I’ve been compiling this information for quite a while. It is based on queries I have received from some of you, as well as any information I thought you might find useful. You’ll find everything from ghost walks to ghost hunting tips here.
Ghost Hunting 101
TYPES OF HAUNTINGS
Residual: This is when a specific event has been imprinted and caught in time. The same scene or events is seen again and again. It does not vary because it is merely a playback of a past event. There are no spirits involved, it is just a recording of a past event. It is not an interactive haunting. Some of the most famous (documented) hauntings are residual.
Classical: This is when a spirit is trying to interact with you, such as being seen or heard.
Note: Some people do not believe in ghosts. If a place is haunted, they believe it is by demons. Others believe “demonic (negative) energies” are rare and completely different than ghostly activity. Some believe that “demonic energies” and poltergeists are the same thing. According to Wikipedia, “a poltergeist is a paranormal phenomenon which consists of events alluding to the manifestation of an imperceptible entity. Such manifestation typically includes inanimate objects moving or being thrown about, sentient noises (such as impaired knocking, pounding, scratching, or banging) and, on some occasions, physical attacks on those witnessing the events.”
HOW MIGHT A GHOST APPEAR?
Typically, ghosts are heard, smelled, or sensed rather than seen. However, ghosts are sometimes seen. They may appear as apparitions. This can be a silhouette or shadowy figure or something much more defined. Many people believe that orbs or light anamalies are ghostly manifetations. Most of the time, what someone perceives to be a ghost sighting is nothing more than dirt or dust or water on the camera lens (or processing error) or some trick of light.
HOW MIGHT A GHOST INDICATE HIS PRESENCE?
There are numerous ways. Here is a partial list:
*cold spots
*tapping
*footsteps
*opening doors
*knocking
*whispering or speaking or moaning/groaning
*laughter or giggling or crying
*moving objects
*touching (pinching, pulling, pushing, shoving, shaking, caressing, etc.)
*turning on and off lights
*turning on and off water faucets
*door bell ringing
*stomping
*odors (smoke or tobacco or perfume/cologne or food cooking/baking or flowers, etc.)
*throwing objects
Ghostly Glossary
Apparition:ghostly figure; a specter.Cold Spot:area or place that is much colder than surrounding area. Thermometers are used to measure temperature changes.Electro Magnetic Field Meter (EMF): Ghosts disturb the electro magnetic energy in an area so this helps gauge their presence. Note that other things can affect an EMF, such as electronic devices.
Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVP): This is used to record supernatural audio. If you ask questions, such as “Is there a ghost here among us?” Be sure to pause after you ask so that you can hear a ghostly response when you playback the recording. Note: A hand held tape or digital recorder will also work well with an external microphone.
Extra Sensory Perception (ESP): Ability to see or sense something before it happens, commonly believed to be psychic.
Exorcism: A religious rite to get rid of evil spirits.
Orb: anomalous or unexplained energy caught on film usually in association with a haunting, high EMF readings, and cold spots. They range in size and color, although typically white and spherical. Some paranormal experts say they are nothing more than human errors while photographing or processing images.
Out-of-body-experience: a feeling of transcending one’s own body to experience the world from a different perspective.
Paranormal: any event or object that defies scientific explanation or knowledge
Poltergeist: a haunting that involves noisy spirits but with no visible manifestations.
Psychokenesis: to move objects using one’s mind without physical contact
Reincarnation: the belief that when a person dies the spirit is reborn in another body.
Psycho Kinetic Activity: movement of objects by spirits and the movement of objected caused by living persons with extreme emotions.
Spirits: a former living person who has returned to their original home location and appear as orbs, mist, vortexes, or shadows.
Vortex: energy that takes the shape of a tube in a photograph. The size and color vary greatly.
Ghost Investigation Groups
Note: There are lots of other groups but I have only included For more information, do an online search for ghost groups and meetup groups in your area.
*If you’re wanting to find a local group, the best thing to do is to conduct an online search using key words. A couple of good places to start include www.ghosthunting101.com and www.paranormal.about.com
ECHO (East Coast Hauntings Organization) has been around since 2001. They are headquartered in Martinsburg, Virginia and Greenville, NC. They investigate anything along the east coast, especially Virginia, NC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. http://www.ghostecho.com/
Haunted NC Paranormal Research and Investigations (formerly SEVEN Paranormal Research)is one of the oldest ghost groups, originating back in 1992. Based in Raleigh, this group goes wherever there are ghosts! Check out their website for details on their many investigations, www.hauntednc.com
LIVE Paranormal Investigations. For all you ghost-hunting enthusiasts out there, this San Francisco group broadcasts their investigations live on the web, so you can watch as they hunt. Past hunts are archived for viewing. livescifi.tv
Metrolina Paranormal Research is a Charlotte area ghost hunting group that meets regularly (every other Tuesday) but also participates in upstate SC and western NC outings) http://metrohauntings.faithweb.com/
NC H.A.G.S. (NC Haints, Apparitions, Ghosts and Spirits) is a Raleigh group but has done some Wilmington area investigations. www.nchags.org
Paranormal Search and Investigation Group (PSIG) is in the Myrtle Beach area. http://www.angelfire.com/ct2/PDIG/PSIG1.html
Rhine Research Center, Institute for Parapyschology does not offer ghost investigations but is a great resource. They offer educational opportunities, ongoing research, and host discussion groups, such as a weekly psychic group. 2741 Campus Walk Avenue, Building 500, Durham, NC 27705. (919) 309-4600. www.rhine.org
SC Paranormal Research Group is in the Columbia area. http://www.angelfire.com/sc2/scparanormalgroup/
More Ghostly Resources
American Ghost Society, (www.prairieghosts.com)
Ghost Research Society, The (www.ghostresearch.org)
International Society for Paranormal Research (www.ispr.net)
T.A.P.S. (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) (www.the-atlantic-paranormal-society.com)
Ghost Hunting Tips
- Never go alone. Go with a ghost hunting group or friend(s). Pick someone that shares your interest. You don’t want to go with someone who isn’t serious, who is just going to make jokes or make fun of you. But whatever you do, don’t go alone. It is dangerous to go poking around lonely dark woods or a deserted property alone. If you got hurt, there is no one to help you or to go get help. Cell phones are great but you could be in a no service area or the battery could die. It is also advisable to let someone who is not participating know where you will be that night. If you have car trouble or fall through rotting steps and are trapped in a basement, someone will eventually come rescue you when you are not back at the expected time.
- Do not trespass. You could get arrested or bitten by a guard dog or shot!
- Do your research. Make sure you’re at the right place. Be sure of what you’re looking for (Is it a lady in a white dress that can be seen in the rear window or a child sometimes seen swinging on the porch or both?) or listening for (Is it a man moaning or a child crying?) or smelling(Is is the smell of a pipe or a woman’s perfume?). Don’t wear cologne or perfume. Don’t drink alcohol or smoke. Don’t bring food. Don’t laugh and talk. You may miss something paranormal if you’re distracted or mask the sound or odor.
- Take a flashlight and extra batteries. You don’t want to trip over a tree root or walk through poison ivy! If you’re going into an old building, be careful of loose floorboards or bad stairs.
- Don’t run out and buy sophisticated ghost hunting equipment. I know, the temptation is high. This stuff is way cool! That said, the equipment you can purchase is discussed in another part of this site. The best advice is to just start with a journal and camera. Write down anything you notice. How do you feel? Did you experience a strange feeling or feel a cold spot? Did you hear anything abnormal? Take photos to document the scene. Also, something interesting could turn up on the photos. I’m in the minority that orbs don’t count. The guys from Ghost Hunters have the same opinion and gave a good talk about this at a paranormal conference I attended last year. Anyway, start with knowing or discovering what you want to research. Go online to begin but be wary of that information. I have found most stuff online to be wrong or ridiculous, but it is a good starting point. Check newspaper archives and clipping files at libraries. Talk to librarians and locals. Read regional ghost books. These are great resources. Someone has already done most of the work for you. Talk to former residents or employees if it’s a haunted house, inn, lighthouse or restaurant, etc.
- How should you document your findings? Start with the suggested journal and camera. Have a list of questions prepared to answer, such as what time of night did you begin your investigation and who was with you and where exactly where you were when you saw or felt something. Write down everything that night while it is fresh in your mind. You can reorganize it later on but record your findings as soon as possible.
- If you’re interested in starting your own ghost group, here are some things to consider: How often do you want to meet? How often do you want to conduct investigations? Do you want to open up your group to strangers or keep it small and friends only to start with? How much equipment do you want to use? Who will be responsible for what? Who will be the lead EVP investigator? Who will be the lead EMP investigator? Will you have a website? Who will create and update your website and be your media person? Who will analyze video footage? Who will be the president? It may be your idea but are you an organized person who has good leadership qualities? Will you charge dues to pay for gas and equipment or just use your car and camera? My best advice is to go on at least a couple of ghost investigations with two different groups before starting your own group.
Ghost Hunting Equipment
*I have included a comprehensive list but only serious ghost hunters should invest in some of this equipment as it can be costly and some is controversial, such as the divining rods.
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Compass
- Map and directions
- Cell phone
- First Aid Kit
- Walkie Talkies
- Digital Camera and extra batteries (make sure all lenses are clean before begin investigation)
- Digital Video Camcorder and extra batteries
- Thermal Imaging Camera and extra batteries
- Small cassette recorder or digital micro recorder with external microphone or some kind of audio recorder (for EVPs) and extra batteries
- Wristwatch
- Journal and Pen (can include witness questionnaire and questions you want answered regarding investigation)
- Jacket or raincoat and good all-terrain shoes
- Waterproof case for your equipment
- ElectroMagnetic Field Meter (EMF Detector)
- Night Vision Goggles
- Spectrometer
- Motion Detector
- Digital Thermometer (for noting hot or cold spots)
- Divining rods (tracks energy fluctuations if used correctly, do baseline test before begin and note electrical outlets, etc. to avoid false readings)
SOME THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU SET OUT
1. A ghost may haunt a location because it doesn’t know how to move on or has unfinished business or just doesn’t want to leave a place, perhaps because there is a connection with a loved one or they were happy while living there. It is important to be respectful of the “living dead.”
2. Contrary to popular belief, a new home or building may be haunted due to different factors. For instance, the land itself may have a history. Or an object that is “haunted or cursed” may have been brought into the edifice.
3. Most ghosts do not like renovations. Whenever old buildings or homes are renovated, ghostly activity seems to increase. It can range from tools being moved from where they were left to a new location or workmen being pushed or shoved. I suppose it depends on how upset the spirit is about what is happening!
4. You can find ghosts anywhere, from new houses to abandoned buildings. Also, it is a common misconception that ghosts are only seen at night. Ghostly activity can occur any time of day or night. Ghosts tend to be shy, preferring to reveal themselves to only or two people rather than a group. It is one thing to document ghostly activity but I do not recommend trying to get in touch with the spirit world. This is a whole other thing and something we should never do. In my opinion, this includes Ouija boards!
5. The best way to get rid of a ghost is to ask. Be nice. Be polite. Be respectful.
Ghost Resources
*These websites include paranormal investigations, ghost books, a list of haunted places, articles, ghost pictures, blogs, news, and more.
Cool
Thank you for tips. May I wish to give more tips about Ghost Hunting.