Changeling? - Census

[Treetotal]

That's the first time I have seen that. It is sad but the name is preferable to imbecile.
Carol

[Rena]

I've been wracking my brain trying to recall why I knew what a changeling was.

It's just dawned on me that my first knowledge was at school.   

There was a Changeling in Shakespeare's  "A Midsummer Night's Dream":

[majm]

In rural New South Wales the term was used up until very recently.  I was born 1947,  and my best friend from infants school has many siblings.  Her youngest brother has Downs.  Their mum always attributed this to her age ... she used the expression ... 'change of life' . In  her 1997 will she referred to him as 'my beloved changeling' ... after he was born she had  refused to let the medicos commit him and he was raised within the family, on their farm.  I wonder if changeling indicates Downs or is it broader ...

JM

[sparrett]

Hannah Kent has written an amazing book, "The Good People" set in 1820's Ireland, and based upon a true story.

Such children were treated cruelly and subjected to all sorts of "spells" and "cures' and community rituals to appease the fairies who made the substitution.

A grim but gripping narrative.
Sue

[majm]

Libraries are fantastic ... they even still have real  books available.   

JM

[Viktoria]

Re a child being called a changeling ,jokingly ,when they were not like most members of the family,
I can remember ordinary children who differed physically or in behaviour especially if a bit naughty,being described as being found in the back street after the dustbin lorry had done its rounds!
Alternatively the rag bone man had not collected them.
My sister was found in s rose,I in a cabbage!
Life was hard and mothers harder!
Viktoria.

[Viktoria]

Re a child being called a changeling ,jokingly ,when they were not like most members of the family,
I can remember ordinary children who differed physically or in behaviour especially if a bit naughty,being described as being found in the back street after the dustbin lorry had done its rounds!
Alternatively the rag bone man had not collected them.
My sister was found in s rose,I in a cabbage!
Life was hard and mothers harder!
Viktoria.

[Sinann]

I never knew the term was used for real people I've only ever read it in old Irish myths.  One that comes to mind the changeling turns into a very old woman when exposed to sun light. My grand mother used to talk about protection infants from the fairies at Halloween in case they were taken and a changeling left in their place.

[Finley 1]

just ordered that book    2.75 on ebay

xin