Graveyard Ghost Hunters Beware

If you’ve ever gone ghost hunting, odds are you’ve been to at least one graveyard hunt, either during the day, or at night. While it may be interesting during the day, it is more fun at night, simply for the “boo factor.” However, there are a few things you should know before you strike out at night heading for your local graveyard.

1. Observe the hours of the graveyard you are visiting. If you will be there later, ask permission. Those that don’t follow this rule can be arrested for trespassing. You can also ruin it for the rest of the people who like to ghost hunt and can actually follow the rules.

2. Know where you are going. Visit the graveyard during the day so you know the lay of the land. Graveyards can be dangerous at night, especially in areas that weren’t laid out on a grid like most graveyards are today. Older graveyards can be especially dangerous in the dark.

3. Don’t move or change anything in a graveyard. You are there to observe, period. How would you like someone to come to your house and start moving things around?

4. Always come prepared. Carry your equipment in padded bags (protect cameras from bumps on granite headstones). Put items, such as EVP equipment, in easy to find pockets of your bags. Always carry flashlights and extra batteries.

5. Never travel alone, even if you are familiar with the area. If something were to happen to you, even a twisted ankle, there wouldn’t be anyone close by to assist you.

The summer months are perfect for conducting ghost hunts in graveyards. However, it is hallowed ground and you should show the proper respect when visiting these areas. Many towns have security or police that frequent the graveyards, looking for kids partying or defacing the area. If you will be there after hours, always seek permission so security personnel will know you are there.

Have fun and be safe!

Charlotte, Ghosts4You.com

Psychics – Real or Fraudulent?

It is really easy to be a skeptic – I’m sure there are plenty of people who check out this blog and think I’ve lost my mind! Well, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’ve worked in law enforcement, so I think I have a healthy dose of skepticism for all things paranormal and always cast an eye of caution towards individuals claiming to help to find the dead.

I used to think it was pretty weird that people could connect with dead people who need to be found, until it happened to me. Without going into detail, I can honestly say that it is possible to connect with the dead, and when you least expect it. My story is pretty simple: I’ve had “abilities” since I was about 11 years old and I’ve had intermittent experiences for most of my adult life (some 30 years now). Personally, I don’t get involved in any investigations other than helping out as a civilian when things arise in my area. The bottom line: I don’t advertise any services.

Obviously, I’m fascinated by other people who have similar abilities, especially those that have demonstrated abilities and have worked with law enforcement to solve crimes and recover the dead. I’ve read on some other websites that there is no evidence of this, but there is. There are psychics that have helped law enforcement, and you can see their stories, including the officers who they work with, on Psychic Investigators.

I urge you to check out this television show’s website if for no other reason than curiosity. The shows are pretty interesting to watch, especially if you have an interest in how missing persons/homicide investigations are worked and solved. Some cases are solved by psychics who live hundreds of miles away from where the crimes have taken place – pretty amazing by anyone’s standards.

Haunted Breast Implants

Okay, on the humorous side, this headline definitely caught my eye.  I had to think about how breast implants could become haunted in the first place.  Did surgeons re-use breast implants from dead people?  Did an evil spirit take up residence in silicone?  Just how exactly does one discover they have haunted breast implants to begin with?  Do  they start doing things independent of normal movement?  Do they twirl like a stripper’s pasties?

If you are tittering hopelessly by now, you aren’t alone.  As it turns out, this was a telephone prank pulled by Crank Yankers (Comedy Central) on a paranormal investigator.

Want to learn more about this (assuming you can stop laughing long enough to click this link)?  Check out Rochester Paranormal (New York) here.

Author- Mark Nesbitt – Ghosts of Gettysburg

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting author Mark Nesbitt.  I had traveled to Gettysburg, PA to take a trip on their new Ghost Train (Pioneer Lines Scenic Railway).  My trip on the train coincided with his book signing, also at the railway.

Mr. Nesbitt has written a series of books, Ghosts of Gettysburg.  I had purchased books from this series on previous trips to Gettysburg, but what an unexpected surprise to meet this author!  He was very congenial and signed my latest acquisition, Ghosts of Gettysburg VI:  Spirits, Apparitions and Haunted Places of the Battlefield.  We spoke briefly, and he told me that he was leaving all of his notes and stories to the Adams County Historical Society.  (Let’s hope nothing happens to him soon!).  This was one of the rare occasions that I’ve had a book signed and wasn’t shooed off immediately by a  “author handler.”   If you ever have the chance to meet this charming author, you won’t be disappointed!

By the way, I was on the first trip ever for their new Ghost Train.  If you have time when you visit Gettysburg, take a trip on this railway (ghost train, mystery train or whichever  other trip you choose).  It is very comfortable, the guides are fun and informative and you may learn a little about the local countryside, and of course, ghosts.

Charlotte Gerber, Editor

Ghosts4You.com

Syracuse Ghost Hunters

Today’s shout out goes to Syracuse Ghost Hunters in New York. There apparently is more going on in this town and surrounding area than S.U.s quest for men’s college basketball supremacy.

That being said, this group promises to keep your ghost investigation confidential and strictly scientific. There is no charge for their services. Their goal is to get photographic evidence of a haunting, so hopefully your ghosts are photogenic! Drop them an email (serious inquiries only!) by filling out the form on their website.

Happy Ghost Hunting!

Charlotte Gerber, Editor

ghosts4you.com

The Atlantic Paranormal Society

Check out our new article on The Atlantic Paranormal Society.  Joy J. Fine takes us through the history of this paranormal investigation/ghost hunter group to their current fame on television.

Ghost Chasers International

Learn about paranormal investigator Patti Starr on this interesting website, Ghost Chasers International. Patti is a noted ghost hunter and has made appearances on Paranormal State and Airline, both on A&E. She is a noted speaker and college professor at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, KY where she teaches several courses on ghost hunting.

Patti is always busy researching the paranormal and attending speaking engagements. She invites you to take a look around her informative website as well as the only “Ghost Hunter Store” in Kentucky.

There is also information on her site about the ScareFest to be held in Lexington, KY on September 12-14, 2008.