I do love a good ghost story, even better yet- a haunted book! Perhaps you haven’t yet heard about the haunted book in the DePauw University’s Library Archives in Greencastle, IL. Hoosier State Paranormal investigated the archives on January 20. This particular ghost story is about a book- one particular book: The Poems of Ossian, The Son of Fingal. This book is in former Governor James Whitcomb’s collection that he donated in the early 1800’s.

As legend has it, one student was really enjoying reading this book to the point he couldn’t put it down. Instead of leaving it in the library, he snuck out of the library with it and took it home with him to read. That night, he felt a presence in his room. When he strained in the darkness to see who could be in his room, he saw a spectral finger pointing at him and a voice that asked “Who stole Ossian?”

The student was scared half to death and promptly returned the book the next day. This particular story was what prompted Hoosier State Paranormal to investigate this book. The night of the investigation they recorded two EVP’s. You can listen to them here: EVP Evidence.

If you’d like to learn more about their investigation, check out their website: Hoosier State Paranormal.

As promised, I’ve finally located some of my more interesting photos of my trips to Gettysburg.  A little background information – I go on lots of ghost tours, mainly throughout the north-east and mid-Atlantic states.  I’ve never had the kinds of problems that I do with my camera equipment anywhere except in Gettysburg.  I use 2-3 different cameras, usually one Canon 35mm and several digital cameras, primarily an Olympus.  I’m one of those people that carries lots of extra film and batteries, so I’m pretty much prepared for anything.

On my latest trip to Gettysburg, my 35mm did some really weird things on the trolley tour.  It started taking photos by itself while we were walking through the campus area.  Particularly in front of what was the hospital (it is now the administration building).  I wear my camera around my neck when walking around, and I have to admit, when it started snapping away, I was a little surprised to say the least, as were other people in my group.

At any rate, I always get some interesting photos, mainly of light streaks in various colors.  In one particular photo on the trolley, it looks as if there is a green face hovering in the window.  I’ll leave it up to those viewing the pictures as to what they see.  Personally, I’d just like to get some photos without all of the orbs and lights zipping through my photos!

You can view some of these photos from one of my visits to Gettysburg on my website: Gettysburg Ghost Pictures

Here are a few from my most recent visit (shown in the order they were taken). Click on the link to view each photo:

Ghost Lights

Administration Building Sentry Walk

Haunted Camera

Gettysburg Campus Admin Bldg – I don’t know what the black shadow is on this photo of the Admin Bldg (formerly the hospital during the civil war).  There weren’t any objects around me, or other people since I’d gone over by myself to take this photo.  It isn’t my hand either, since it would have been snapping the photo, not in front of the lens, and I have long nails.  If this is a hand, I don’t know who it belongs to!

If anyone else has had this problem with the crazy lights in the photos, drop me a line.  I’d be interested in knowing what kind of camera was being used at the time and where the photos were taken.  You can also submit photos to me on my website, ghosts4you.com.

Here’s a great resource I want to share with all of you ghost hunters out there who are interested in doing real research, not just breaking into abandoned buildings. The website, Ghost Science, has a nice collection of free ghost hunting forms that you can use when you, or your group, goes on their next ghost hunting expedition.

Forms you will find on this site include:

• Cover Sheet
• Room Grid
• Area Grid
• Photo Log
• Video Log
• Room Data and Info- for recording temp, humidity, EMF and electrical readings
• Room Data and Info 2 – for recording all other types of info, like cold spots and EVPs
• Confidentiality
• Permission Forms

All of these forms are in a PDF format, so you’ll need to have Adobe Reader installed on your computer first.

Why re-create the wheel when you could just download and use these forms? I’m using these with my group, Southern Tier Paranormal.

Good luck with your next ghost hunt, and now you’ll have some cool forms to record all of the information!

If you know of any free form websites to share, please leave them below in the comments box.

Rochester Haunts: A Ghost Hunter’s Guide is an informal guidebook for those interested in paranormal happenings throughout Rochester, New York and the surrounding towns. This book will help individuals and groups that perform their own paranormal research locate the most haunted sites in the region. Whether you are interested in reading a good ghost story or simply like to tour haunted buildings and cemeteries, this book provides this and much more.

For those new to ghost hunting, check out the introduction for quick tips on essential equipment for paranormal research expeditions. Learn why audio recorders are well worth the investment and how pendulums and dowsing rods can add a new level to any paranormal investigation. Interested in a really good ghost story? Read chapter nine to find out about the Demon in the Mirror. This chilling true story about a family being terrorized Greece, New York may make you question whether ghost hunting is a fun pastime or something best left to the professionals.

The information found in this book is unique because it doesn’t simply recount well-known stories; in many instances it provides first hand accounts by those who were directly involved in the paranormal research described or had lived or worked in the haunted locations.  You’ll get detailed information (that is not easily found on the Internet) about each haunted place that is included in the book.  

Additionally, this book provides users with a glossary of common terms used by paranormal investigators as well as a plethora of photos taken by witnesses of paranormal events. To top it off, author Dwayne Claud makes it very easy for readers to find the haunted locations described throughout the book by providing website and physical addresses for most of the locations, with the exception of private residences.

Pick up your own copy of this must-have ghost hunting book by visiting Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Borders and Walden Books.

I was reading some blog entries for a local newspaper in Shreeveport about the upcoming paranormal convention this year, Le Festival D’Esprits. One entry stated, “The Wackos are coming. The Wackos are coming.” I’m not really thin-skinned about this. In fact, I find it kind of humorous.

People who try new things are always ahead of their time. They are called crazy, lunatics or a few bricks short of a load. Whether or not paranormal creatures and ghosts really exist is still speculative, but just think of the good laugh everyone will have if their existence is ever proven to be absolutely true. People would finally have to concede that the crazy neighborhood ghost hunting group was right all along- and they had fun doing it.

Personally, I belong to several paranormal groups. We don’t just spend our time ghost hunting. We love talking about paranormal books on the market, television shows, debating the existence of the paranormal, demonology and much more. We have fun simply as friends enjoying each other’s company. (Notice, I keep saying “fun”).

So, for those out there who simply think we’re all wackos, you just don’t get it. We come from all walks of life, are skeptics, as well as believers and most of us are quite simply looking to have a little fun in our humdrum lives.

Quit being a stick in the mud and join us! We won’t bite unless you want us to

As always, I was surfing the net for news of the  strange and came across this odd little story (along with real ghost pictures!).  Apparently, a tourist was taking photos in those famous Niddry Street vaults in Edinburgh.  Of course everyone who has a sense of adventure goes on these ghost tours, but these particular vaults have been getting a lot of attention lately, especially in light of the fact they were featured on Most Haunted.  One tourist snapped quite a few photos and there appears to be a few skeletons appearing in those photos, on the wall, and one that looks like it is sitting in a crumpled position on the floor.  While I leave what is in these photos up to the viewers imagination, it does make for some interesting conversation.

If you are like other people who viewed them, they believe it is just stains on the wall (or a bit of undigested meat- there is more gravy than grave… about them… Charles Dickens )

Check this link to see the series of photos – Edinburgh Skeleton Ghosts

Have you ever wanted to learn more about ghost hunting, but were afraid to ask? I recently had the pleasure of interviewing paranormal investigator, Dwayne Claud on LoveToKnow’s Paranormal channel.

Dwayne shared information on his books, Rochester Haunts: A Ghost Hunter’s Guide and Baptism By Fire (real life accounts on demonology).

Mr. Claud gives advice on things that you can do to have a successful ghost hunting experience, as well as things you should NEVER do (hint: provoking ghosts doesn’t always get you the desired results!).

Check out my interview here – Interview: Ghost Hunting Tips from Dwayne Claud.

One of my favorite websites to visit is American Hauntings , a.k.a. Prairie Ghosts. Troy Taylor heads up the website, as well as a few ghost tours, ghost hunts and conferences in the Decatur, Illinois area. Mr. Taylor has also written quite a number of books on ghosts, most recently he penned Sex and the Supernatural.

Aside from all of the ghost tour and book info, you’ll also find a veritable plethora of information on ghosts and paranormal happenings throughout the United States. Topics such as Summerwind (a really creepy haunted house), the Lemp Mansion, Ghosts of Zombie Road and much more are all covered on this site. I invite you to stop on by and peruse it. Perhaps you’ll even sign up for their Ghost Conference coming up soon. If you enjoy the site and you have a MySpace account, friend Troy Taylor – then you’ll receive all kinds of ghostly updates!

Have you ever wanted to start a group, but didn’t have a clue where to start? There are many people out there who have an interest in the paranormal and ghost hunting. The trouble is, getting the people together in your area.

I have a few suggestions, though I’m not telling people what to do. Personally, I’ve had success using MeetUp.com and I have friends who use Yahoo Groups . The difference is mainly one uses a paid service while the other is free. It depends on how organized you are and whether you’re a techie sort. Even though I am a techie, I enjoy using MeetUp.com to get information out, invite new members and I have control over how our group’s page looks. In addition, if you don’t have a lot of contacts, this is one way to find people who share your interest. The system will identify people in your area and, once you’ve set up your account, help you send emails out inviting them to your meeting. Again- I’m only suggesting using this service since I’ve had luck using it. I haven’t set up any groups through Yahoo, but I belong to several. It ain’t pretty, but it works!

Once you get the idea to form a group, the next thing to do is make plans. Group members are going to want interesting things to do- like ghost hunts, interesting speakers/lecturers and other planned activities. I found that once word got out about my group that other people started contacting me. How cool is that? People that formed other group in my region, authors and lecturers began asking about my group. All I had to do is plan my meetings around these people and the group was off and running.

I’m not saying that it will be easy to start a group. You need an idea of exactly what you want to accomplish before you begin, and a way to communicate effectively with all of the members. The effort is well worth it though. You’ll make new friends, learn a lot and maybe even become a little famous in your area. Just remember to have fun with what you are doing (don’t take yourself too seriously) and it will rub off on other members.

Since I can’t really do a formal poll to include every haunted place in the world, I thought I’d ask my readers to tell me about their favorite ghost tours that they have ever been on – and I’ll share the results, assuming some of you let me in on your faves.

My personal favorite has been the Savannah Ghost Tours (I’ve been on the walking ones and the Trolley ones).  My guides have always been pretty good, and they were willing to answer questions afterwards.  Some tours I’ve been on have hustled us on because they had scheduled another one directly after.

I’d also have to give a thumbs up to the Haunted Trolley Tour in Gettysburg as one of the more interesting tours I’ve been on.  I got some excellent photos on that particular tour.  I also had to stay on the trolley when my son fell asleep on my lap, so the driver told me quite a few stories of his own since he had grown up there.  I think those stories were creepier than any I had ever heard from the actual tour guides!

So please, tell me about your experiences and ones that I should definitely go on.  I’m gearing up for another summer of travel up and down the Eastern seaboard and the mid-Atlantic states.  I’m all ears!