Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for BLOOMFIELD HILLS returned 88 results.
BRIDAL VEIL MUST BE REMOVED AT MIDNIGHT, OTHERWISE
IT IS BAD LUCK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Marriage Removing veil |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
ONE WHITE FOOT, BUY IT.
TWO WHITE FEET, TRY IT.
THREE WHITE FEET, SEE HOW IT GOES.
FOUR WHITE FEET, AND WHITE NOSE,
CUT OFF ITS FEET AND THROW IT TO THE CROWS.
Submitter comment: THIS APPLIED TO BUYING A HORSE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Belief C860.442 |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
IF A WOMAN IS PREGNANT AND A MEMBER OF HER FAMILY
DIES, THE BABY WILL BE THE SEX OF THE DECEASED.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 10-06-1969
WHEN A PREGNANT WOMAN BAKES BREAD AND THE DOUGH RISES
QUICKLY, SHE WILL HAVE A SON.
Submitter comment:
STORY TOLD TO INFORMANT, MY NEIGHBOR, BY HER AUNT WHO
WAS RAISED IN THE MONTREAL (CANADA) AREA. MM MY MOTHER'S
MOTHER WHO WAS IRISH, TOLD ME ABOUT THIS. WHEN YOU WERE
EXPECTING A CHILD, THE GARMENT YOU WERE SEWING ON WHEN
THE BABY WAS TO BE BORN WOULD PREDICT THE SEX. I DON'T
REMEMBER IT ALL, BUT SOMETHING LIKE, WOOK, A BOY; COTTON,
SILK, A GIRL.
TOLD TO ME BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
PREDICTION OF BABY'S FUTURE
MY SISTER TOLD ME THAT IF A BABY WAS BORN WITH A
TOOTH, HE WOULD BE A SCHOLAR.
Submitter comment: TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HIS SISTER, MRS. LA MOUNTAIN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
PREDICTION OF BABY'S SEX
THE PREGNANT MOTHER LAYS DOWN ON HER BACK. THEN YOU
TAKE EITHER A NEEDLE OR A PENCIL HUNG ON A STRING
AND HOLD IT OVER HER NAVEL. IF IT GOES IN A CIRCLE
IT WILL BE A GIRL. IF IT GOES BACK AND FORTH, IT
WILL BE A BOY.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER NEIGHBOR IN WAYNE, MICHIGAN,
CAROL PROUGH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth BELIEF -- Use of Object |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
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 |
IF ONE COW LICKS ANOTHER COW, IT MEANS AN
ELECTRICAL STORM OR BLIZZARD IS COMING.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER UNCLE, WALTER HAAS,
OF MONTMORENCY CTY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Mammal BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
THICK ICE MEANS A HOT SUMMER; THIN ICE MEANS A
COOL, MISERABLE SUMMER.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO INFORMANT BY HER SISTER-IN-LAW, KATE
CRAMER.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
Date learned: 00001940-1950
WHEN YOU BUTCHER HOGS IN THE FALL, IF THE SPLEEN
IS LONG, IT WILL BE A SEVERE WINTER.
Submitter comment: TOLD BY MY NEIGHBOR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | BELIEF -- Weather sign or control |
THE UMBILICAL CORD: A KNOTTY PROBLEM
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT, NEVER HOLD YOUR ARMS ABOVE YOUR
HEAD OR YOUR BABY WILL HAVE THE CORD WRAPPED AROUND
HIS NECK.
Submitter comment:
TOLD TO THE INFORMANT BY HER FRIEND, RUTH CLENDENEN
OF COLUMBUS, OHIO. MRS. WELLS, THEN PREGNANT, WAS
LIFTING UP HER ARMS. SHE ADDED TO ME THAT HER CHILD
WAS BORN WITH THE CORD TWISTED AROUND HIS NECK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Birth BELIEF -- Birth |
Date learned: 00-00-1961
IN CHURCH, MARRIED WOMEN MUST SIT RIGHT FRONT
AND MARRIED MEN LEFT FRONT; UNMARRIED GIRLS RIGHT BACK
AND UNMARRIED MEN LEFT BACK.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 09-17-1969
MAGICAL NUMBER
WHEN YOU ENTER A CHURCH FOR THE FIRST TIME, (YOU'VE
NEVER BEEN IN IT BEFORE) MAKE A WISH.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Church |
Date learned: 10-17-1969
FIRST SNEEZE, ONE SAYS TO SNEEZER: ONE A WISH.
SECOND SNEEZE, ONE SAYS TO SNEEZER: TWO, A KISS.
THIRD SNEEZE, ONE SAYS TO SNEEZER: THREE, A LETTER.
FOURTH SNEEZE, ONE SAYS TO SNEEZER; FOUR, SOMETHING BETTER.
Submitter comment: EACH PHRASE SAID AFTER EACH SNEEZE
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Favorites Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Speech Speech SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 00001970S
SAINT PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL AND BELIEFS
SAINT PATRICK DERTA GEROGADE E FRANC OR ALBAN. THAT MEANS SAINT
PATRICK CAME FROM FRANCE OR ENGLAND. WE WERE TAUGHT THAT EXPRESSION
AS CHILDREN. HE WAS SENT BY POPE CELESTINE TO BRING THE CATHOLIC
FAITH TO IRELAND. HE KILLED ALL THE SNAKES IN IRELAND BY SQUASHING
THEM WITH HIS STAFF. HE DIDN'T REALLY EXIST THOUGH. WE WOULD
CELEBRATE SAINT PATRICK'S DAY IN ENGLAND BY WEARING ALL GREEN.
Submitter comment:
"SPELLMAN, BURKE, AND I WOULD GO OUT FOR A WALK IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE
WE HAD NO MONEY AND WE DIDN'T WANT THOSE DAMN ENGLISH TO THINK WE
WERE STAYING HOME ON SAINT PATRICK'S DAY."
MY MOTHER, WHO IS FROM IRELAND, WENT TO NURSING SCHOOL IN ENGLAND IN
1947. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
Data entry tech comment:
Updated by TRD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Celebrate ; Green ; holiday ; IRELAND ; Irish ; Legend ; Lore ; Origin ; Saint Patrick's Day ; Tale
| Subject headings: | PROSE NARRATIVE -- Religious hero BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00-00-1947 ; 11-22-1979
IRISH CHRISTMAS
WE WOULD SING CAROLS SUCH AS SILENT NIGHT AND ADESTA FEDALAISE-COME
ALL YE FAITHFUL. WE WOULD LOOK IN THE WINDOWS AND SEE ALL THE TOYS.
WE NEVER HAD ANY TOYS. FOR A CHRISTMAS TREE WE WOULD GET AN
EVERGREEN FROM THE FIELD. FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER WE WOULD HAVE TURKEY
DRESSING, BOILED POTATOES, VEGETABLES FROM THE GARDEN, CHRISTMAS
CAKE, AND PLUM PUDDING. WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT THE HEAD OFF AND PLUCK
THE FEATHERS FROM THE TURKEY, IT WOULD TAKE HOURS. THE CHRISTMAS
CAKE WAS A KIND OF FRUIT CAKE. THE PLUM PUDDING WOULD BE HUNG FROM
THE WALL AND TAKEN DOWN FOR CHRISTMAS AND THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
ON JANUARY 6.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND WHEN SHE WAS
YOUNG. SHE CAME FROM A POOR FAMILY.
ADESTA FEDALAISE USUALLY SPELLED ADESTA FIDELES
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. |
Date learned: 00-00-1932 ; 11-22-1979
IRISH SALUTATION
MAY YOU BE IN HEAVEN A HALF HOUR BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR'E DEAD
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | SPEECH -- Formula |
Date learned: 11-22-1979
IRISH GHOST BELIEF
WE HEARD A BANSHEE CRYING ONE NIGHT AND GRANDFATHER O'BRIEN TOLD US
THIS MEANT SOMEONE IN TOWN WAS GOING TO DIE. THE BANSHEE WENT MMOOO
MMOOO ALL NIGHT OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE OF THE PERSON THAT WAS GOING TO
DIE. A BANSHEE IS A KIND OF A LITTLE FAIRIE. PEGGY SWEARS SHE SAW
ONE IN THE GRAVEYARD ONE NIGHT. IT WAS ALL WHITE.
Submitter comment:
MY MOTHER LIVED IN BUNCLODY, COUNTY WEXFORD, IRELAND. SHE WAS FIVE
YEARS OLD IN 1932 WHEN SHE HEARD THE CRY OF THE BANSHEE.
PEGGY IS MY AUNT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BLOOMFIELD HILLS
| Subject headings: | Observation Favorites PROSE NARRATIVE -- Fairy Elf Goblin Gnome BELIEF -- Ghost Spirit Phantom Specter BELIEF -- Death Funeral Burial |
Date learned: 00-00-1932 ; 11-22-1979