Digital Commons Network^™

Memo From Wolfram Sievers, June 12, 1939; Forwarded To Josef Wimmer On August 3, 1939, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

In this memo, Wolfram Sievers reports changes to be made to proposals made in a report on dowsing based on a telephone conversation with SS-Sturmbannführer Ehlich. The note at the bottom forwards the memo to Josef Wimmer who is in possession of the paper in question.

Report On The Visit Of Dr. Wentzel On June 6, 1939, Unknown

Dowsing Research

This report on a visit to Berlin by Dr. Wetzel notes progress in scientifically determining physical causes for the dowsing rod phenomenon and laments the rejection of dowsing by experts due to activities by "dilettantes and frauds", whose activities should be stopped through official measures.

Wetzel expressed a desire for the Association for Dowsing to come under the umbrella of the German Police with the protection of the Reichsführer-SS, possibly within the Ahnenerbe. He compares dowsing research to World Ice Theory research, both facing opposition from government and party officials which could discourage researchers.

Wetzel additionally mentions his support for …

Letter From The Reich Main Security Office To The Ahnenerbe, May 26, 1939, Reich Main Security Office

Dowsing Research

This note from the Reich Main Security Office on behalf of the Reichsführer-SS (Heinrich Himmler) accompanied a report on dowsing rods which was submitted to Himmler. The note states that the report was being forwarded for information purposes.

Report Of The Sd Directed At Reichsführer Ss Heinrich Himmler, May 26, 1939, Sicherheitsdienst

Dowsing Research

This report from the SD responds to the petition by the Reich Association for Dowsing which defends dowsing and asks for measures to regulate dowsing and empower the association in its oversight capacities.

The SD response begins with a summary of the arguments made by the Reich Association for Dowsing which refers to dowsing successes and outlines obstacles in the form of hostility from the science community, lack of resources, and the detrimental effect of "wild dowsers" on the overall reputation of the practice.

The paper then explores the organization itself, noting that it is based on a system of …

Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Walther Wüst, May 22, 1939, Wolfram Sievers

Dowsing Research

In a note to Ahnenerbe curator Walther Wüst, Wolfram Sievers states that he is forwarding documents on dowsing to Josef Wimmer. Wimmer is asked to provide his opinion, particularly on a paper from the Reich Association for Dowsing. It is hoped that this can lead to the creation of a research center proposed by curator Wüst.

Letter From Walther Wüst And Wolfram Sievers To Heinrich Harmjanz, February 27, 1939, Wolfram Sievers, Walther Wust

Atlas of German Folklore

Wolfram Sievers and Walther Wüst write to Heinrich Harmjanz informing him that he has been tasked with the leadership of the "Atlas of German Folklore".

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, February 23, 1939, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Heinrich Harmjanz to Wolfram Sievers in which Harmjanz requests a document related to the commissioning of the work for the Atlas of German Volkskunde by the Ahnenerbe. He indicates that it is needed for an upcoming meeting with the German Research Association.

Nebraska Folklore: Pamphlet 19,  Reminiscences Of Dad Streeter, Nebraska Department Of Public Instruction, Federal Writers' Project Of The Works Progress Administration For The State Of Nebraska, Nebraska Writers' Project

Digitized Books

These reminiscences of George W. Streeter, who prefers to be known as Dad Streeter, relate experiences and events in which he participated while living in Nebraska during the 1880's The manuscript was first submitted to the Federal Writers' Project in Utah (where Mr. Streeter now resides in Ogden), and then, through the National Office in Washington, D.C., to the Nebraska Federal Writers' Project. In order to preserve the flavor and flow of the rough narrative, editing was reduced to a minimum.

During the years covered by the reminiscences, "Dad" lived the life of a roving cowboy-constantly moving from Nebraska to …

Letter From The Ahnenerbe To Heinrich Harmjanz, January 12, 1939, Ahnenerbe

Atlas of German Folklore

This note, written on behalf of Wolfram Sievers, accompanied letters from Rudolf Mentzel of the German Research Assocation which Harmjanz had requested for an upcoming meeting regarding the Atlas of German Folklore (see letter from Harmjanz to Sievers from January 5, 1939).

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, January 5, 1939, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Heinrich Harmjanz to Wolfram Sievers asking for copies of letters from the German Research Association which Sievers had previously promised to share with Harmjanz. Harmjanz asks that they be sent as soon as possible, as they were necessary for making decisions about the staff and relocation of the Atlas of German Volkskunde.

Stories And Notes From The Dietrich Family, 1939, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten set of notes documenting various stories passed down through the Dietrich family by an unknown author, dating from circa 1939. Within, the author details various tales involving early settlers and Native Americans, folk cures, hypnotism, a grandfather clock and a peddler of eyeglasses.

Superstitions, Proverbs And Notes From The Dietrich Family, 1939, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A handwritten set of notes documenting various stories and superstitions passed down within the Dietrich family, author unknown, dating from circa 1939. Within, the author documents a number of folk beliefs, riddles, proverbs, and anecdotal stories - many written in Pennsylvania Dutch dialect.

Letter From Rudolf Mentzel To Matthes Ziegler, November 30, 1938, Rudolf Mentzel

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Rudolf Mentzel of the German Research Association to Matthes Ziegler of the Professional Association for German Folk Studies in response to Ziegler's request for the source material of the Atlas of German Volkskunde. Mentzel explains that the material has been sent to Heinrich Harmjanz of the Ahnenerbe for use in his work.

Letter From Rudolf Mentzel To Walther Wüst, November 30, 1938, Rudolf Mentzel

Atlas of German Folklore

A letter from Rudolf Mentzel to Walter Wüst agreeing to send the Atlas material to the Ahnenerbe for Harmjanz to use in ongoing work. The letter refers to a request for the material by Matthes Ziegler of the Professional Association for German Folk Studies, which was refused by Mentzel due to his verbal promise to Harmjanz.

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Oberregierungsrat Zimmerman, November 17, 1938, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

A letter from Heinrich Harmjanz to Oberregierungsrat Zimmerman of the German Research Association discussing access to the Atlas source material. Harmjanz assures Zimmerman that Matthes Ziegler was incorrect in believing the Atlas work to complete. He details future plans and reasons the material was still needed. He notes that work would continue under the auspices of the Ahnenerbe. He also mentions that Rudolf Mentzel had verbally promised the loan of the material and assures Zimmerman there would be no financial cost to the German Research Association for this project.

Letter From Heinrich Harmjanz To Wolfram Sievers, November 17, 1938, Heinrich Harmjanz

Atlas of German Folklore

In this document, Heinrich Harmjanz writes to Wolfram Sievers regarding the source material for the Atlas of German Volkskunde. He reports that Matthes Ziegler had requested the material, stating that he'd heard the Atlas would cease to exist. Meanwhile, Harmjanz asks Sievers to reiterate the request to Rudolf Mentzel of the German Research Association that the material be provided to Harmjanz for further work, including a soon to be published Translyvanian atlas.

Position Paper By The Reich Association For Dowsing Submitted To Heinrich Himmler, October 6, 1938, Reich Association For Dowsing

Dowsing Research

This position paper, directed at Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, from the Reich Association of Dowsing addresses the situation of dowsing and dowsing research and offers proposals for official actions.

The Association emphasises that a scientific explanation is urgently needed, but much progress had been made despite a crippling lack of resources. They cite evidence of dowsing successes (tens of thousands of cases) and note that failures occur in every profession and in dowsing they are not disproportionate.

They call attention to the obstacles of "wild" dowsers, not connected with the Association, as well as the hostility of the science community which …

Report On A Manuscript By Eduard Wildhagen Criticizing The Atlas Of German Folklore, June 1, 1938, Unknown

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter regarding a document by Wildhagen which is seen as an attack on the leadership of the Atlas and the German Research Association. The document was sent to several friends of Wildhagen and some scientists abroad. The writer sees the document as damaging to their interests and wants countermeasures to be taken. The author describes Wildhagen as a power-seeker who had caused great damage to the German humanities and folklore communities.

Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Walther Wüst, May 27, 1938, Wolfram Sievers

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter from Wolfram Sievers to Walther Wüst regarding Eduard Wildhagen's book concerning the Atlas of German Folklore. Sievers forwards relevant documents and asks for advice as to whether the matter should be addressed with Franz Six, Rudolf Mentzel and Heinrich Harmjanz.

Handwritten notes by Wüst and Sievers show that Wüst encouraged the meetings, which occurred on June 17-18, 1939.

Note From Karl Theodor Weigel About Eduard Wildhagen, May 27, 1938, Karl Theodor Weigel

Atlas of German Folklore

In this note for the files, Karl Theodor Weigel describes a letter from Eduard Wildhagen regarding a book by Wildhagen concerning the Atlas of German Volkskunde. Wildhagen sought approval from the Ahnenerbe and Reichsführer SS before publishing the book. Weigel noted that he advised Wildhagen to go through official channels. It is stated that Wildhagen was certain that Himmler was no longer hostile toward him, but Weigel had heard otherwise.

Letter From Eduard Wildhagen To The Ahnenerbe, May 25, 1938, Eduard Wildhagen

Atlas of German Folklore

Eduard Wildhagen writes the Ahnenerbe regarding a document he wrote concerning the Atlas of German Volkskunde. He indicates that he would like to publish it, but fears this will spur attacks on him. He requests the Ahnenerbe to review and approve the work on behalf of the Reichsführer SS. He additionally suggests that the Ahnenerbe take over the Atlas work and appoint him as leader of the project.

Excerpts From A Document By Eduard Wildhagen Discussing The Atlas Of German Folklore, May 21, 1938, Ahnenerbe, Eduard Wildhagen

Atlas of German Folklore

This document includes two excerpts from a 1932 work by Eduard Wildhagen discussing the Atlas of German Folklore, dealing particularly with its ineffective management.

Letter From Walther Wüst To Heinrich Himmler, May 5, 1938, Walther Wust

Atlas of German Folklore

Wüst forwards to Himmler a letter to Matthes Ziegler regarding negative comments Ziegler had reportedly made regarding the Ahnenerbe.

Note From Wolfram Sievers To Matthes Ziegler, Undated, Wolfram Sievers

Atlas of German Folklore

Letter to Matthes Ziegler of the Professional Association for German Folk Studies about negative comments made by Ziegler about Sievers and the Ahnenerbe. Sievers asks Ziegler to explain himself.

Draft Of A Letter From Wolfram Sievers To Rudolf Mentzel, With Corrections, Undated, Wolfram Sievers

Atlas of German Folklore

Wolfram Sievers writes to Rudolf Mentzel of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft concerning the source material for the Atlas of German Folklore, asking that it be entrusted to the Ahnenerbe so that the work of Heinrich Harmjanz on the atlas can continue smoothly.

Ua37/44 Tidbits Of Kentucky Folklore, Gordon Wilson

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Tidbits of Kentucky Folklore nos. 200-300:

• A House by the Side of the Road – 192
• A Piece of the Way – 132
• A Tent Photographer – 7
• A Tent Show at Fidelity – 20
• A Village Oracle – 60
• Bark Whips – 128
• Better Than His Bond – 84
• Buggy Fixin’s – 130
• Burdock, Jimson Weeds & Cockleburs – 74
• Burning Down the House I Was Brung Up In – 158
• Buttons – 34
• Chestnuts – 162
• Children’s Post Offices – 126
• Children’s Superstitions – 124
• Company – 142
• Confederate Reunions – 52
• Consule Planco – 70
• Corn – …

Nebraska Folklore: Pamphlet 3, Children's Singing Games, Federal Writers' Project

Digitized Books

These games are all suitable for children in the grades. Some of them are also played by high school pupils and adults. Many of them can be adapted for dances or drills. They are all traditional, coming; to us for the most part from England or by way of England. The many versions indicate the local adaptations made during their travels to us from the Eastern Seaboard States.

Ua37/23 Whas Broadcast No. 50, Whas, Western Kentucky University, Earl Moore

WKU Administration Documents

Script for weekly WKU broadcast on WHAS radio. This show included Earl Moore, Gordon Wilson, William Lukes, Dale Grabill, Jimmie Arnold, Randall Atcher, Lavelton Dye and Jimmie Rutan.

Ua37/44 Tidbits Of Kentucky Folklore, Gordon Wilson

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

Tidbits of Kentucky Folklore nos. 101-199:

• A Chapter on Boots & Shoes – 15
• A Country Parson – 102
• A Cycle of Houses – 106
• A Singer of Ballads – 127
• A Village Wag – 96
• Afraid of the Dark – 86
• Almost a Pioneer – 133
• Boils, Carbuncles & Risings – 153
• Books & Playtime – 26
• Carpentry of Other Years – 120
• Changing Styles of Houses – 125
• Christmas Like It Used to Be – 40
• Church-Door Johnny – 191
• City Folks at Fidelity – 187
• Cutting Down Clothes – 98
• Cutting Sprouts – 195
• Dolls Old & …

Elizabethan Left-Overs In Allen County, Alfred Dalton

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study of the Elizabethan influences remaining in the spoken language of the people of Allen County, Kentucky, is an outgrowth of discussion in the English classes of Dr. Gordon Wilson, Western Kentucky State Teachers College, concerning the folklore of the present-day rural people of Kentucky. I have endeavored to give a true picture of the picturesque language of the farming people as they go about their every-day business of making a living, with particular emphasis upon those words and usages that are no longer considered in good use.