The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

YOU AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE IN GYPSIES ACCORDING
TO MRS. GARAZZO'S DECEASED MOTHER. ONCE, IN HER (THE
MOTHER'S) HAMLET IN ITALY, SHE (THE MOTHER) CONFESSED
TO THE PRIEST HAVING SAID THAT THE GYPSIES WERE
BEFORE THE TIME OF CHRIST, AND SAID THAT IT WAS
TRUE. THE PRIEST REFUSED TO GIVE HER ABSOLUTION.
SHE THEN WENT BACK TO THE PRIEST AND SHOWED HIM A
BOOK STATING THAT AS TRUE. THE PRIEST ABSOLVED HER
BUT TOLD HER NOT TO TELL THAT TO OTHER PEOPLE--
ABOUT THE GYPSIES HAVING LIVED BEFORE THE TIME OF
CHRIST.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 10-26-1969