Record #:

8328

Author(s):

Mellinger, Marie B.

Abstract:

There are many ways to tell if it is going to rain besides the newspaper. Folk traditions involve things such as: the direction a lizard sits on a fence post, the location of a spider web, the way fireflies fly, where cows lie down, and cricket songs. The most important predictions are made on July 15, the day honoring St. Swithin's, the patron saint of the farmer. Current weather phenomena might also predict future weather. It is said, for example, fog on a southerly wind will bring rain, while halos around the sun foretell stormy weather.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 10, Mar 1985, p8-9, por

Subject(s):

Weather forecasting; Folklore

Record #:

8163

Author(s):

Proctor, Richard C.

Abstract:

Folktales play an important role in North Carolina's history. Authors such as John Charles McNeil, Joel Chandler Harris, and Dr. Frank Brown have collected and written about the state's folklore. Focusing on eastern North Carolina, Proctor discusses many of the legends he heard growing up. Folklore topics such as moon cycles, crop planting, animals, love charms, and marriage rituals are treated.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 52 Issue 5, Oct 1984, p3, il

Subject(s):

Folklore

Record #:

8892

Author(s):

Owen, Guy

Abstract:

North Carolinians speak a peculiar mix of southern and folk. The Tar Heel language, a reflection of a rural past, is dying under the growth of the New South. Guy Owen, however, is working to record the Tar Heel language through his writing. An author of several books, Owen sets his stories in rural North Carolina and includes old-time folk sayings. The Duke University Press is also preserving North Carolina's linguistic heritage in its Frank C. Brown Collection of North Carolina Folklore. Included in the article are many of the typical Tar Heel folk sayings.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 51 Issue 8, Jan 1984, p5-6, por

Subject(s):

Folklore; English language--Dialects--North Carolina

Record #:

16322

Author(s):

Upton, Pamela

Abstract:

The Asheville News, published from 1849-69, edited a time by Thomas Atkin, is an undistinguished newspaper, but a notable one in illustrations of folklore scattered throughout the newspaper.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 30 Issue 1, Spring-Summer 1982, p18-33, f Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore

Record #:

31557

Author(s):

Barrett, Joyce

Abstract:

Richard Chase of Hendersonville is an internationally known folklorist. For many years, Chase has collected unique English-American ballads and tales to help preserve our cultural heritage as expressed through oral literature. As he presents folklore throughout North Carolina, Chase believes that a rediscovery of our living folkways will lead to a great cultural rebirth.

Source:

Carolina Country (NoCar HD 9688 N8 C38x), Vol. 11 Issue 11, Nov 1979, p21, il

Subject(s):

Folklore; Folklorists; Cultural heritage

Record #:

9034

Author(s):

Owen, Guy

Abstract:

Owen re-tells a tale told by 78-year-old musician Thomas Burt during the North Carolina Folklife Festival at Eno State Park in Durham last July. Burt rarely performs publicly, and the story is about a guitar picker named Scrap Harris who makes an unfortunate deal with the devil.

Source:

The State (NoCar F 251 S77), Vol. 46 Issue 4, Sept 1978, p19-20, il

Subject(s):

Musicians; Folklore

Record #:

16344

Author(s):

Gutierrez, C. Paige

Abstract:

The story of \"Jack and the Beanstalk\" is widely known throughout the United States and England. However, few people outside of the Southern Appalachians realize that Jack is also the hero of dozens of other wonder stories. These stories, called \"Jack Tales\" are especially numerous in northwestern North Carolina.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 26 Issue 2, Sept 1978, p85-110 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore

Record #:

16346

Author(s):

Nichols, Olivia Murray

Abstract:

A wealth of folk material is stored in Bibles, not only family tree records that on occasion suffice for official documents, but also the treasured tidbits that one tucks inside a Bible because they had a special significance. From pressed flowers, bookmarks, and quilts patches, to pictures and locks of hair, Bibles present a treasure chest of folk wisdom.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 26 Issue 3, Nov 1978, p168-170 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore

Record #:

35746

Author(s):

Newton, Paul

Abstract:

In 1958, Mr. Lunsford donated a collection of books on folklore, recordings of folksongs and ballads, scrapbooks, and other manuscripts in honor of his parents.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 25 Issue 1, May 1977, p28-29 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore; Folk music

Record #:

35737

Author(s):

Not Given

Abstract:

A collection of stories about ghosts, stilling, fishing, death omens, and animals. Written by various authors.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 24 Issue 2, Aug 1976, p64-68 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore; Folk tales--North Carolina; Ghosts; Omens; Fishing

Record #:

16372

Author(s):

West, Harry C.

Abstract:

Of all birds of ill omen, the belled buzzard is among the most terrifying to the people of North Carolina, for he signifies the presence of death and corruption. Belled buzzards have been reported in Clay, Davidson, Granville, and Beaufort counties. Most sightings report death to some victim, not caused by the buzzard but by the hand of other men. West presents several stories surrounding the belled buzzard.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 23 Issue 4, Nov 1975, p118-120 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore

Record #:

35714

Author(s):

Doyle, Charles Clay

Abstract:

The folktale motif of an animal imitating its master and resulting in an accidental suicide is shown through three stories. In the three, an orangutan kills itself by imitating the master shaving, although the third story has a version where the animal tries to shave someone else, and kills them instead.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 23 Issue 3, Aug 1975, p87-91 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folk tales--North Carolina; Folklore

Record #:

35716

Author(s):

McMahon, Margaret

Abstract:

While exploring around the Cape Fear River, a young man spied a beautiful mermaid, just like the ones that were rumored to be in Scotland. Taking this as a good omen, the man decided to stay in the Cape Fear region and build his life.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 23 Issue 4, Nov 1975, p99-100 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Cape Fear River--Description and travel; Folklore; Scots--North Carolina--History--18th Century; Legends; Omens

Record #:

35721

Author(s):

Beatty, Roger

Abstract:

Throughout folklore, frogs are often associated with rain and one particular family that now lives in Columbus, Ohio, believe that frogs come to the earth via rain.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 23 Issue 4, Nov 1975, p121-124 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore; Animal lore; Frogs; Folklore--Weather

Record #:

35654

Author(s):

Holloman, William

Abstract:

The author first heard a ghost story about a ghost that led to the death of its former fiancé from his grandmother, and then collected variations of the same story from other sources.

Source:

North Carolina Folklore Journal (NoCar GR 110 N8 N6), Vol. 22 Issue 1, Feb 1974, p3-8 Periodical Website

Subject(s):

Folklore; Ghost stories; Folk tales--North Carolina