Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for FAMILY returned 79 results.
EASTER
ON EASTER MORNING, THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD TAKES ONE COLORED
EASTER EGG AND PEELS IT. HE DIVIDES IT EVENLY FOR AS MANY PEOPLE
LIVING IN HIS HOME AND AFTER RECITING A PRAYER IN SLOVAK, GIVES
EACH PERSON IN HIS HOME A PIECE OF THE EGG. IT SYMBOLIZES
TOGETHERNESS IN THE FAMILY AND THAT GOD WILLING, ALL IN THE FAMILY
WILL LIVE UNTIL NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
EASTER CUSTOM
A TRADITION WE WOULD TAKE PART IN AT EASTER WAS THAT THE HEAD OF THE
FAMILY WOULD CUT A BLESSED EGG APART INTO AS MANY PIECES AS MEMBERS
OF HIS FAMILY. EACH WOULD TAKE A PIECE AND WOULD WISH THE BEST AND
FINEST HE COULD THINK OF TO THE REST OF THE FAMILY.
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter eggs CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting Easter Sunday |
Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
EASTER-TOAST
THE FIRST FOOD EATEN ON EASTER MORNING IS A PIECE OF HARD-BOILED
EGG THAT WAS BLEST ON HOLY SATURDAY. IT IS USED IN
GIVING A TOAST OF HAPPY EASTER TO THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
Date learned: 03-10-1970
EASTER CUSTOM (POLISH)
( THE ) WHOLE FAMILY MUST EAT PIECES OF A BLESSED EGG TOGETHER
BEFORE THEY EAT EASTER DINNER. THE SYMBOLISM IS A
CORRELATION BETWEEN CHRIST COMING OUT OF THE TOMB WITH NO HELP AND
THE EGG COMING OUT OF THE HEN WITH NO HELP.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROSEVILLE
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 09-00-1969
EASTER CUSTOM
AT THE BEGINNING OF BREAKFAST THE FATHER SHARES FOOD WITH THE REST OF
THE FAMILY. HE SLICES UP BLESSED BREAD, EGGS AND KIELBASA AND GIVES
A SMALL PIECE TO EVERYONE. THIS FOOD MUST BE EATEN BEFORE ADDITIONAL
FOOD IS TAKEN.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 11-29-1970
EASTER DAY
THE FOOD THAT WAS BLESSED ON SATURDAY MUST BE EATEN FOR BREAKFAST.
IT MUST INCLUDE HORSERADISH TO REPRESENT THE BURNING LIQUID GIVEN
CHRIST WHILE HE HUNG ON THE CROSS. THE REMAINING FOOD SHOULD BE
SHARED WITH THE DAY'S VISITORS SO THAT IT IS FINISHED ON SUNDAY.
Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE
Keyword(s): CHARITY, HOSPITALITY ; FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA ; SYMBOL
EASTER MORNING RITUAL (OR CUSTOM)
ON EASTER MORNING, AFTER RESURRECTION MASS, THE FAMILY WOULD ALL
GATHER FOR BREAKFAST, MADE UP OF THE THINGS FOUND IN THE SWIECONKA
(EASTER BASKET BLESSED AT CHURCH ON HOLY SATURDAY).
MY FATHER WOULD TAKE ONE OF THE BOILED, PEELED EGGS (BLESSED) AND CUT
IT INTO FIVE PIECES--ONE FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY. THEN HE
WOULD TAKE A PIECE OF RAW HORSERADISH (SCRAPED CLEAN THE PREVIOUS
DAY) AND GIVE EACH OF US A PIECE OF IT. A LOAF OF RYE BREAD WAS CUT
AND DISTRIBUTED TO EACH OF US (IT WAS A TINY LOAF, MADE ESPECIALLY
FOR THE EASTER BASKET), AS WAS THE KIELBASA, BUTTER AND COFFEE CAKE.
AFTER EACH OF US HAD AT LEAST A TINY PIECE OF EACH OF THE ABOVE, WE
WERE ALLOWED TO HAVE LARGER PORTIONS OF THE NON-BLESSED FOOD.
HOWEVER, ONE OF THE RITUALS THAT MY DAD WOULD GO THROUGH WAS TAKING
A WHOLE, BLESSED EGG (BOILED AND PEELED) AND RUBBING IT ON HIS JAW,
FROM LEFT EAR TO HIS CHIN THEN TO THE RIGHT EAR, THEN BACK AGAIN TO
THE LEFT. THIS, HE TOLD US, WOULD WARD OFF TOOTHACHES.
Submitter comment:
AS FAR AS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE, MY FATHER GOT THIS CUSTOM
FROM HIS PARENTS WHO WERE BORN AND RAISED IN POLAND. MY FATHER CAME
TO AMERICA IN 1914, AT THE AGE OF !7.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM ; SWIECZONKA
Date learned: 04-00-1965
EASTER EGG TRADITION
THERE IS A CUSTOM WITH THE POLISH PEOPLE OF PASSING AROUND THE
DINNER TABLE ONE BLESSED HARD-BOILED EASTER EGG. THE OLDEST MALE
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BEGINS TO BREAK THE SLICES OF THE EGG WITH
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY. USUALLY A WISH IS MADE BETWEEN THE
TWO AND THEN SEALED WITH A KISS. HOWEVER, IF THE EGG DROPS, ONE OF
THE TWO WILL NOT LIVE TO SEE THE NEXT EASTER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; informant's home
Keyword(s): FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD CUSTOM
Date learned: 03-27-1970
RUSSIAN RIDDLE
WHAT TWO BROTHERS LIVE ACROSS A
BRIDGE FROM EACH OTHER BUT NEVER MEET?
TWO EYES.
Where learned: RUSSIA ; MOSCOW
Keyword(s): BODY PARTS ; FAMILY METAPHOR
| Subject headings: | RIDDLE -- True Riddle |
Date learned: 00-00-1905
MARRIAGE CUSTOM IN LEBANON
THE OLDEST GIRL GENERALLY GETS MARRIED FIRST. IF THE OLDEST GIRL
DOES NOT GET MARRIED FIRST, PEOPLE THINK THAT THERE IS SOMETHING
WRONG WITH HER. THE YOUNGER SISTERS THEN MUST WAIT FOR THE OLDEST TO
GET MARRIED. THIS CUSTOM IS BEGINNING TO BE LOST AND PUT ASIDE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MARYGROVE COLLEGE ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRONOLOGY OF MARRIAGE WITHIN FAMILY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability |
Date learned: 00001968 FALL
MARRIAGE CUSTOMS:
WHEN IT COMES TO MARRIAGE THE GREEKS FEEL THE OLDEST GIRL SHOULD BE
MARRIED FIRST AND THE REST FOLLOW IN SUCCESSION.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): CHRONOLOGY OF MARRIAGE WITHIN FAMILY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Signs of availability |
Date learned: 11-14-1969
VERSE
WANT A PENNY?
GO ASK AUNT GENNY.
Data entry tech comment: COLLECTOR'S SPELLING CONNECTED BY KEYPUNCHER.
Where learned: PARENTS
Keyword(s): FAMILY ; FEMININE RHYME ; QUESTION AND ANSWER STRUCTURE ; RHYME: AA
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: 00-00-1955
RIME
MOTHER MAY I GO OUT TO SWIM?
YES, MY DARLING DAUGHTER.
HANG YOUR CLOTHES ON A HICKORY LIMB
BUT DON'T GO NEAR THE WATER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
Keyword(s): COMMAND ; DIALOGUE ; FAMILY ; FEMININE RHYME ; RHYME: ABAB
| Subject headings: | 730 Lyrical Verse |
CHILD RHYME
JOHNNY MORGAN PLAYED THE ORGAN,
JIMMY PLAYED THE DRUM,
HIS SISTER PLAYED THE TAMBOURINE
TILL FATHER SMACKED HER BUM.
Where learned: ONTARIO ; OAKVILLE
Keyword(s): FAMILY MEMBER CHAIN ; MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS ; RHYME: ABCB ; SLANG FOR BUTTOCKS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Lyrical Verse Lyrical Verse |
Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR
CUSTOM-POLISH
THE CHRISTMAS EVE CEREMONY IS CALLED VIGELIA. IT BEGINS WHEN THE
FATHER OF THE HOUSE SEES THE FIRST STAR IN THE SKY. THEN THE FAMILY
SITS DOWN FOR DINNER. THE TABLE IS SET FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY--
BROTHERS, SISTERS, IN-LAWS, NIECES, NEPHEWS, ETC.,--WITH ONE
EXTRA PLACE IN CASE COMPANY SHOULD COME. UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH ARE
LITTLE PIECES OF STRAW TO SYMBOLIZE THE MANGER. THERE IS FASTING
ON THIS DAY--NO MEAT. THE DINNER CONSISTS OF 12 DIFFERENT
FOODS, SYMBOLIZING THE 12 APOSTLES--SUCH AS WINE, MUSHROOM SOUP,
HERRING, PEROGIA (A DOUGH AND CHEES DISH), BOILED PERCH, BOILED
POTATOES AND MASHED POTATOES, AND RELISHES. THERE IS ALSO A
LARGE HOST CALLED OPTATKE. THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER BREAK OFF A
PIECE OF THE HOST AND WISH EACH OTHER HEALTH AND HAPPINESS. THEY
THEN GO TO THE OLDEST SON AND HE TAKES A PIECE OFF THE HOST AND
A PIECE FROM BOTH THE MOTHER'S AND THE FATHER'S AND WISHES THEM
HEALTH AND HAPPINESS AND THIS IS PASSED THROUGH THE FAMILY LIKE THIS.
IT IS TO SYMBOLIZE UNITY. THEN TRADITIONAL POLISH CAROLES ARE
SUNG.
Submitter comment:
(STILL DONE IN AMERICA?) YES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FAMILY UNITY ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegetarian ; VIGELIA
Date learned: 11-04-1968
Entry filtered.
Mother, Mother, may I go
Down to the corner to meet my beau?
No, my daughter you can't go
Down to the corner to meet your beau.
Father, Father, may I go
Down to the corner to meet my beau?
Yes, my daughter you can go
Down to the corner to meet your beau.
Tell your mother to hold her tongue.
She had a beau when she was young.
Submitter comment:
This is a tune for the piano that was taught to my mother by
her mother when she was ten years old.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
James Callow Keyword(s): Family relations
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Good humor Jest Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Children |
Date learned: 00-00-1927
My sister and I went to a youth rally when we were in high
school. At the rally we were taught that to grow psychologically
a person needs eight hugs a day plus many other facts that I now
cannot recall. When we came home our parents asked us at the
dinner table what we had learned; we told them about the eight hugs
needed to grow. My dad told us that he could do better than that,
so he has given us twelve hugs plus three for good luck. My
parents live up north and we often communicate by phone or by
letter; on the phone we count to twelve, then to three to give our
hugs to each other. In written communication, we write 12+3 to
give our hugs. This is a tradition that our whole family now
practices to give each other hugs and emotional support.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; HOUGHTON LAKE
Keyword(s): Family folklore
| Subject headings: | 686 Seconds / Twice / Two 686 Thirds / Thrice / Three / Triple 686 Eighths / Eight Favorites BELIEF -- Good luck SPEECH -- Gesture SPEECH -- To Be Seen |
Grandma and Grandpa's Wedding
It all started when my grandma, then Genevieve Witkowski,
asked my great-grandpa for an orange pop. My grandpa, Steve
Jekielek, overheard and decided to bring her the pop himself. That
began a happily-ever-after that culminated in a wartime wedding.
Weddings were hard to arrange during the war because of
rationing and restrictions. However, everyone chipped in to help
by sharing their ration stamps so their food could be used for the
reception. My great-grandpa went up north to get chickens. Others
stood in lines every day to get liquor allotments.
In the end, on May 8, 1943, the group effort resulted in a
Cinderella wedding with everyone enjoying the ball. It meant more,
because it took more.
Forty-nine years, five kids, and 17 grandchildren later, they
have managed to pass down the values that made their wedding and
their lives a success. They have taught two generations that
sharing, caring and chipping in is what makes life worthwhile, and
that even when chicken is sparse, it sure tastes better when it's
shared. And perhaps, even most unique of all, after 48 years, my
grandpa still brings her orange pop.
Submitter comment:
This wedding story is very special in our family; next year,
the year of my grandparents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, and my
parents' twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, I will be married so as
to continue this tradition.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
James Callow Keyword(s): Family values
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Human Being |
Date learned: 00001970S
SAVERS AND SPENDERS
TWIXT THE CRADLE AND THE GRAVE
FRUGAL FATHERS SAVE AND SAVE
SO THAT WHEN THEIR LIVES ARE DONE
FOOLISH CHILDREN CAN HAVE FUN.
Submitter comment: CHILDHOOD
Keyword(s): FAMILY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Proverb Proverb |