE A TRAIN STATION.
CROWDS OF IMPERSONAL PEOPLE WILL COME AND GO, FEW
BRINGING WITH THEM THE WARMTH OF REAL FRIENDSHIP.
Data entry tech comment:
Informant and collector share same surname and place of residence.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FRASER
NEW YEAR'S DAY
ON NEW YEAR'S EAT GOURMET FOOD.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS EATS FRENCH FOODS ON NEW YEAR'S BECAUSE
THEY FEEL THAT IF THEY EAT WELL ON NEW YEAR'S THEN THEY WILL EAT
WELL ALL THROUGH THE YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GROSSE POINTE WOODS ; informant's home
Keyword(s): BLASON POPULAIRE ; FOOD PREDICTION ; FRENCH FOOD
Date learned: 03-05-1971
NEW YEAR
IF YOU OWE SOMEONE MONEY ONE YEAR AND YOU CARRY THE DEBT
OVER TO THE NEW YEAR, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE SOME TYPE OF FINANCIAL
DIFFICULTIES THE REST OF THE NEW YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WESTLAND ; informant's home
Date learned: 02-08-1970
SUPERSTITION
BURN A BAYBERRY CANDLE ON CHRISTMAS AND IF THE FLAME BURNS BRIGHT
AND THE LIGHT SHINES CLEAR, THEN YOU WILL BE BLESSED ALL YEAR.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; LINCOLNSHIRE
Keyword(s): LUCK
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles |
Date learned: 03-14-1971
MAMMAL
ONLY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT'S BELIEVED THAT THE CATTLE TALK AMONG
THEMSELVES. THEY TLAK OF THE DAY, DURING THE NEW YEAR, WHEN THEY
WILL CART THE CASKET OF ONE OF THE HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS TO THE CEMETARY.
Submitter comment:
OUR FATHER HEARD THIS FROM HIS MOTHER DURING THE EARLY 1900'S. IT
WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN OLD SAYING EVEN THEN. DURING THE 1800'S ONE
MAN DID DIE AND HIS CATTLE TOWED HIS BODY TO THE CEMETARY (THIS
COULD HAVE BEEN THE ORIGIN OF THIS SAYING).
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT HOME
Keyword(s): BELIEF
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Beliefs |
Date learned: 11-14-1971