‘Vampire’ grave shows 17th-century fear of women who ‘didn’t fit in’
A sharp sickle was placed across her neck, ready to decapitate her should she jolt awake after death, and a padlock was put around her big toe.
That’s what scientists found when they excavated the corpse of a woman they believe was suspected of being a vampire in 17th-century Poland.
The unnamed woman — thought to be young and of a high social class, given that she was buried in a silk scarf — was probably accused of being supernatural because she stood out, experts said. A large protruding tooth may provide some clues.
A professor from Poland’s Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun said burials involving a sickle are extremely unusual. Archaeologists from the universitymade the discovery in the southern village of Pien in the Eastern European nation last month and published their findings this week.
“Ways to protect against the return of the dead include cutting off the head or legs, placing the deceased face down to bite into the ground, burning them and smashing them with a stone,” Dariusz Polinski, who led the research team, told The Washington Post. Instead, in this case, a sharp scythe is “not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get up, most likely the head would have been cut off or injured.”
The woman’s exhumed remains are now being studied by Polinski’s team.
Her burial reveals “paranoia” and “fear” around vampires — and the “gender politics” at the time, Stacey Abbott, author of “Undead Apocalypse: Vampires and Zombies in the 21st Century,” told The Washington Post on Wednesday.
** I found this poem while perusing a old periodical, Phillips Family Finder, in the Yakima Valley Genealogical Society library. It stated “submitted by Esther Freeman.” I share it with you only because I thought it funny. I know that monkeys are “ornery” too and do bad things to each other (I’ve seen the documentaries) but I never thought of monkeys as “proud.” What about you?
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society General Membership Meeting Tuesday, Oct 11th at 6:30 pm Hybrid at the Tacoma Family History Center and Via Zoom With the holidays coming up and families gathering, here’s a timely topic “Grandma Said What? Gathering and Verifying your Family’s Oral History.” Our presenter is Sara Cochran of The Skeleton Whisperer, from Moreno Valley California. Our meeting starts at 6:30 and our presentation will begin at 7pm. More information including a handout will be made available. Please email publicity@TPCGS.org if you would like the Zoom meeting link.
Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society Book Club Saturday Oct. 15th at 3:00 pm via Zoom Please join us as we discuss a genealogical murder mystery. To the Grave is the second book in the Jefferson Tayte series by Steve Robinson. Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1477818537/ Worldcat link: https://www.worldcat.org/title/863194220 We will also discuss the direction in which we would like this group to go, and choose future books. If we like this book, we may decide to continue with the next book in the series.
EWGS past president Shirley Penna-Oakes has been gone for a couple of years now. Her good friend, Mary, to whom Shirley gave all her genealogy and her genealogy books, is now wanting to re-home some family histories that Shirley collected. The titles are listed below; I have these books and would be willing to send them to you for postage. First to ask gets them….. 🙂
The Irish Scots and the “Scotch-Irish,” by John C. Linehan, 1902, Heritage Books reprint.
I Saved the King: The Story of the Turnbulls, by R.E. Scott, 1977, 17 pages, Xerox copy
Robert Clements: Ancestors & Descendants, of Leicestershire & Warwickshire, England, First Settler of Haverhill, Mass, by Percival W. Clement, 1921, 2 vols in 1, Xerox copy
Family of John Page of Haverhill, Mass, 1614-1977, by Lynn M. Case and Page Sanderson, 1978, 245 pages + index, Hardbound book
History of Haverhill, Mass, by Benjamin L. Mirick, 1832, 237 pages + index, Heritage Book reprint
By the Name of Morrill, 1632-1987, by Madeleine Witten, ND, 240 pages + index
Theresa Maria Maselli (Dalsanders) and Virginia D’Amico (Penna); Arrived into New York City 1907 and Spokane, WA, 1907. Compiled by Shirley Penna Oakes, ND
Descendants of Margaret Campbell, 1847-1928, inc. John Doherty and Jonas Otto Wallgreen, by Juanita Sullender, 2011
Family of Anthony Wayne Bricker & Melinda Sullender (who married in IN in 1842), a stuffed 3-ring binder of charts, notes, obits, pictures and copies; compiled by Shirley Penna Oakes.
The Munson Record: Genealogy & Biographical Account of Capt. Thomas Munson and His Descendants, by Myron A. Munson, 1896, 200 pages, unbound Xerox copy
*** I also have a big box of The New England Historic Genealogical Society’s publication, The Register. Shirley apparently purchased these early volumes…………. I will not send them (way, way too heavy) but they are up for grabs.
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PROGRAM UPDATES
All meetings are virtual except the in-person Research Group and Genealogy Help at the Auburn Library
Live transcription (captioning) is available during our Zoom meetings by request
Tuesday, October 4, 2022, 6:30pm PT SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (virtual) All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link. Friday, October 7, 2022, 12:30 – 2:30 pm PT EGS German Interest Group (virtual) “Discovering German Church Records at Matricula Online” by Dana Palmer, CG®, CGL(SM) Obtaining German church records can be challenging unless you know where to find them. Discover the abundance of these Catholic records at Matricula Online. Visitors welcome and more information at https://egsgermangroup.wordpress.com Registration is required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIvdOGhqDgjHdA_nGKC0I4V03oDoFmQa_Zo
Monday, October 10, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Genetic Genealogy/DNA Interest Group (virtual) What’s the question? Research questions for DNA Research This group is for genealogists who use DNA data as part of their research. DNA evidence, like all genealogical evidence, cannot stand alone. So we use DNA and other research to answer questions about who is related to whom genetically, and how can we support that conclusion? Subscribe for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Genetic-Genealogy
Saturday, October 15, 2022, 9:30am PT social time; 10:00am – 11:30am PT program SKCGS General Meeting (virtual) White River Valley Museum presents “Preserving Your Family History” Do you have old family photos, clothing, or other objects in your care? Celebrate October Family History Month with White River Valley Museum Curator of Collections Hilary Pittenger and learn more about the objects in your care, including museum-quality preservation techniques.
The mission of the White River Valley Museum is to preserve and share the history of the South King County areas of Auburn, Kent, Algona, and Pacific through the operation of the museum and the historic Mary Olson Farm.
Monday, October 17, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Technical User Group (virtual) Create Your Own Locality Research Guides TUG is for sharing knowledge and learning about technology tools, media, apps and websites. Subscribe for meeting invitations and discussion: https://skcgs.groups.io/g/TUG
Friday, October 21, 2022, 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Research Group (in-person) For SKCGS members Kent Family History Center 12817 SE 256th St., Kent, WA Seating is limited RSVP REQUIRED to Winona at w.laird@skcgs.org
Monday, October 24, 2022 ⋅ 1:00pm – 3:00pm PT Genealogy Chat(virtual) Meet up and chat about genealogy subjects and topics. We have no agenda; we just like one another! For meeting invitations and discussion, join https://skcgs.groups.io/g/Society
Thursday, October 27, 2022 ⋅ 11:00am – 1:00pm PT Genealogy Help with SKCGS at the Auburn Library(in-person) Genealogy questions? SKCGS offers one-on-one help with a volunteer 1102 Auburn Way S Auburn, WA 98002 Registration not required. In-person event. Safety guidelines and current protocols followed. More information at King County Library, email kcls-auburn@kcls.org Tuesday, November 1, 2022, 6:30pm PT SKCGS Board of Directors Meeting (virtual) All SKCGS members are invited to attend; only Officers and Directors may vote. Write to Board@skcgs.org for the meeting link. Friday, November 4, 2022, 12:30 – 2:30 pm PT EGS German Interest Group (virtual) “Using German Newspapers” by Carol Whitton, CG®
Learn how to read German newspaper print and find those newspapers in the U.S. and Germany.
Saturday, November 5, 2022, 10:00am – 12:00pm PT Family Tree Maker Users Group (virtual) Question & Answer. Each month, we will learn about using the features of FTM. Go to https://skcgs.groups.io/g/FTMUG for meeting link, meeting reminders and discussion.
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SOUTH KING COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PO BOX 582 AUBURN, WASHINGTON 98071-0582
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