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Features Archive:

2007 Archive:
Table Tilting with the Witches of Salem, Massachusetts - Ghost Chronicles
December 26, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

A Sance in Salem - Paranormal Journeys
December 10, 2007

Paranormal Journeys - webcast

Psychic Vampire: Michelle Belanger - Ghost Chronicles
December 5, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Nazi Theocracy - by Lee Prosser
December 3, 2007

Column - regular feature

The Orb House - Ghost Chronicles
November 28, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Haunted Lighthouses - Ghost Chronicles
November 21, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Violet Road: The Grave of Michael Bashor - by Marcus Foxglove Griffin
April 6, 2007

Column - regular feature

Phyllis Glade and Fate Magazine - Ghost Chronicles
November 14, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Stone's Public House - Paranormal Journeys
November 12, 2007

Paranormal Journeys - webcast

The Ghosts of Dartmouth College - Ghost Chronicles
November 7, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Halloween 2007 - by Lee Prosser
October 30, 2007

Column - regular feature

Jeff Belanger's Halloween Spell by Jeff Belanger
October 26, 2007


John Kachuba - Ghost Chronicles
October 24, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Haunted Australia - Ghost Chronicles
October 17, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Stepping Into the Dark World of The Vampire of Sacramento: Richard Trenton Chase by Paul Dale Roberts
October 17, 2007


Madison, Georgia - Ghost Chronicles
October 10, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Halloween Special: New London Ledge Lighthouse - Ghost Chronicles
October 3, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

French Ghosts - by Lee Prosser
October 3, 2007

Column - regular feature

The Psychomanteum Chamber - Ghost Chronicles
September 26, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghost Hunters Spotlight: C.A.S.P.R. - Ghost Chronicles
September 19, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Jesse James - by Lee Prosser
September 18, 2007

Column - regular feature

Heritage Hall: Madison, Georgia - Ghost Chronicles
September 12, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Ghosts of the Knight House - Ghost Chronicles
September 5, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghost Children in Missouri and Elsewhere - by Lee Prosser
September 3, 2007

Column - regular feature

The Death of a Psychic by Tuesday Miles
August 31, 2007


Ghost Hunters Spotlight: The Spirit Light Network - Ghost Chronicles
August 29, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Paranormal State - Ghost Chronicles
August 22, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

A Look at Haunted Baseball by Dan Gordon
August 16, 2007


Gettysburg: Devil's Den and Sachs Bridge - Ghost Chronicles
August 15, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Russ Columbo - by Lee Prosser
August 15, 2007

Column - regular feature

Gettysburg: Investigating the Daniel Lady Farm - Ghost Chronicles
August 8, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

A Frightening Moment in Marysville, California by Paul Dale Roberts
August 7, 2007


Passing Wind - by Lee Prosser
August 2, 2007

Column - regular feature

Gettysburg: The Ghost World Conference Part II - Ghost Chronicles
August 1, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Gettysburg: The Ghost World Conference - Ghost Chronicles
July 25, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Andrea: A True Story of Unleashed Terror - Ghost Chronicles
July 18, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Shadow People with Thomas Durant - Ghost Chronicles
July 11, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Fort Revere with East Bridgewater's Most Haunted - Ghost Chronicles
July 4, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghostly Nighttime Visitor by Alexandra Holzer
July 3, 2007


American Western Film Ghosts: Audie Murphy, Randolph Scott, John Wayne - by Lee Prosser
July 1, 2007

Column - regular feature

The Haunted Queen Mary - Ghost Chronicles
June 27, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Moultonborough House - Ghost Chronicles
June 20, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Southern Ghosts - Ghost Chronicles
June 13, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghost Hunters Spotlight - John Speer and Leslie Boyce of the Southern Spirit Seeker Society - Ghost Chronicles
June 6, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Ghost in the Pantry - by Lee Prosser
June 4, 2007

Column - regular feature

Dog Town - Ghost Chronicles
May 30, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Classifying Paranormal Photographs by Josh Mantello
May 29, 2007


Five Foot Nothin' of Guardian Angel by Dr. J. Lee Choron
May 25, 2007


Mark Nesbitt: The Ghosts of Gettysburg - Ghost Chronicles
May 23, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Spirit Children of the Fontaine Manse - Ghost Chronicles
May 16, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Borrowing Ghost - by Lee Prosser
May 15, 2007

Column - regular feature

Oak View: Time Port? By Richard Senate
May 14, 2007


Papal Knight and Author Charles A. Coulombe - Ghost Chronicles
May 9, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Signs - Messages from Beyond - Ghost Chronicles
May 2, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Beware of False Teachers - by Lee Prosser
May 1, 2007

Column - regular feature

Dungeon Rock - Ghost Chronicles
April 26, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Remote Viewing - Ghost Chronicles
April 18, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Investigating Tenney Gatehouse and Grey Court Castle - Ghost Chronicles
April 12, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghost Hunters Spotlight: The Ghost Stalker, Richard Senate - Ghost Chronicles
April 4, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Mark of Cain - by Lee Prosser
April 1, 2007

Column - regular feature

Bloody Mary: The Voodoo Queen of New Orleans - Ghost Chronicles
March 28, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Marija: The half-life of Resurrection Mary by Ursula Bielski
March 23, 2007


The Haunted Farnsworth House - Ghost Chronicles
March 21, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Aleister Crowley - by Lee Prosser
March 16, 2007

Column - regular feature

The Ghost Investigator: Linda Zimmermann - Ghost Chronicles
March 14, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Exploring the Tarot Cards - Ghost Chronicles
March 8, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Vodou - by Lee Prosser
March 2, 2007

Column - regular feature

The Ghost Bride: Lydia Carver - Ghost Chronicles
February 28, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Skeptical Learning by Rick Hayes
February 23, 2007


The Myrtles Plantation - Ghost Chronicles
February 21, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Ghosts of the Reyes Adobe by Richard Senate
February 16, 2007


How To Contact Your Guardian Angel - by Lee Prosser
February 15, 2007

Column - regular feature

The Eyes of the Mothman - Ghost Chronicles
February 14, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Mystery of the Ouija Board - Ghost Chronicles
February 7, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghost Hunter Spotlight: Brad Duplechien of Louisiana Spirits Paranormal Investigations - Ghost Chronicles
January 31, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghost Hunting and Dead Presidents by Vince Wilson
January 29, 2007


The Bell Witch and Witch Bonney - Ghost Chronicles
January 24, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Paranormal Investigator Profile: Derek Bartlett, Founder of Cape and Islands Paranormal Research Society
January 19, 2007


EVP, Featuring Tom and Lisa Butler of the A.A.E.V.P. - Ghost Chronicles
January 17, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Paul Bowles, Witchcraft, and the Supernatural - by Lee Prosser
January 15, 2007

Column - regular feature

Brian Leffler of The Northern Minnesota Paranormal Investigators - Ghost Chronicles
January 10, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Homan House, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by John Sabol
January 8, 2007


How To Photograph The Paranormal - Ghost Chronicles
January 3, 2007

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

DVD Widescreen Format Contains Subliminal Occult Messages - by Lee Prosser
January 1, 2007

Column - regular feature



January 29, 2007

Ghost Hunting and Dead Presidents

By Vince Wilson
  • Sony HandyCam with NightShot - $385 (Digital 8)
  • AC Tri-Field Meter - $139
  • Natural EM Tri-Field Meter - $229
  • TIF Digital Thermometer - $149 
  • 35 mm and Digital Cameras - $99+
  • Actually catching a ghost on film Priceless!

The list above is composed of some of the most sought-after devices used for "ghost hunting." This list uses the average price for each item with a little leeway for shipping and taxes. Just five pieces of equipment and you will be paying over one grand. Ka-ching!

Now, for the beginner ghost hunter there are alternative techniques that are both inexpensive and worthwhile. A compass (a nice camping compass for around $10) is a great alternative for an EMF meter. A digital thermometer from Wal-Mart, although slow to react, will get you through your investigation with very accurate readings. Finally, as long as your flash is more than 2 inches away (or more) from the lens of your cameras, you will be Okay! Spend wisely. A new ghost hunter on the scene once asked me at a conference what types of equipment I used on investigations and where did I get them from. I gave him a list and a week later he bought over $400 worth of equipment that he didnt even know how to use. I understand he still calls a trifield meter a tricorder. I may be the author of a book called Ghost Tech, but even I know that fancy gadgets do not an expert make. Cest la vie! Id hate to think that his wife and kids had to eat microwave dinners because Dad needed ghost-hunting gizmos so quickly.

In case you havent figured out yet, this article is about money. Specifically raising money for your ghost hunting team. Equipment, gasoline, and film -- it adds up. Where does all that money come from? Usually -- you! Now what were going to discuss is different ways to raise money for your group honestly and legally. But first...

Giving Ghost Hunting A Bad Rap
In an article for Ghost Hunting 101 that I plan on writing very soon, we will be talking about sharing information with other investigators and teams. What good is having all that acquired data if you cannot share it with other investigators? If we are going to solve the mystery of what ghosts and hauntings are, then we need to have some better standards. For example at the official Ghost Tech website (www.ghosttech.net) you can download forms that will help you document nearly all aspects of an investigation. Developed by the Maryland Paranormal Investigators Coalition these forms are believed to be some of the most comprehensive in the country. The best part is theyre free!
 
There is a group or two out there who are charging new investigators for accessing data from their Web site. For a yearly fee you can download their videos and pictures. How is the field of ghost hunting going to move forward if there are people like that? Although it is important to receive recognition for hard-earned research, it is never acceptable to charge for data that should be available to the public and peer scrutiny. Call me self-righteous if youd like.

I did an article once for Aint It Cool News (www.aintitcoolnews.com) for the movie White Noise. It wasnt favorable. Regardless, the moderator for the site was a little excited about getting an honest-to-goodness ghost hunter to do the review. The sites message boards were a little less excited. Some of the comments were about how all paranormal investigators were rip-off artists that preyed on troubled people who thought they had ghosts in their houses. They sounded like Walter Peck from Ghostbusters! Who can blame them though? There are people out there like that. In California there is a group that charges as much as $7500 to investigate your home. Scoundrels! Thats what they are. It is an honor to be invited into someones home and to charge to do investigation is deplorable. You can say that you will accept a donation for gas and film development, but thats all. Most of the time the homeowner will insist on feeding us or at least making us coffee. Usually bad coffee, but it is the thought that counts. If it were a long distance to travel though, it would be okay to ask for lodging of some kind. 

When we tried to create a local Baltimore group here in Maryland I would talk to other, more experienced ghost hunters around the country for advice. This is when I found out that Maryland had an appalling reputation for serious research. Evidently there are groups that are claiming to train investigators for a price. They would have investigations with up to fifty people then charge each person for attendance! How can you control fifty investigators? All running around at the same time with their EMF meters and digital cameras and not a minute of good training. So much for real research!

Dont Burn Yourself!
Williamsburg, Virginia -- 2005. The Queen Mary -- 2005. Two examples of ghost hunting conferences gone wrong -- Really wrong

Have you ever been to a ghost conference before? Some are very good and have been around (such as the American Ghost Society Conference in Illinois) for a long time now. Some are new and have yet to prove themselves, but have proven talent behind them (such as the Ghost World Conference [www.ghostworldconference.com] in 2007 [Please excuse the shameless self promotion]). On the other hand though, there are conferences that are simply awful or simply not well planned. Let us talk about the ones that are not well planned, shall we?

In 2005 a few colleagues and I were invited to a ghost conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. Williamsburg is well known for its colonial era hauntings and all involved were genuinely excited about going. So the conference got closer and closer and closer. And the updates from the conference planners became fewer and fewer and fewer. Then, just three weeks before the date of the big Williamsburg Ghost Conference we got an email. The planners were not very good planners as it turns out and had driven themselves into bankruptcy. We would later find out that these people had invested so much money into the conference that they lost their house having not made enough money from projected reservation sales. Many who have bought reservations still have not gotten their money back. Yes Ouch.

That same year a huge and exciting conference was planned on the famously haunted RMS Queen Mary in California. They were going to have hundreds of people attend, dozens of famous ghost hunters and special events like investigations of the ships more infamous ghost stories. They planned on using money from a documentary of the ships ghosts to help pay for the conference. Their contract stipulated that they had to rent the entire ship. Too bad the Queen Mary said they couldnt film there. The proceeds might have saved them from going into debt and having to cancel their conference. 

In 2004 the Maryland Paranormal Investigators Coalition headed by yours truly decided they would have their own conference in Baltimore. We had some truly great speakers like Troy Taylor, Rosemary Ellen Guiley and Mark Nesbitt among others. Only 75 out of a planned two hundred-person conference bought reservations. I personally lost about one thousand dollars that year. We thought we were doing it right. We researched and planned and asked for advice from other conference planners. Perhaps we should have listened. Most conference planners said dont do it! 

Since 2004 we have done two additional significantly more successful conferences for the Maryland Paranormal Investigators Coalition. Each one was called the Eastern Regional Paranormal Conference and each one about doubled the previous years attendance. Not all planners are so lucky. Even if you have a great conference your first year doesnt mean you will be so lucky the next year. We had other issues as well, of course. We couldnt help but notice that we were so busy planning conferences three months out of the year we were neglecting our duties as paranormal investigators and subsequently creating a backlog of investigations that needed to be done. Also the stress of the conference caused all sorts of conflicts among our inner circle. Suffice it to say, 2006 was the last of the Eastern Regional Paranormal Conferences. Life goes on for us as we focus on our goals to advance research into ghosts and hauntings.

In the past few years the country has become saturated with ghost conferences. Just Google ghost conference and youll see what I mean. Are you willing to take the risk we did and those poor (now literally!) souls from California and Williamsburg? You may find your conference lost in a teeming sea of conferences or worse you my find yourself in bankruptcy court. Author and ghost hunter Troy Taylor had this to say about ghost conferences, Its kind of like a Little Rascals mentality. Remember the old 'Our Gang' serials? 'Lets put on a show,' theyd say. Thats what a lot of these groups are doing. They're saying, 'lets put on show and everyone will come and spend lots of money! Itll be easy!' Well, its not east and you can get yourself in a lot of trouble. Trust me fellow ghost hunters, there are better, safer ways

The Better, Safer Ways
So the questions at hand is, how do I raise money for my ghost hunting group honestly and without putting my family out on the street? There are several ways actually.

Dues
This is the simplest, easiest way to earn money for your ghost hunting gear, film development, and gas for the Mystery Machine. However, careful consideration should be made as to how dues are collected and how often. Your team should have regular, monthly meetings. These meetings can take place in a home, park, library, restaurant, etc. Your group, preferably, should have some kind of regular traditions and/or practices. Reciting your teams mission statement at the beginning of each monthly meeting creates a strong sense of purpose and dedication amongst the team members. For example, the Maryland Paranormal Investigators Coalition has the following mission statement:

Our mission statement:

  • To provide leadership in Maryland through the application of scientific research of the paranormal. 
  • To provide education, assistance, and resources to new and existing paranormal organizations, the public and the media. 
  • To foster and create new paranormal organizations throughout Maryland.

An independent Treasurer should be assigned who will make monthly reports on the amount of funds in the team account. This person will also be responsible for collecting the dues. As far as how much dues are? This is up to the budgets of your average team member. I recommend no more than $10 per member per month. Dues can also and should also be collected on a per investigation basis. Try to calculate how much it will cost for gasoline per vehicle (carpool if possible!), how much film development will be, how much new audio tapes will cost, etc. Then, at the end of the investigation collect divided total from each investigator (Example: Film, gas, tapes = $30. Six Investigators = $5 per person).

Fundraisers
This one is not so easy. If you already have a full-time job youre probably not going to like this one. Fundraising requires real hard work. You are pretty much limited to bake sales, car washes, candy bar sales, etc. You will have to go to your co-workers to hock your stuff. 

So What are you selling the Christmas wrapping paper for? Your kids school? Band?

Uh Actually its for our ghost hunting team. Do you like peanut brittle? It comes in a decorative can

The other negative of course is you usually have to sell a lot to get a little.

Ghost Tours
The best ghost tours in Gettysburg are Mark Nesbitts Ghosts of Gettysburg based on his best selling award-winning Ghosts of Gettysburg book series. Many of the most famous (or at least very well known) ghost hunters in the country do ghost tours. Theres Troy Taylor in Illinois, Dale Kaczmarek and even myself from time-to-time. Starting your own ghost tour has many advantages besides making money from something that you enjoy doing. 

There are many ghost tours out there that are not exactly accurate in either history of ghost tales. In my own hometown of Baltimore there is a ghost tour in Fells Point that is horribly inaccurate in its telling of Edgar Allan Poe legend and lore. Know your history first before planning your ghost tour! Years, names, and dates always impress your customers. Look for the bloody, gory and grisly murder stories too. Theyre always popular! 

Only report eyewitness accounts of ghosts if you can. Documented cases are even better. There is a famous B&B in Gettysburg that rhymes with "barns girth" that has many exaggerated stories associated with. Exaggerated is a nice way of saying made up. People (especially ghost hunters) will try to prove you wrong. Best to keep honest. For more information on starting your own ghost walk/tour read Troy Taylors Ghost Hunters Guidebook for a whole chapter on the subject. 

Workshops 
This is where we separate the kids from the adults. Well-planned workshops can serve your group well in many ways besides earning spending money. They can also help you find only the most dedicated investigators to work with your team.

First of all, you want to make sure your core group is well on its way to being established. I recommend that you dont try doing workshops until you are at least a year old having done multiple investigations. Also, it would be good if you are well read in the latest techniques and perhaps have attended some other workshops or a well-established conference. 

Although they can be done practically anywhere, an indoor location is best for your workshop. Scope out the your town for a place that is willing to host a group of ghost hunters. The best possible place of course is somewhere known to be haunted. Look at libraries, dance halls, theatres, bookstores, and restaurants. Restaurants with private rooms work well. Tell them that if they let you have your workshop there for a few hours you will encourage your team of would-be investigators to eat there as well. 

Privacy is a factor to consider as well. If you are conducting mock investigations and/or hosting a course on the proper use of EMF meters snickering patrons who dont appreciate your line of work can be very distracting.

Although establishing a regular place to have workshops is important, sometimes a change of pace is nice too. Every once in awhile have your workshop at a haunted fort or cemetery (with the permission of management of course).

Once you have established a location you should try to have one on a regular basis. At least once a month is perfect. It is essential to establish regularity if you are going to have the public ascertain your team as professional and reliable. Each month should focus on a different aspect of ghost hunting. Topics can include Ghost Hunting Technology, Spirit Photography How-tos, etc. 
Now its time to establish price. A well-run workshop should be no more than $10. This is a fair amount to charge individuals. If the location you are having the workshop has a mandatory entrance fee than you can talk about upping the price. 

A good way of getting better attendance would be to have local authors and well known ghost hunters. I myself will gladly help out as long you are within four hours of Baltimore and dont mind me bringing along some copies of Ghost Tech and Ghost Science (hint, hint). At any of the workshops I do in and around Baltimore (including Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Virginia, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, etc.) you may see Jeff Belanger, Mark Nesbitt or any number of popular authors and ghost hunters in the Mid-Atlantic area.

Whatever combinations of fund raising you decide to, I really hope you do it honestly. You will definitely get my respect for it.

If you have any other, honorable, ways to raise funds for ghost hunting groups other than what I have mentioned in this article, please tell me about it in an email. Write me at vince@ghosttech.net.


Vince Wilson is the author of Ghost Tech and Ghost Science. He is also a popular lecturer on the paranormal and one of the founders of the Ghost World Conference. Visit his Web site at: www.ghosttech.net.



2014 Haunted New England Wall Calendar by Jeff Belanger photography by Frank Grace
Check out the 2014 Haunted New England wall calendar by Jeff Belanger and photography by Frank Grace!


Paranormal Conferences and Lectures
Don't miss the following events and lectures:

Jeff Belanger and “The Bridgewater Triangle” at Dedham Community Theatre - April 6, 2014 9:00PM

The Spirits of the Mark Twain House - Hartford, Connecticut - April 12, 2014

Paracon Australia - East Maitland, New South Wales, Australia - May 10-12, 2014