tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127480592024-03-07T14:16:51.842-05:00Ghosthunter LGhosthunter Elle's online journal...Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-14452353873006400362009-10-04T23:59:00.002-04:002009-10-05T00:05:22.440-04:00It's That Time of the Year...This weekend I was sitting with friends, watching a slew of paranormal shows. Former ghosthunters themselves, they commented on how pervasive paranormal shows have become. Where once, shows like "Haunted History" and "Haunted Travels" and the occasional "Haunting in..." were the only ones, now they are a dime a dozen. We wondered if it was a good thing, in that the public was now used to seeing them. Does this make them more likely to believe it?<br /><br />I was reading through this blog and smiled. I had a good time as a ghosthunter. I enjoyed visiting the historic sites and talking with folks. Sometimes I miss it.<br /><br />I figured, I might as well revive this blog a bit. Post the case histories, maybe a few EVPs I caught over the years...who knows?Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1169047013223972792007-01-17T07:16:00.000-05:002007-01-17T10:16:53.306-05:00DCMAG Has FoldedWell, it's official. The group I've been hunting with for years, DCMAG, has folded. It was inevitable and it was time. So many ghost groups don't last very long for the usual reasons such as time, egos, apathy, member attrition, boredom, burnout--even the best of them it seems. I've seen and experienced it before with the Ghost Hunters of Baltimore. DCMAG was no different.<br /><br />I'll be honest. After the members' recent trip to Ireland in November (I didn't go this year), there was a split. A split in both how people felt about each other as friends and colleagues, and a split in viewpoints about the group itself and the direction it was going in. Frank has started a new group, <strong><a href="http://www.adventuremyths.net">adventuremyths.net</a></strong>, and Al has turned his attention to his interest in other aspects of the metaphysical nature of the paranormal/supernatural. I really do wish them both the best of luck in their new pursuits.<br /><br />Me? I'll still post accounts and interesting tidbits about ghosts and the paranormal, but after 4 years, my days as a ghosthunter doing investigations are done. To everyone I've worked with during investigations, it's been a pleasure and a privilege.<br /><br />I can't say that I'm not relieved. It spared me from resigning, as I was going to do a few months ago after the Pry House investigation. I had been telling my husband and friends that I was going to drop the group for quite a while now. Those who really know me, know this. While I am sad that it is gone and will miss everyone a lot, it's okay as I now have more time for my art and writing.<br /><br />Maybe I'll even learn to play a mean guitar...Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1164985760615522372006-11-26T23:55:00.000-05:002006-12-01T10:12:03.626-05:00Manassas: Ben LomondWe recently had the pleasure of visiting the <strong><a href="http://www.co.prince-william.va.us/default.aspx?topic=030011001170001840">Ben Lomond House</a></strong> in Manassas, Virginia. About 2 mi. from the <strong><a href="http://www.nps.gov/mana/">Manassas Battlefield</a></strong>, the Ben Lomond House was built in 1832. "Ben" is the Gaelic word for "mount/mountain", and is named after a place in Scotland (Mount Lomond). The staff have had some experiences: voices, noises, a music stand being turned and also found dismantled. I did a basic history report, but we all went in a little blind for this one. The house is being restored and they're also about to do an archaeological and grounds survey soon as well. Exciting! As it was used as a field hospital during the Civil War, they have also preserved graffitti on the walls that many of the soldiers left.<br /><br />We got some good EVP there. For one of the best ones, I was standing near a fireplace by myself across the room from the guys as Al asked questions, but my recorder was the only one to get it--a response to one of Al's comments. An interesting thing is that Al said that he felt that the ghost was that of an older man--too old to have been a soldier at the time, at least in his 50s with gray hair and moustache. The curator told us at the end of the evening that a 65-year old soldier from Georgia did die in the house and it's noted in papers in Duke U. because of his age and not common knowledge.<br /><br />The house is maintained by Prince William County and is open to visitors during normal hours.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1115843903714212812006-11-16T19:38:00.000-05:002006-12-01T09:55:00.966-05:00Ireland: Leap Castle<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/oubliette.0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/200/oubliette.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/elementaldoor.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/200/elementaldoor.jpg" border="0" /></a> I watched the episode of <a href="http://www.scifi.com/ghosthunters/"><strong>Ghost Hunters</strong></a> on SciFi last night where they visited Leap Castle in Ireland. Above are photos of the famous oubliette in the Bloody Chapel and the door to the elemental's corridor that I took during my visit there with DCMAG and the knowledgeable <strong><a href="http://ghosterelle.blogspot.com/2006/03/barry-fitzgerald-of-shrouded-steps.html">Barry Fitzgerald</a></strong> in 2004.<br /><br />I'll go more into the experience that is Irish ghosts when I talk about Ross Castle (brrr). Leap has had quite a history in terms of the paranormal. A bloody past, a lady of the house who tinkered around with calling forth things that she shouldn't have, and God knows what else, but Leap fits the criteria for a haunted place. We didn't have anything unusual happen during our 2004 visit, but the 2003 visit was more eventful. You can read Al's account of that first trip to Leap <strong><a href="http://ghostmag.com/issues/2004-02/2004-02-Chasers-AlTyas.html">here</a></strong>.<br /><br />More photos and info about Leap and our experiences are available <strong><a href="http://www.dchauntings.com/id24.html">here</a></strong>.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1162306747024814212006-10-31T09:57:00.000-05:002006-10-31T10:00:32.860-05:00Today's the Day!<a href="http://www.ellenkay.com/images/elleghoul.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ellenkay.com/images/elleghoul.jpg" border="0" /></a> It's Halloween! Get your ghoul on!<br /><br />Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1162145765097001992006-10-29T13:12:00.000-05:002006-10-29T13:16:05.096-05:00In the Washington TimesHey, we're in the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/familytimes/20061028-085348-1209r.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Washington Times</span></a> today!<br /><br />Those types of articles are always so much fun to do.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1162145383610207742006-10-29T12:39:00.000-05:002006-10-29T13:32:37.246-05:00Pry House Field Hospital Museum<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/PA280749%20copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/PA280749%20copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Last night we investigated the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/archive/anti/Pry_House.htm"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pry House Field Hospital Museum</span></a>. On the grounds of the Antietam National Battlefield and operated by the National Park Service, we had the privilege of being able to investigate it as part of an annual event with <a href="http://www.wfre.com/pages/wwwc.html?feed=117666&article=1342535"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WFRE radio</span></a>. I'll just say that one of the radio staff truly got a taste of what rookie "step duty" is <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> like, lol. Thanks man, you were a trooper.<br /><br />The Pry House, built in 1844 by Philip Pry, is a brick Federal-style house that sits on a hill overlooking the fields below. It was used by Gen. McClellan as his headquarters during the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, the bloodiest day of the Civil War with over 20,000 casualties and injuries. Many of those injured soldiers were brought to the Pry barn, which was used as a field hospital until that December. Maj. Gen. Israel Richardson was mortally injured by a ball from a spherical case that struck him in his side. He died at the House on Nov. 3. It changed hands only about 2 times before being acquired by the NPS in 1974. The house was damaged by a fire in 1976 and restored to its 1862 layout and appearance.<br /><br />Sightings associated with the house have been mostly the apparition of a woman in 19th c. clothing--seen by firefighters, and workers. The legend has always wondered if it was Mrs. Richardson, who tended to her dying husband, but the museum director's son saw her once and described it as looking like the woman in the picture downstairs--Mrs. Pry.<br /><br />I can tell you one thing though...I have never been at a location that made me feel as off-balance, out of breath, woozy, and dizzy as that one. I usually get "symptoms" at haunted locations, such as lightheadedness and that stuffy, "thick" feeling. I felt "off" the whole time and didn't feel okay again until after we left.<br /><br />The Pry House is a fantastic museum to find out more about Civil War field hospitals. I was in the dark reading the displays with my flashlight and they were pretty fascinating. Medical care concepts we're familiar with now such as triage came about as a result of the Civil War.<br /><br />When working at historic sites, you have to be very careful of the objects within, as many are priceless, and know what can/can not be photographed (artifacts, office equipment...). You also have to respect any restrictions, such as no-go areas, and the location itself--as you do not want to damage it in any way. Historical site cases are always such an honor to be able to do, and for a history-lover like me? Pure bliss.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1162054063397164502006-10-28T12:28:00.000-04:002006-10-28T12:50:51.206-04:00History ReportsOne of the things that I do before I go on investigation is prepare a history report. It's literally the history of the location with any supporting info about it. I also write any questions that I have that the information has made me ask. Those questions are the things that I try to figure out or ask the owners/caretakers while there. At the last one, a historical society rep was there, which was fantastic. Not only was she able to answer all of my questions, but was able to provide me with other info as well.<br /><br />I also document the legends or hauntings associated with the house as well. Once again, separating fact from fiction. You'll find that you can debunk a legend sheerly upon the impossibility of it historically.<br /><br />I think that I'm also going to start a construction era-specific checklist of things to look for in particular-style buildings (Italianate, Georgian, Victorian, etc.), since the other thing that I do while there is to check out the walls, floors and the way the house was built/renovated. It might make my life a little easier. Construction tells a lot--as in , was it slave-built? Were there original features such as ovens or coal hatches that are no longer there? It's like having a piece of a much bigger puzzle.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1161964573964587602006-10-27T11:50:00.000-04:002006-10-27T11:57:24.930-04:00THAT HolidayOh yeah, it's coming!<br /><br />For a ghosthunter, Halloween marks the time of year when everyone has spooks and haunts on the brain. I enjoy it because it means that the networks trot out their best (and not-so-best) paranormal documentaries and shows. I <em>love</em> "A Haunting...", for instance. Any of those "haunted places"-style roundups? I'm there parked in front of the TV in a cushy chair. If you've read my earlier postings, you already know what I really think about the average "Hollywood-ized" paranormal show (don't get me started on "Ghost Whisperer"), but the documentary, real ones? Love 'em!<br /><br />Sure, I have a preference for the more true events ones, but I understand the pure entertainment value of others. What are your favorite ghost and hauntings shows?<br /><br />Tomorrow the group's doing a local radio show and they're tracking us live during an investigation. I'll let you know how that goes!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1161790781949641222006-10-25T11:32:00.000-04:002006-10-25T13:55:28.090-04:00ResponseI recently got a response back about the Waldorf investigation in my comments section about it. Look, I wasn't there that day (on the 3rd investigation), so perhaps there really was a misunderstanding on someone's part. If so, to be truly fair, I think both sides of this story should be heard and I hope they'll read this again to know that it was:<br /><br />"I know the incident being referred to. It involves a light bulb box being moved to a room with a black light. To be fair, I never claimed that the ghost moved ANYTHING. I asked who moved it and how it got there. That night, during the investigation, I walked through the kitchen and threw out a sandwich bag when I saw the box that had been moved. I picked it up and then dropped it back on the couch. I was being watched by and was speaking to one of your staff the whole time. And F. was like 6 feet behind me. Faking something would have been near impossible and would have just made me an a** and been a waste of your time. We still have things happening here on a regular basis and are VERY thankful to A. and crew for setting our minds at ease. I just wish you all had talked about this with us up front. We both feel very bad and a bit awkward that you guys think we are flakes."<br /><br />There's always another viewpoint and I thought their side should be told. Thanks to them for sharing it.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1161649598903912442006-10-23T20:07:00.000-04:002006-10-23T20:26:38.946-04:00Leesburg Questions AnsweredI can now answer my questions from my <a href="http://ghosterelle.blogspot.com/2006/10/leesburg.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">earlier post </span></a>about Glenfiddich:<br /><ol><li><span style="font-style: italic;">What's the timeline of ownership? </span>Harrison>Owner X>LeHaye>Miles (current owner)<br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">We will be there during the anniversary of this alleged ghost's death. Will something happen? </span>It did.<br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">Is there more than one? </span>We don't believe so and the haunting's consistent.<br /></li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">The young woman whose diary was found, how does she fit into everything? </span>Virginia "Jenny" Miller was a houseguest of the Harrison's and was fond of Col. Burt, who was a guest of the Harrison's as well. She kept him company after he was brought back injured.</li><li><span style="font-style: italic;">The footsteps are regularly heard on Sundays. What's the significance? </span>Actually, it doesn't match either the Battle or his death date as the 21st (in 1861) was a Saturday and the 24th, a Tuesday.<br /></li></ol>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1161648388799038302006-10-22T19:28:00.000-04:002006-10-23T20:07:28.310-04:00Back to Leesburg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/PA210769.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/PA210769.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/PA210773.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/PA210773.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We made it back to Leesburg and the <a href="http://www.mileslehane.com/history.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Glenfiddich House</span></a>. <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Privately owned</span>, the main portion of the Glenfiddich House was built in 1840 (it is attached to its original log cabin built around 1783) by Henry T. Harrison. Gen. Lee stayed there in 1862 as he recuperated from a wrist injury and it was the site of his war council while en route to Antietam. Thanks to the <a href="http://www.loudounmuseum.org/home.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Historical Society of Loudoun County</span></a> and Glenfiddich's owners, we were able to return on the 145th anniversary of the <a href="http://www.nvrpa.org/ballsbluffbattle.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Battle of Ball's Bluff</span></a>.<br /><br />On 10/21/1861, the Battle of Leesburg/Battle of Ball's Bluff was fought and the commander of the 18th Mississippi Regiment, Col. Erasmus R. Burt, was shot in the right thigh and mortally wounded. Brought to Glenfiddich (then called Harrison Hall), he was laid in the foyer before being taken to an upstairs bedroom where he died 3 days later. His ghost has been seen and experienced by both the owners and their employees (the main building is used as an office).<br /><br />Col. Burt has been heard regularly walking in the parlor on Sundays, cold rushes of air have been felt, sounds of the back door slamming although it has been locked, pacing in the hallway and even his apparition in the foyer have occurred. The owner and the employees have become used to him and coexist well with him, treating him as a protector of the house.<br /><br />We had a full team this time and ran video, EVP, and took photos. We also tried a biofeedback experiment. That was interesting. We staked out the room Burt was brought into (and where a body impression's regularly seen on the bed) and I got comfortable in a chair. Let's just say that I was calm, but the feedback machine said otherwise and it would also spike when the UV flashlight was used on me. Go fig. The purpose of that experiment is to see if a person if possibly physically affected by a spirit's presence. Something new. We tinker sometimes. Experimenting is a good thing.<br /><br />The most interesting was in the basement. It had a thick feeling, but that could've been due to the damp, mustiness of it. We noticed the floor had been redone. Turns out it was the former well/cistern. Duh. Of course! That's usually one of the first things I look for. In the back office, I stepped towards the center and my whole head tightened up and I swear, my ears started ringing and aching. When I left out of the office I was fine. We ran EVP later on in it and immediately after Al asked the spirit if it was comfortable having us there, upon playback <span style="font-style: italic;">everyone</span> in the room clearly heard a voice say "NO." That was enough for us and a DCMAG first. After hearing that, we thought it was time to wrap up, LOL. No need to tell us twice, LOL. We spoke to the owner more about her experiences and packed up.<br /><br />Having a historical society official on hand, many of my historical questions were answered. I still have some though:<br /><ol><li>The footsteps are regularly heard on Sundays. What's the significance?</li><li>Why is the Lynch House across the street so very haunted too?</li></ol>Glenfiddich is <span style="font-style: italic;">privately-owned</span>, but the public can visit many of Leesburg's haunted sites on the guided ghost tour, which is considered one of the best in the area.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1161645842199201162006-10-21T13:03:00.000-04:002006-10-23T19:28:02.080-04:00Of Suites and Inns: Fairfax<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/PA200756.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/PA200756.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Last night I was in Fairfax County. A contact of ours was staying at the beautiful <a href="http://www.bailiwickinn.com/inn/inn_history.asp"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bailiwick Inn</span></a> and invited us to come do an informal investigation. An informal for us is EVP and photos--very, very minimal. I'd even say it was a <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> informal investigation. Only 3 of us--not a full team--the contact, and another guest. You know how I feel about extras being there and this was no different--especially since the guest couldn't take it and whined and fretted and was scared of the dark. She asked me, "How can you take it (the dark)?" "You get used to it," I answered. This is why we don't like having extra tag-a-longs.<br /><br />DCMAG has visited Bailiwick before years ago and you can read about it <a href="http://www.dchauntings.com/id55.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">here</span></a>. Built between 1800-1812, it was the residence of the Gunnell and Oliver families and in a key location during the Civil War--being across from the Fairfax Court House. The first Confederate casualty took place on its lawn. Our contact was staying in the gorgeous Antonia Ford suite on the top level. That wing of the house is older and many staff members have reported experiences there. The Ford suite is where medical instruments were found and it is believed that soldiers were treated there, including amputations.<br /><br />It felt "thick" when I first went in, but that was the only time. Our EVP turned up nothing. Without further instruments or incidents, there was no way to tell anything more.<br /><br />Just to show you how I'm more scared of the living, Al (our group leader) and I were going to the car and these very drunk guys were near the back of the lot. They noticed us and started yelling obscenities and approaching us. Al and I jumped into that car so fast that you wouldn't believe it. We didn't want to stick around long enough for them to get close!Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1161049866632633572006-10-16T21:40:00.000-04:002006-10-16T21:51:06.646-04:00Leesburg<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/g_lburg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/200/g_lburg.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Right now we are working on cases around Loudoun County in Virginia. We're about to go back to a previous investigation that we had to cut short as Al sadly found out a 1/2 hour into it that his dad passed away.<br /><br />This <span style="font-style: italic;">privately-owned</span> house is a gorgeous, antebellum Italianate-style house with quite a history. I'll tell you more about it after we re-investigate. Questions I have right now are:<br /><ol><li>What's the timeline of ownership?<br /></li><li>We will be there during the anniversary of this alleged ghost's death. Will something happen?</li><li>Is there more than one?</li><li>The girl whose diary was found, how does she fit into everything?</li></ol>I'm sure I'll have more questions after my return.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1160452276195189132006-10-09T23:48:00.000-04:002006-10-09T23:52:43.370-04:00DCMAG Crew<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/DCMAGgroupshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/DCMAGgroupshot.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Here's a group shot of all of us at <a href="http://www.dchauntings.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;">DCMAG</span></a>. Lew and Mike are missing. That's me stooping and holding a picture of <a href="http://ghosterelle.blogspot.com/2006/03/barry-fitzgerald-of-shrouded-steps.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Barry</span></a>.<br /><br />Left to right: Frank, Jonathan, Me (and Barry) Michael, and Al.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1160265310764223032006-09-30T19:31:00.000-04:002006-10-11T15:29:38.273-04:00Hard Clients and HoaxingIn July and August, we did an investigation at a private residence in Waldorf. When we take on private residence clients, we try to screen them to make sure that a.) they aren't nutcases, b.) they aren't nutcases, and c.) they aren't nutcases. We really do try to check it out and help if we can. We don't necessarily want to restrict ourselves to more high profile cases at more high profile places. We enjoy private residences too, but some folks can make it hard. The team has endured homes reeking <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">overwhelmingly</span> with smoke, clients bringing folks in to watch like it's a "Come see the ghosthunters party!" and other things, but this was a new one even for us.<br /><br />The young couple said they were seeing things go by in the hall, that things were moving and/or reappearing in other places. They seemed genuine, and the hard thing about this gig is that we deal with the paranormal. Having seen and experienced some crazy stuff in the course of it, you can't just rule it out entirely after screening without a prelim. We checked the place out, came up with some theories such as activity possibly being linked to their toddler (since a lot centered on the playroom), even got what we thought was a decent EVP, and the team agreed to another follow-up. The second time, there was nothing at all to make me think it merited a follow-up. No EVP. No readings. No nothing.<br /><br />The group decided to go back and I didn't, as I went out of town. I wouldn't have if I was here. I just didn't think it deserved a 3rd visit. While there, one of our group members <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">saw </span>the client move something and blame it on a ghost. <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">What?!</span><br /><br />Hearing that, we were well, pissed. What was their motivation? To try to trick us? Let's play the ghosthunters for fools? A cry for attention? Why?<br /><br />We do not get paid for this, so when we do homes, we truly want to help. We legitimately love ghosthunting and really want to help folks out who really <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">do</span> have issues going on in their homes--and there are folks who have some crap going down in their households that affects their day-to-day lives. So hoaxers, don't waste our time, please. It's such a hard judgment call already. Don't make it harder.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1154699663914545312006-08-04T09:44:00.000-04:002006-08-04T09:54:23.923-04:00PareidoliaI was reading about pareidolia--which is the tendency for humans to recognize faces or other human traits in things like clouds or Mars landscapes or inkblot tests, etc.<br /><br />It made me think a lot about how we as ghosthunters or paranormal researchers can be affected by this. Is that human-shaped? Does that orb have a face--see the eyes and smile (oh, that one drives me <em>crazy</em>)? How texture and reflections can make us believe we are seeing human-like things.<br /><br />I remember on one investigation, we were looking at a photo. In the background was a large painting. Someone said "Is that a face?" and everyone started to seriously examine it (the photo). I took one look at it and said, "It's the reflection of the light on the surface of the painting." It had a golden matte look to it and I saw no face at all. I was kind of surprised when I felt my opinion was dismissed. I was the only one to call it that. What was wrong with <em>me</em>, right? LOL.<br /><br />I don't know, the more that I do this, the more that I need claims to be more substantial. I'm having a hard time with the little things.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1153491108654414662006-07-21T09:47:00.000-04:002006-07-21T10:45:08.246-04:00Ghost Footage Video--Hilarious!<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rci5NhQRklQ&search=ghost"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/ghostvideo.jpg" border="0" /></a>The group leader of <a href="http://dcahuntings.com/"><strong>DCMAG</strong></a> forwarded me this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rci5NhQRklQ&search=ghost"><strong>YouTube video</strong></a>...<br /><br />Although he didn't find it funny when <a href="http://ghosterelle.blogspot.com/2006/06/unruly-clients.html"><strong>this happened</strong></a> at an investigation, just to go to show that ghosthunters really do have a sense of humor, I think you will find it hilarious too.<br /><br />Going on investigation tonight. Private residence.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1153354950215647142006-07-19T20:20:00.000-04:002006-07-19T20:22:30.230-04:00Genetics & GhostsI believe that there's a genetic component to the ability to see and/or communicate with ghosts. So many people who can also have relatives or ancestors who could as well. I'm hoping to get in touch with some scientists or researchers in the future and discuss that possibility.<br /><br />After all...why not?Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1151282204120218022006-06-25T20:25:00.000-04:002006-06-25T20:39:41.226-04:00Attachments, Children, & Imaginary FriendsThere's something about kids, huh? In the same way that their infectious energy makes others gravitate towards and want to protect them, I believe it is the same with spirits.<br /><br />A lot of times you will find that activity increases in a location with the presence of a new baby or child in the household. There's a theory that their emotional energy attracts spirits. I also believe that it is also a matter of loved ones coming back to watch over or visit with them, or the spirit of the household becomes protective of them--even though they are unrelated.<br /><br />Here's a story for you. I had a great-aunt who passed away in the home that she shared with her son and his family, which included her great-grandchildren--both under 9 at the time. My cousin told me about how the younger one of the great-granddaughters would be having conversations with noone present and complained one day, "Tap! Tap! Tap! <aunt's>[Aunt's name] and her tap! tap! tap!" The granddaughter was mimicking my aunt's habit of tapping her fingers on the table.<br /><br />Pay attention to the details of their descriptions of them and things being told to them. Are they looking up or relatively even with their own height? It could be the difference between an adult and a child. What is the child saying? Does activity seem to center around or on the child? These are things to look for. Sometimes those imaginary friends aren't so imaginary at all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></aunt's>Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1151026696418627202006-06-22T21:27:00.000-04:002006-07-20T12:34:26.520-04:00Unruly ClientsUsually when we go on an investigation, our clients actually welcome us there. They understand that we're there for a purpose--usually to help them figure out what is going on at their home or business or location. We don't get paid to do this. We really do enjoy just helping out. To be honest, my group does a lot of background before a case to see if it even has merit before sending the team out there. If it seems like somewhere worth our time--even if it's a more subtle haunting at a private residence where the owners just need comfort that they're not nuts--we'll go and check it out. After the prelim, if it's deemed worthy of follow-up, we'll return.<br /><br />For the first time in my 6-year ghosthunting career, I went on a case where the clients weren't too happy to see us. This was a public/private place and it seems that the first time we were there, the clients made fun of the agents' work, wearing a white sheet like a ghost and making "ghostly" noises. This didn't go over well with the team at all (I wasn't present) and it seems, a resident spirit too. The team was reluctant to return. For good reason, I'd say--although when I saw the pics, found the sheet ghost hilarious.<br /><br />The second time, they gave us our space, although I'll admit that they were not aware that we were coming (the contact wasn't there and hadn't reminded her colleagues), which was very unnerving. One reason offered was that we had a certain room's lights out and noone likes going there when they're out. They seemed on their best behavior this time compared.<br /><br />So, here's a lesson learned: Make sure your contact person is going to be present to act as a buffer and liaison and confirm, confirm, confirm. Honestly, many of them had first-hand experiences and I strongly believe there's something unusual going on there--as these particularly clients would have absolutely no reason to lie. However, based upon the quiet of the 2nd investigation and our lack of definitive findings, I'd have to call it inconclusive.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1148746140329955032006-05-27T11:51:00.000-04:002006-06-22T21:43:54.003-04:00Spouses & GhostsYou'll find that usually, a person's spouse is pretty long-suffering when you're a ghost hunter. I mean, unless you're a ghosthunting team, your significant other has to be a patient soul. We're talking evening investigations and sometimes overnight ones away from home. Ghosthunting can be quite a time commitment and it is definitely something to consider and take into account as one.<br /><br />You come across spouses who are skeptical of the whole thing, despite the gung-ho with which their other pursues it. Then you have the ones who are resigned to their fate, lol, like my husband D. who is pretty okay with it all. I have been doing this for years and he enjoys watching all of the hauntings/paranormal TV shows and hearing the stories, but he says he's never experienced anything himself (and he's OK with that, lol). He even went to Ireland with me and stayed in haunted castles and visited Leap itself. Trust me, he was terrified every night--even to the point of once threatening to stay in the nearest town--but he hung in there and would even do it again. Some people like presents and all sort of stuff from their spouses, but one who will stay with you in haunted-as-hell castles?<br /><br />Now <span style="font-style: italic;">that's</span> love.<br /><br />He has some theories of his own that I thought everyone would enjoy...<br /><br />D.'s Theory of Places That Are Haunted:<br /><ol><li>Jails</li><li>Hospitals/Asylums</li><li>Lighthouses<br /></li><li>Castles</li><li>Victorian homes</li><li>Anything that's been turned into a bed & breakfast--<span style="font-style: italic;">especially</span> if it is a castle or Victorian home</li></ol>I don't know, he might be on to something with the whole Victorian thing. What was it about that time period that most homes and buildings here in the U.S. seem to have a resident ghost? I think I'll discuss it in another post in the future.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1147668527128646732006-05-15T00:19:00.000-04:002006-05-15T12:51:32.990-04:00Ghosthunter L's Paranormal Movie ClichesIn the past two weeks, I saw two different "Based upon a true story"-style paranormal movies: <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Entity</span> and <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Uninvited</span>. While I really enjoyed <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Entity</span>, <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Uninvited</span> had so many paranormal cliches. Heck, take it back, even <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">The Entity</span> wasn't entirely cliche-free. Al, the head of <strong><a href="http://www.dchauntings.com">DCMAG</a>,</strong> always jokes that watching paranormal movies with me is a riot. As a ghost hunter, I think I just get driven crazy by all of the "Hollywoodness" of them sometimes, LOL. Thinking about all of the haunted movies I've enjoyed in the past, here's my preliminary list of paranormal movie cliches:<br /><ol><li>The whole damn family's seeing ghosts and the dad is the holdout. Crap truly hits the fan, he <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">finally</span> sees stuff himself and <span style="FONT-STYLE: italic">then</span> he's a believer. Way to trust your family, man!</li><li>Ghosts moving like marionettes--jerky and choppy.</li><li>Mom/dad/sister/brother is being attacked by something unseen. Whoever else that is witnessing this is just standing there instead of trying to help them.<br /></li><li>The whole damn family's seeing ghosts, but won't stick up for the person who's being deemed "crazy."<br /></li><li>Untraumatized kids. Crazy stuff's happening at home, but they still go to sleep just fine.</li><li>They always find the gravestones/cemetery/graves/bones on their land at the last minute.<br /></li><li>The kind psychic they just happen to come across in their everyday life who shows them "the way."</li><li>People getting picked off one by one by vengeful ghosts. That'd be a heckuva news story.<br /></li><li>Ghosts accompanied by thick fog/swirling portals/crazy colored lights.</li><li>They're told to "go into the light" and they just GO.</li><li>You can't kill what's not alive in the first place.<br /></li><li>The psych who always proclaims everything's a hallucination/repressed thoughts/mental</li><li>You can't trap and contain them.<br /></li><li>Don't just stand there screaming. RUN. And then, please don't trip.</li></ol>Feel free to add more, because I know I will...Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1146799672258537862006-05-04T22:50:00.000-04:002006-05-04T23:29:32.246-04:00Reflections and Paranormal Pics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/jaime.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/jaime.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/decaturmirror.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/decaturmirror.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/mirror2.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/mirror2.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I've got some examples of pics that just aren't paranormal...they are all reflections.<br /><br />These were taken while <a href="http://www.dchauntings.com"><span style="font-weight: bold;">DCMAG</span></a> was on investigation. I'm not saying that these places aren't haunted (nor am I concluding that they are either), but they are great examples of reflections and mirrors/glass creating effects in photos. Note the blur in the center of the top photo from the picture frame glass. Then the swirls in the mirror in the 2nd and the oval blurb in the botttom. All are reflections. You have to be careful when analyzing your photos not to confuse something natural like this with what you'd consider the paranormal. Remember, the natural must be ruled out first.Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12748059.post-1146274317922134322006-04-28T20:50:00.000-04:002006-04-28T23:23:16.416-04:00Savannah Haints<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/P4250575.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/P4250575.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is the Hampton Lillibridge House, at 507 E. St. Julian St., supposedly the most haunted house in Savannah, built in 1796. The house was moved from its previous location in the 1960s. Workers restoring the home and the home's owner experienced unusual things like noises, voices, singing, a woman's scream, and footsteps. It was even exorcised (the ghosts came back anyway, lol.) It is now a <span style="font-style: italic;">private</span> residence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/P4250579.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/P4250579.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is the <a href="http://www.17hundred90.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant</span></a> at President & Lincoln Sts. Their resident ghost is a young woman named Anna, who naively fell in love with a sailor who didn't love her back, so she committed suicide by jumping from the 3rd floor.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/P4250576.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/P4250576.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is the <a href="http://www.kehoehouse.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kehoe House</span></a>--now a luxury B&B--on Habersham St. It is supposedly haunted by the ghosts of the Kehoe children who like to run and play in the hallway. It was also once used as a funeral home.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/1600/P4250581.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7301/1094/320/P4250581.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This is <a href="http://www.thepirateshouse.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Pirate's House Restaurant </span></a>(Arr...mateys!) on E. Broad St. made famous in Robert Louis Stevenson's <span style="font-style: italic;">Treasure Island</span>. Built in 1743, there are supposedly tunnels down to the river for smuggling and shanghai-ing folks. Employees and customers have had experiences and have even seen apparitions over the years.<br /><br />I took one of those ghost tours. Do I hear a sigh or groan out there? LOL. This is the first time I've ever done one, and as a ghosthunter, I feared hokeyness and corny-ness the entire time. I was pleased that it was an easygoing trolley and straight to the facts accounts as we rode through the streets of this historic town with its park squares and live oaks dripping with Spanish moss. An interesting thing that was pointed out was many of the house were painted in this pale blue-green color called "haint blue." Acc. to African American/Gullah belief, haint blue was supposed to deter ghosts.<br /><br />As I've said before, historic buildings + proximity to water = high chance of a haunting, and Savannah isn't an exception to that rule. Supposedly it's one of the most haunted cities in America, but aren't they all?Ellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09095739010254230266noreply@blogger.com1