The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HAIR CHAINS

IN THE LATE 19TH AND EARLY 20TH CENTURIES, HAIR CHAINS
WERE COMMON FUNERAL CUSTOMS. THE HAIR WAS CLIPPED
FROM A NEWLY DEAD PERSON AND IN MOST CASES A CLOSE
RELATIVE FASHIONED A HAIR CHAIN FROM IT. THIS WAS
WORN AS AN ORNAMENT AND WAS A COMMON MEANS OF
REMEMBERING A DEPARTED LOVED ONE.

Submitter comment: I OBSERVED SEVERAL HAIR CHAINS AT THE HENRY FORD MUSEUM
IN DEARBORN. THIS CUSTOM HAS DIED OUT AND HAS NOT
BEEN REVIVED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN ; HENRY FORD MUSEUM

Date learned: 02-25-1970 ; 00001900s ; 00001800S