Anthropology Commons^™

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Shadows Of The Long Ago Or Early Day History Retold, W. L. Fox

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed essay entitled, "Shadows of the Long Ago or Early Day History Retold", dating from circa 1932. The story is attributed to a Mr. W. L. Fox and obtained by Mrs. E. L. Esher. Within, the author tells the tale of Esther Dreibelbis and Henry Koch, providing an example of a courting practice involving quilting parties and grubbing bees.

Meine Erfolge Mit Der Wünschelrute / My Successes With Dowsing Rods, Paul Beyer

Dowsing Research

A book by Dr. Paul Beyer, founder of the Reich Association for Dowsing, documenting his experiences using dowsing rods.

Contents:

Image 1 - A dowser from the 17th Century (from an old chalcography)

The practical value of dowsing for communities, landowners, manufacturers and miners.

Image 2 - A modern dowser: Dr. P. Beyer, Founder and Chair of the International Association for Dowsing Researchers on the search for Ore veins in Aue.

2. Successful findings of oil

Image 3 - Provision and reexamination of an oil drilling with the dowsing rod

3. Successful finding of lignites

4. Dowsing rod successes for …

Folklore Of The Pennsylvania Germans, Isaac Shirk Simons

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed thesis paper completed at Franklin and Marshall College entitled, "Folklore of the Pennsylvania Germans", by Isaac Shirk Simons, dated May 20, 1915. Within, Simons covers a range of topics pertaining to Pennsylvania Germans, including history, superstitions, religious sects and witchcraft.

Complete History Of The Execution Of Susannah Cox!: Her Life, Crime, Trial, And Death On The Scaffold, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

An undated pamphlet (circa 1880) titled "Complete History of the Execution of Susannah Cox! Her Life, Crime, Trial, and Death on the Scaffold." It provides information about Reading, Pennsylvania in 1809, discusses coverage of the story in the newspaper, and details the trial, execution and its aftermath. The pamphlet also includes information about published ballads related to the incident and mentions other Berks County hangings.

Copy Book Transcription Of The Ballad Of Susanna Cox, 1862, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

In this student copybook dating from circa 1862, the writer transcribes the ballad of Susanna Cox in both German and English. It recounts the trial and execution of a woman named Susanna Cox who killed her child, conceived out of wed-lock. The work copied in the book appears to be based on the Louis Storck translation of the ballad by Johann Philip Gombert.

Excerpt Of Sketches Of Pennsylvania From The Commercial Herald, July 1833, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed excerpt of an essay entitled "Sketches of Pennsylvania", originally appearing in the Commercial Herald and dated July 1833. Within, the author details the dialect and ways of life of the Pennsylvania Dutch in Lancaster County.

"The Barber's Ghost," January 7, 1825, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

Typed copy of a folk tale appearing in the Chronicle of the Times of Reading, dated January 7, 1825. The unknown author tells the story of a man pretending to be a ghost in order to trick the gambling patrons at an inn and take their money.

Anecdote From The Chronicle Of The Times, July 30, 1823, Unknown Author

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed copy of a humorous anecdote taken from the Reading, Pennsylvania Chronicle of the Times, dated July 30, 1823. The tale concerns the occupation of grave diggers in the afterlife.

Copy Of Advertisements In The Marietta Pilot Newspaper, January 5, 1816, Marietta Pilot Newspaper

Alfred L. Shoemaker Folk Cultural Documents

A typed set of advertisements found in The Marietta Pilot newspaper, dated January 5, 1816. Within, a wife named Catherine responds to a previous advertisement placed by her husband, John Galbaugh, which discredited her character. Catherine refutes her husband, claiming that he is the cause of any financial hardship they must endure.