Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for DEATH returned 183 results.
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)
BIRTH BELIEF ABOUT A GHOST OR SPIRIT
THE MOTHER WHO DIES IN CHILDBIRTH WILL TRY AND COME BACK
FROM THE GRAVE TO NURSE THE BABY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BABY ; BIRTH ; Breastfeeding ; CHILDBIRTH ; DEATH ; GHOST ; Haunt ; MOTHER ; Nurse ; Nursing ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P429, |
Date learned: 02-19-1972
WHEN SOMEONE EVIL DIED THEIR GHOST WOULD BE HAUNTING ALL AROUND,
RUNNING AROUND SCARING PEOPLE, AND CHOKING PEOPLE TO DEATH.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT DOES NOT BELIEVE THIS. SHE SAID IT WAS ONE OF THOSE
WIDE-SPREAD COUNTRY TALES SHE HEARD WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH ; EVIL ; GHOST ; Haunt ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-04-1972
SPANISH BELIEF ABOUT DECEASED
WHEN A PERSON DIES HIS SPIRIT WALKS THE EARTH FOR NINE DAYS AND
STAYS WITH HIS LOVED ONES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; Haunt ; Spanish ; SPIRIT
| Subject headings: | 686 Ninths / Nine BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 02-22-1972
BRUISES
IF YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AND YOU ARE ALL COVERED WITH
BRUISES, IT MEANS A DEAD PERSON HAS TOUCHED YOU IN THE NIGHT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Bruises ; Dead ; DEATH ; GHOST ; SLEEP ; Sleeping ; Touch
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-31-1968
COACH SHADA
AT ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL IN FERNDALE A
PORTRAIT OF THE LATE COACH JOHN SHADA, WHO PUT THE SCHOOL IN THE
TOP OF ITS DIVISION FOR MANY YEARS, IS ACROSS FROM THE TROPHY
CASE. THE PASTOR TELLS PEOPLE IT IS THERE "SO JOHN CAN
WATCH HIS TROPHIES."
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; FERNDALE ; Schusterbaurr
Keyword(s): Coach ; DEATH ; Legend ; Trophy
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
MOVIE STAR LEGEND
THIS IS A LEGEND ABOUT MOVIE STARS.
WHEN A FAMOUS MOVIE STAR DIES, TWO MORE WILL DIE IN A SHORT
WHILE. A MOVIE STAR DOESN'T DIE ALONE, BUT ALWAYS DIES IN THREE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH ; Hollywood ; MOVIE STAR ; THREE ; Triple
| Subject headings: | 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple BELIEF -- Secular hero |
Date learned: CHILDHOOD
ELECTROCUTIONS
IT IS A COMMON BELIEF, REINFORCED BY MOVIES AND TELEVISION
SHOWS, THAT THE LIGHTS IN A PENITENTIARY DIM WHEN A CONVICT
IS ELECTROCUTED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH ; Death Row ; Dim ; Electricity ; ELECTROCUTION ; JAIL ; Lethal ; Lights ; Penitentiary ; PRISON
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Outlaw Criminal Bandit Pirate |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SPIRIT MEDIUMS
THERE ARE GOOD AND BAD MEDIUMS. A MEDIUM CAN INVADE THE BODY OF A
MAN NOT YET REALLY DEAD AND PULL THE SPIRIT RIGHT OUT, AND THEN THE
MEDIUM CONTROLS IT. I HAVE SEEN CASKETS BROKEN OPEN INEXPLAINABLY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): Buried Alive ; DEATH ; India ; Medium ; SPIRIT ; Zombie
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Witch Shaman |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
Symbol
THE LILY IS A SIGN OF DEATH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
James Callow comment:
Original BN P680; C346 crossed out. Replaced with current classification.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK
Keyword(s): DEATH ; FLOWER ; Lily ; Portent ; SIGN ; Signifier
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-14-1970
Superstition
IF YOU CUT DOWN A TREE, A MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; FAMILY ; Legend ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
PARSLEY BELIEF
A WOMAN WILL LOSE HER HUSBAND IF SHE TRANSPLANTS
PARSLEY.
Submitter comment:
HER MOTHER BELIEVED THIS, AND ATTRIBUTED THE PREMATURE
DEATHS OF SEVERAL NEIGHBORS TO THEIR WIVES TRANSPLANTING
PARSLEY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; GARDENING ; HUSBAND ; Parsley ; SUPERSTITION ; Transplant ; Wife
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-10-1968
SNEEZE BELIEF
IT IS KNOWN THAT WHEN ONE SNEEZES, YOU ARE SUPPOSED
TO SAY, "GOD BLESS YOU." BECAUSE AT THAT MOMENT THEIR HEART STOPS
AND THEY ARE CLOSEST TO DEATH.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHGATE
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; HEART ; SNEEZE ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 02-00-1972
BELIEF: SUPERSTITION
SNEEZING TWICE IN THE NIGHT FOR THREE SUCCESSIVE NIGHTS WAS A SIGN
OF DEATH IN THE HOUSE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALLEN PARK
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; DEATH ; SNEEZE ; Succession ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: 10-27-1971
STRASBOURG, THE KNOCK, KNOCK STREET
IN DETROIT, IF YOU DRIVE DOWN STRASBOURG STREET, YOUR CAR WILL
KNOCK. THIS IS BECAUSE MANY YEARS AGO, A LITTLE GIRL WAS PLAYING
IN THE STREET WHEN HIT BY A CAR, WHICH DRAGGED HER BODY DOWN THE
STREET WITH HER HEAD KNOCKING AGAINST THE CAR DOOR UNTIL SHE WAS
DEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: NOT RECORDED
Keyword(s): Auto ; DEATH ; Haunting ; Knock ; Legend ; Lore
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Product or activity of man or animal |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
SUPERSTITION
NEVER WAKE A SLEEPWALKER OR HE WILL DIE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF COMMON IN THE OSWALD FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Awaken ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; Die ; Legend ; Lore ; SLEEPWALKER ; SUPERSTITION ; WAKE
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; NEGATIVE
| Subject headings: | Daily Life BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial BELIEF -- Measure of time Sleeping |
Date learned: 09-20-1967
IF YOU RAISE YOUR HANDS TO YOUR PARENTS, WHEN YOU DIE YOUR
HANDS WILL COME OUT OF THE GROUND AND EVERYONE WILL STEP ON
THEM.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Keyword(s): Aggression ; ANGER ; BELIEF ; BURIAL ; DEATH ; Parent ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; THREAT
James Callow Keyword(s): FUNCTION ; PARENTAL RESPECT ; RETRIBUTION
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Body part Senses Hands, palms, fingernails BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank SPEECH -- Gesture |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
PLANT BELIEF
IF A PLANT THAT WAS GIVEN TO YOU BY A FRIEND DIES, THEN
THE FRIENDSHIP DIES, TEND BOTH WELL.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Botany ; DEATH ; fortune ; FRIENDSHIP ; GIFT ; PLANT ; Relationship ; SUPERSTITION ; WISDOM
James Callow Keyword(s): ADVICE ; HOMEOPATHIC ; Positive
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank |
Date learned: 11-19-1971
DEATH
YOU CAN TELL IF SOMEONE IS DEAD BY PUTTING A MIRROR UNDER THEIR NOSE,
AND LOOK FOR MOISTURE DUE TO BREATHING TO SETTLE ON THE MIRROR.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; NORTH QUAD 201
Keyword(s): BREATH ; DEATH ; LIFE ; MEDICAL ; Mirror ; SIGN ; Signal ; TRICK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 11-27-1971
WEDDING DRESS OMEN
A GIRL SHOULD NEVER WEAR A WEDDING DRESS BEFORE HER TIME OR SHE WILL
REMAIN A WIDOW.
Submitter comment:
A BELIEF FROM SABINAS, MEXICO. PROBABLY COMMON IN MANY COUNTRIES. IN
FORMANT EXPRESSED LITTLE BELIEF IN IT HERSELF.
BY WIDOW THE INFORMANT MEANS SPINSTER MAIDEN.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BAD LUCK ; BELIEF ; DEATH ; DRESS ; LUCK ; OMEN ; SUPERSTITION ; WEDDING
| Subject headings: | Observation ART CRAFT ARCHITECTURE -- Dress BELIEF -- Marriage BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-00-1981