Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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THIS PERSON CLAIMS THAT HIS MOTHER TAUGHT HIM ALWAYS
TO BELIEVE THE RHYME:
RED SKIES IN THE MORNING,
SAILORS TAKE WARNING,
RED SKIES AT NIGHT,
SAILORS DELIGHT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Narrative Verse BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 02-25-1967
IT IS A POPULAR BELIEF THAT IF A CATHOLIC GOES
INTO A CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT HE HAS NEVER BEEN IN
BEFORE, AND MAKES A WISH, THE WISH WILL COME TRUE.
Submitter comment:
INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER COUSIN WHO IS A
NUN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
Date learned: 07-00-1964
CZECH CHRISTMAS BELIEF
ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT MIDNIGHT, IF A SINGLE MAN TAKES A
MATCH AND STRIKES IT, LETTING IT BURN DOWN A SHORT
WAY, THEN GRABS THE MATCH AT THE BURNT END AND
ALLOWS IT TO BURN DOWN TO THE OTHER END, THE MATCH
WILL BEND TOWARD ONE DIRECTION, AND IN WHATEVER DIREC-
TION THE MATCH POINTS, THAT IS THE DIRECTION YOUR
FUTURE WIFE WOULD COME FROM.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve BELIEF -- Use of object for determining future spouse P862.9 |
Date learned: 10-27-1969
IF ANOTHER PERSON TRIES ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING,
YOU WILL NEVER MARRY THE PERSON WHOSE RING IT IS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, UKRAINIAN UNMARRIED
GIRLS TAKE SPOONS AND HIT THEM TOGETHER OUTDOORS.
FROM WHICHEVER SIDE A DOG BARKS FIRST, FROM THENCE
HER FUTURE HUSBAND WILL COME.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
EVE OF JUNE 24
ON THE EVE OF THE FEAST OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST,
UKRAINIAN VILLAGE GIRLS WEAVE WREATHS. THEY TAKE THEM
DOWN TO THE RIVER, CREEK OR ALEK CLOSEBY, PUT LIGHTED
CANDLES IN THEM AND PLACE THEM ON THE WATER. IF THE
WREATH SINKS WITH THE CANDLES LIGHTED, MISFORTUNE
WILL BEFALL HER.
THE BOYS FROM THE AREA GATHER ON THE OPPOSITE SHORE,
OR COME OUT IN BOATS TO GATHER THE WREATHS. THE
GIRL WHOSE WREATH HE PICKS UP WILL BE HIS FUTURE
WIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- June 23 |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
AT TWELVE MIDNIGHT, IF YOU TAKE A BITE OUT
OF AN APPLE AND THEN LOOK IN A MIRROR, YOU WILL
SEE THE MAN YOU WILL MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
WHEN PEELING AN APPLE OR A POTATO, LET THE PARING FALL
IN ONE PIECE TO THE FLOOR. THE INITIAL IT SPELLS WILL
BE THAT OF THE MAN YOU MARRY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | 862 Use of object for determining future spouse |
Date learned: 03-17-1970
ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, IF YOU MELT LEAD AND AT 12 MIDNIGHT
YOU POUR THE LEAD, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ YOUR
FUTURE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve BELIEF -- Use of Object Manufactured objects, homemade, machined |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
AN ESCAPE TO AMERICA
ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS, NORA SHEPPARD IS 96 YEARS OLD, AND
EVERYONE CALLS HER GRANDMA SHEP. GRANDMA SHEP AS A SWEET
YOUNG COLLEEN EMIGRATING FROM ENGLAND TO THE BRIGHT LAND
OF OPPORTUNITY AND PROMISE, WAS VERY EXCITED TO BE COMING
TO THE UNITED STATES. AT ELLIS ISLAND THE OFFICIALS WERE
CHECKING CAREFULLY THE DOCUMENTS. NORA WAS ONLY SIXTEEN YEARS
OLD AND HAD NO RELATIVE TO SPONSOR HER. THE OFFICIAL SHOOK
HIS HEAD NO. THE FRANTIC YOUNG GIRL TURNED TO THE STOCKY
BOY WHO SHE HAD BECOME GOOD FRIENDS WITH AND SAID, "PLEASE
WOULD YOU MARRY ME?" WITHIN AN HOUR THE PRIEST HAD BLESSED
THE YOUNG COUPLE AND THEY WERE DULY WED. THEY SETTLED IN
THEIR NEW COUNTRY AND THE LESS THAN ROMANTIC BEGINNING
DEVELOPED INTO A MARRIAGE OF 63 YEARS, 7 CHILDREN, 35
GRANDCHILDREN AND 12 GREAT GRANDCHILDREN. IT WAS AND STILL
IS AN EXAMPLE OF LOVE TO ALL WHO KNOW THEM.
Submitter comment:
I THINK THAT THIS STORY GETS MORE DRAMATIC EVERY TIME IT IS
TOLD BUT IT IS STILL CUTE ANYWAYS. GRANDMA SHEP IS A
CHARACTER AND I WOULDN'T PUT IT PAST HER FEISTY DETERMINED
NATURE TO PROPOSE TO A MAN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN
James Callow Keyword(s): INVERSION ; ROLE REVERSAL ; SEXISM
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Married couple CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Proposal |
Date learned: 00001900CA
IF YOU REMEMBER WHAT YOU DREAMED OF ON NEW YEAR'S
EVE, IT WILL COME TRUE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve |
Date learned: 10-00-1970
IF YOU DREAM OF COAL, YOU MAY EXPECT SICKNESS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Spirit / Mind / Body Observation |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
IF YOU TURN A LOAF OF FRESHLY BAKED BREAD UPSIDE
DOWN ON A TABLE, SOMEONE WILL GET PREGNANT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
James Callow Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC ; POSITION DIRECTION
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
SPOON TEST FOR DETERMINING SEX
MY GRANDMOTHER, WHO WAS OF GERMAN DESCENT, TOLD ME
THIS STORY. YOU SPIN A SPOON BEHIND A PREGNANT WOMAN.
IF THE HANDLE IS AWAY FROM HER, IT WILL BE A GIRL.
IF IT'S TOWARD HER, IT'S A BOY. IF THE HANDLE IS
SIDEWAYS, TWINS.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
THE 100 YEAR CALENDAR
IN GERMANY, EVERYONE SAYS THAT THE WEATHER FOR
THIS MONTH WILL BE SAME AS IT WAS 100 YEARS AGO.
YOU LOOK IN THE ALMANAC BOOK AND YOU FIND THAT IN
JUNE 100 YEARS AGO, IT HAD 5 DAYS WITH RAIN,
15 DAYS SUNNY, ETC. IT WILL BE THE SAME WEATHER
IN JUNE 100 YEARS LATER.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR IN MY HOME. SHE LEARNED
THIS BELIEF AS A LITTLE GIRL IN GERMANY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control BELIEF -- Number P686.1.100 |
Date learned: 00001920S
PUT BREAD AND CORNMEAL ON BOTH ENDS OF A BOARD.
IF THE BIRDS EAT THE BREAD, IT WILL BE WARM,
BUT IF THEY EAT THE CORNMEAL, IT WILL BE COLD.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
GERMAN MERMAID
ON THE RHINE RIVER THERE IS A PLACE WHERE THE CURRENT
SWINGS OUT. THERE ARE ROCKS THERE AND A MERMAID
SITS AND COMBS HER HAIR AND LURES PEOPLE INTO THE
ROCKS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- P428 |
Date learned: 01-00-1968
IF THE BRIDE AND GROOM EAT DARK BREAD WITH SALT AT THE
BEGINNING OF THEIR RECEPTION, THEY WILL NEVER BE HUNGRY
ALL DURING THEIR MARRIED LIFE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage Bread and salt |
Date learned: 03-24-1970
AFTER THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY, WHEN YOU COME HOME, YOU SHOULD
EAT SALT AND BREAD BEFORE ENTERING THE HOUSE. THE SALT
REPRESENTS THE SALT OF THE EARTH. THE EATING BREAD, MEANS
THAT YOU WILL NEVER STARVE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | Favorites BELIEF -- Marriage Bread and salt |
Date learned: 02-22-1970
PUTTING A DIME IN YOUR SHOE BEFORE YOUR WEDDING WILL
BRING GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT DID THIS ON HER WEDDING DAY. SHE'S NOT
SURE IF SHE BELIEVES TODAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Marriage Penny in shoe |
Date learned: 02-22-1970