Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for SUPERSTITION returned 465 results.
GHOST STORY
IN WHISKEY HOLLOW, NEW YORK A CERTAIN MAN WAS ARRESTED AND
PLACED IN THE LOCAL JAIL. (REASON UNKNOWN.) HE WAS LEFT THERE
AND EVERYONE FORGOT ABOUT HIM. HE FINALLY DIED THERE. SOON AFTER
PEOPLE BEGAN TO SEE HIS GHOST CALLING TO BE LET OUT. EVEN TODAY
PARENTS WARN THEIR CHILDREN TO BEWARE THE GHOST OF WHISKEY HOLLOW.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-14-1970
TO KEEP GHOSTS AWAY
TO KEEP YOURSELF FREE FROM GHOSTS PEE IN A CIRCLE AND STAND
IN THE CENTER. THE GHOST WILL NOT COME INSIDE THE CIRCLE
AFTER YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; SUPERSTITION ; SYMBOL ; URINATE ; Ward
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
PIPAL TREE
THE PIPAL TREE IS A TREE FOUND IN INDIA WHICH THE PEOPLE BELIEVE IS
A TREE INFESTED WITH GHOSTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; GHOST ; GHOSTS ; India ; Pipal ; SUPERSTITION ; Tree
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Plant |
Date learned: 03-05-1971
SUPERSTITION
IF YOU BURY A PERSON WITHOUT SHOES, THEY WILL COME BACK AND
HAUNT YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES
Keyword(s): Barefoot ; BELIEF ; Bury ; DEATH ; SHOES ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 02-27-1971
WHAT IS A POLTERGEIST?
A POLTERGEIST IS A GHOST WHO WATCHES OVER A PERSON, SIMILAR
TO A GUARDIAN ANGEL. HE IS A VERY HAPPY AND FRIENDLY GHOST ACCORDING
TO AUSTRIAN LEGEND.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Haunt ; POLTERGEIST ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
GHOSTS
THE GHOSTS THAT DO THE MOST HARM ARE THOSE OF MURDERED PEOPLE.
THEY WANDER ABOUT UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN AVENGED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): DEATH ; GHOST ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-21-1968
GHOST LEGEND
THERE PERSISTS A LEGEND IN MACEDONIA, THAT IF A
DECEASED WILL APPEAR TO SOME MEMBER OF THE FAMILY.
PERSON DIES THEN WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE DEATH THE GHOST OF THE
Submitter comment:
JAMES LEARNED THIS FROM HIS PARENTS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Legend ; Lore ; Macedonia ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-10-1967
LEGEND OF SEAWEED SALLY AT CAMP BIG SILVER
BOY'S CLUB SUMMER CAMP AT PINCKNEY, MICHIGAN
HAD IT THAT ACROSS THE LAKE
LIVED SEAWEED SALLY, A GHOST. THE BOYS WERE WARNED TO WATCH FOR
HER BECAUSE SHE WANTED TO KIDNAP LITTLE BOYS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Keyword(s): camp ; GHOST ; Haunt ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
LEGEND
EVERY HALLOWEEN NIGHT THE HEADLESS HORSEMAN GOES OUT LOOKING
FOR HIS HEAD.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOST ; Headless ; Horseman ; Legend ; Scary ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F103 BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 03-15-1968
PINCH OF THE DEAD
WHEN YOU FIND A BLACK AND BLUE MARK ON YOUR BODY AND
YOU DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT CAME FROM, IT MEANS THAT SOMEONE
WHO IS CLOSE TO YOU, AND THAT DIED, AND THAT NEEDS YOUR PRAYERS
HAS COME BACK AND WANTS TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THIS NEED.
THEREFORE, HE PINCHES YOU AND LEAVES A BLACK AND BLUE MARK AS A
SYMBOL OR SIGN OF HIS NEED.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Dead ; Haunt ; Pinch ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Body part Senses |
Date learned: 03-31-1970
GHOST BELIEF
IN THAILAND EVERYONE IS AFRAID OF GHOSTS, WHEN MY AUNT
WAS THERE SHE HAD A HOUSEKEEPER WHO
WAS VERY AFRAID OF GHOSTS. ONE DAY
SHE CAME HOME AND HER HOUSEKEEPER WASN'T THERE. TWO DAYS LATER SHE
RETURNED. SHE SAID SHE HAD HEARD A GHOST SO SHE LEFT.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT LEARNED ITEM FROM HER AUNT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): GHOSTS ; SUPERSTITION ; THAILAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-08-1965
GHOST IN WHITE
A WOMAN IN WHITE ROAMS THE WOODS OF BELLE ISLE PARK NEAR DOWNTOWN
DETROIT WITH A HOOK-HANDED FRIEND. THIS STORY HAS BEEN AROUND
FOR YEARS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; NEWSPAPER ; DETROIT FREE PRESS
Keyword(s): Belle Isle ; GHOST ; Haunting ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; Undead
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Physically handicapped Deformed |
Date learned: 08-27-1968
HOT STEAM
A "HOT STEAM" IS SOMEBODY WHO CAN'T
GET TO HEAVEN, JUST WALLOWS AROUND
ON LONESOME ROADS AN' IF YOU WALK THROUGH ONE, WHEN YOU DIE YOU'LL
BE ONE TOO AN' YOU'LL GO AROUND AT
NIGHT SUCKING PEOPLE'S BREATH. YOU
CAN'T KEEP FROM PASSING THROUGH ONE. SOMETIMES THEY STRETCH ALL
THE WAY ACROSS THE ROAD, BUT IF YOU HAFTA GO THROUGH ONE YOU SAY:
ANGEL-BRIGHT, LIFE-IN-DEATH; GET
OFF THE ROAD, DON'T SUCK MY BREATH."
THIS KEEPS THEM FROM WRAPPING AROUND YOU.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: ALABAMA ; "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Keyword(s): GHOST ; LITERATURE ; Quote ; Soul ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: UNKNOWN
CEMETERY STATUE
THERE IS A CEMETERY IN WILMERDING, PENNSYLVANIA WITH A SIX
FOOT STATUE OF A GIRL, DRESSED IN A FLOWING ROBE, CARRYING AN ARMFUL
OF SCHOOL BOOKS, PENCIL CASE, ETC.
THE HISTORY OF THE FIGURE IS AS FOLLOWS:
THE GIRL WAS COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL
ONE DAY WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED, RAPED, AND KILLED BY TWO HOODLUMS,
ON THE DAY OF HER BIRTHDAY. HER PARENTS HAD A
STATUE MADE IN HER LIKENESS AT THE TIME SHE WAS KILLED, AND PLACED ON
HER GRAVE, WHICH IS ON A HILL OVERLOOKING
A LARGE PART OF THE CEMETERY.
BECAUSE SHE WAS A VIRGIN AT THE TIME OF DEATH, IT IS BELIEVED THAT
ANYONE GOING INTO THE CEMETERY AT THE DEAD OF NIGHT
AND WHO DARES TO WALK THE
LONELY WALK UP TO THE STATUE, AND TOUCH IT WILL DISCOVER WHETHER OR
NOT THEY ARE A VIRGIN. A VIRGIN WILL
RECEIVE NO HARM FROM THE STATUE,
BUT A NON-VIRGIN WILL RECEIVE A SMALL
CUT AND CONSEQUENTLY BLEED FROM TOUCHING THE GARMENT OF THE
STATUE. IN ADDITION, ON THE EVE OF HER BIRTHDAY, THE
STATUE IS BELIEVED TO COME ALIVE AND WALK THE CEMETERY LOOKING
FOR HER MURDERERS.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MELVINDALE
Keyword(s): CEMETERY ; GHOST ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION ; Urban Legend ; Virgin
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-15-1965
SPIRITS
ALL SOULS WANDER AFTER DEATH, INCLUDING ANIMAL SOULS.
THEY WANDER IF THEY HAD AN UNHAPPY LIFE, OR IF THEY WERE UNSATISFIED
BEFORE THEY DIED. THEY KEEP SEARCHING FOR PEACE.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A BELIEF IN INDIA.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ANN ARBOR
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; India ; Soul ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; Undead
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Animal BELIEF -- Magic of Speech, Sign, Color |
Date learned: 02-04-1968
BELIEF
MERMAIDS CAME TO THE HOMESICK SAILORS DURING LONG AND LONELY VOYAGES.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN HEIGHTS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Mermaids ; Sirens ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-29-1968
BOOGIEMAN BELIEF
WHEN I WAS A KID MY PARENTS USED TO TELL ME THAT OLD UNCLE
GEORGE WAS THIS GHOST THAT LIVED IN THE BASEMENT AND
THAT HE WOULD COME UP AT NIGHT AND EAT ME ALIVE IF I WAS BAD.
(I USED TO HAVE A PICTURE IN MY MIND
OF EXACTLY WHAT UNCLE GEORGE LOOKED
LIKE. HE WAS EXTREMELY OLD AND DUMB, LIKE JETHRO.)
Submitter comment:
JETHRO IS A MUSCLE BOUND HILLBILLY OF A SUCCESSFUL TV SHOW CALLED
THE "BEVERLY HILLBILLIES".
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT
Keyword(s): Boogieman ; CHILDREN ; FUNCTION ; Legend ; Scare ; SUPERSTITION ; Tale ; THREAT
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-02-1970
BANSHE
IN IRELAND, EVERYONE IS AFRAID OF
THE BANSHE. THEY WERE FAIRY WOMEN AND WHEN ANY PERSON WAS NEAR
DEATH OR DYING THE BANSHE CAME AROUND THE HOUSE
CRYING THREE NIGHTS BEFORE THE PERSON DIED.
Data entry tech comment:
BANSHEE IS SPELLED IN GAELIC ON THE ORIGINAL CARD.
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Keyword(s): BANSHEE ; IRELAND ; Legend ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 11-18-1970
THE SPIRIT WATCHES
IN SMALL VILLAGES OF THAILAND, IT IS BELIEVED THAT THE SPIRIT
OF SOME NATIVE OF THAT TOWN WHO HAD DIED LONG AGO STILL WATCHES OVER
THE TOWN, PROTECTING IT FROM EVIL. THE SPIRIT OF THIS PERSON MAKES
HIMSELF KNOWN BY APPEARING TO A FEW OF THE VILLAGERS, PROVING HIS
AUTHENTICITY BY TELLING PEOPLE
THEIR LIFE HISTORY IN ITS ENTIRETY.
THIS HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED IN MANY CASES, AND NO EXPLANATION
CAN BE GIVEN OF A NATURAL SORT.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: THAILAND
Keyword(s): Legend ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION ; THAILAND
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 00-00-1968
SUPERSTITION
WHEN ONE HEARS NOISES THREE DAYS AFTER BURYING A LOVED ONE
MEANS HIS SPIRIT CAME BACK TO THANK THE FAMILY FOR ALL THEY
HAVE DONE.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: OHIO ; CLEVELAND
Keyword(s): Haunting ; SPIRIT ; SUPERSTITION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter |
Date learned: 10-22-1968