This figure was once common in cautionary nursery tales, used to keep children from being naughty. If a child didn’t behave, legend said “Rawhead and Bloody Bones,” would come and take them….
Tag: customs
The Ordeal of Touch
It’s an ancient practice with roots so far back, no singular origin is known. It was practiced across civilized nations as far back as Richard the Lionhearted. Many Arabic documents make mention…
The History of the Death Certificate
As many genealogists can tell you, death certificate research is relatively modern. You can only go back so far and then it seems the paper trail just ends. It may be a…
The Female Stranger
Alexandria was a bustling harbor for shipping and trading after the Revolutionary War. One day a large schooner sailed into this Virginia port, owned by an Alexandria merchant named John Dean. The…
Crow: Legend and Lore
Crows have long been feared and maligned throughout history. A distant cousin of the raven, the crow is smaller, has a smaller beak, and a distinct “caw” call. Crows are often seen…
Miscellaneous Coal Mine Facts and Information
Odds and ends about life in the Appalachian coal mines. In 1897, miners in Appalachian regions earned around .30 per ton. Appalachian coal fields are reported to have given work to people…
Miscellaneous Coal Mine Knowledge
Odds and ends about life in the Appalachian coal mines. In 1897, miners in Appalachian regions earned around .30 per ton. Appalachian coal fields are reported to have given work to people…
Responsible Paranormal Investigation
This is an area which desperately needs attention today. While the field of paranormal investigation is far more popular than ever, there are generally some rules which proper groups follow (and all…
Clocklore
One of the more curious of Appalachian customs revolves around death customs. Primarily, why were clocks stopped when someone died? Why were mirrors covered? Here is some clocklore to satisfy curiosity. These…
Appalachian Native American- Strange Burial Customs
An Appalachian Historical Society (Scott County, Virginia) and their records of strange Native American burial customs and practices. Indian Burial