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Features Archive:

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2008 Archive:
Spirits of Christmas and Holidays Past By Edward Shanahan
December 19, 2008


Don't Bark At Me, I'm Not The Dog In The Mirror - by Lee Prosser
December 14, 2008

Column - regular feature

Welcome to Your Psychic Life By Tiffany Johnson
December 1, 2008


Fresh Paths to the Paranormal By Beth Brown
November 26, 2008


The Journals of Willard David Firestone: American Indians - by Lee Prosser
November 21, 2008

Column - regular feature

The Haunted Cemetery - Ghost Chronicles
November 12, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Jeff Belanger and Who's Haunting the White House? - Ghost Chronicles
October 24, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ectoplasm - by Lee Prosser
October 20, 2008

Column - regular feature

Salem Witch Shawn Poirier - Ghost Chronicles
October 15, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Most Famous Phenomenon by Jeff Belanger
October 8, 2008


Haunted House Diary - Ghost Chronicles
October 1, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Paranormal Journaling: A First Step by Jeff Belanger
September 30, 2008


More Horrific Predictions - by Lee Prosser
September 26, 2008

Column - regular feature

Francis Thompson (1859 - 1907) - by Lee Prosser
September 18, 2008

Column - regular feature

Evolution of an Entity by Danielle Lee
September 12, 2008


Into the Abyss: Ancient Rites of Exorcism by Bishop Daniel Garguillio
September 2, 2008


Lee Prosser and Jill Peacha - by Lee Prosser
September 1, 2008

Column - regular feature

An Open Letter to the Paranormal Community by Peter James Haviland
August 28, 2008


Return to Mystery Hill - Ghost Chronicles
August 20, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Ghost of Cameron Mitchell at Branson, Missouri - by Lee Prosser
August 8, 2008

Column - regular feature

Confessions of a Grief Councilor - Ghost Chronicles
August 6, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Residual "Jiggle" by Jack Roth
July 31, 2008


Farwell to Chris Balzano - Ghost Chronicles
July 23, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

A Matter of Respect by Patrick Burke
July 21, 2008


Economic Collapse and Depression in the United States - by Lee Prosser
July 14, 2008

Column - regular feature

The Portsmouth Lighthouse - Ghost Chronicles
July 9, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Legends Set in Stone by Beth Brown
July 3, 2008


Investigating the Pukwudgies - Ghost Chronicles
June 25, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Sensitive - by Lee Prosser
June 20, 2008

Column - regular feature

Ghost Hunting Etiquette 102 by Danielle Quinlan Lee
June 13, 2008


Allup, Leiru, Ligil, Uriel, Pulla - by Lee Prosser
May 23, 2008

Column - regular feature

Ohio's Haunted History by Sherri Brake-Recco
May 19, 2008


Weird Massachusetts - Paranormal Journeys
May 9, 2008

Paranormal Journeys - webcast

Water Ghosts: Theory of the Bobbing Heads and Floating Bodies - by Lee Prosser
May 9, 2008

Column - regular feature

The Shadows Know by Edward Shanahan
May 2, 2008


Weird Massachusetts with Jeff Belanger - Ghost Chronicles
April 23, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

American Negro Civil War Ghosts - by Lee Prosser
April 14, 2008

Column - regular feature

Landmark Ghosts By Beth Brown
April 3, 2008


The Lizzy Borden House - Ghost Chronicles
April 2, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghosts of Hollywood - Ghost Chronicles
March 19, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

On the Nature of Group Dynamics By Rick Moran
March 19, 2008


Billy The Kid - by Lee Prosser
March 12, 2008

Column - regular feature

Women in the Paranormal: Donna LaCroix
March 5, 2008


Women in the Paranormal: Amy Bruni
March 2, 2008


Women in the Paranormal: Ursula Bielski
February 28, 2008


Women in the Paranormal: L'Aura Hladik
February 25, 2008


Women in the Paranormal: Allison Andrews
February 22, 2008


Haunted Cape Cod and the Islands - Ghost Chronicles
February 20, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Women in the Paranormal: Rosemary Ellen Guiley
February 19, 2008


Women in the Paranormal: Lorraine Warren
February 16, 2008


The Ghosts of Tombstone - Paranormal Journeys
February 14, 2008

Paranormal Journeys - webcast

Valentine's Day Special - Ghost Chronicles
February 13, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Magick and Magic, What is the Difference? - by Lee Prosser
February 13, 2008

Column - regular feature

My Theory on Spirits of the Paranormal by Edward Shanahan
February 1, 2008


Investigating the Sance with U.K. psychic Gavin Cromwell - Ghost Chronicles
January 30, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Electronic Voice Phenomena is affected by Solar Weather by Tom Ginther
January 21, 2008


The Concord Colonial Inn - Ghost Chronicles
January 16, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghost Cat - by Lee Prosser
January 15, 2008

Column - regular feature

The Lizzie Borden House - Paranormal Journeys
January 11, 2008

Paranormal Journeys - webcast

Russian Ghosts - Ghost Chronicles
January 9, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Shadows Of Evil by Rick Hayes
January 4, 2008


Haunted Devon, UK - Ghost Chronicles
January 2, 2008

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Magickal Rings - by Lee Prosser
January 2, 2008

Column - regular feature



November 26, 2008

Fresh Paths to the Paranormal

By Beth Brown

No one can deny that the arrival of ghost-themed programming on cable television has created significant changes in the community of paranormal research and investigation. Teams and individuals that were out in the field long before the nation took notice of the plumbers from Rhode Island watched as hobby ghost hunters emerged from every nook and cranny. The market suddenly flooded with low-priced EMF meters, infrared cameras, and other gadgets that were once hard to locate and cost nearly a month's pay. Discussing the paranormal with friends and coworkers was no longer taboo.

"Ghost Mania" has ushered in another phenomenon -- the Haunted Destination. These sites, most with previously hushed rumors of paranormal activity, now openly embrace the professional and hobby investigator alike by offering overnight ghost-hunting events. Locations featured on programs like Ghost Hunters and Most Haunted, among countless others, are now cashing in on investigators hoping to emulate their television idols, sometimes at prices upwards of $500 per person and with reservations filled a year in advance. With so many people attempting to communicate with, provoke, or capture evidence of spirits at these popular sites, couldn't the paranormal activity eventually be exhausted? Wouldn't these entities likely meet someone who encourages them to move on?

Eastern State Penitentiary.As an experiment, I arranged a visit to Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. The imposing, castle-like structure was in use for nearly one hundred and fifty years and has quite a reputation for driving inmates insane. Those inmates are said to linger within the walls of the penitentiary in spirit, showing themselves as black masses and making themselves heard through sinister EVP. Eastern State was featured on an episode of Ghost Hunters that aired in 2004. During their investigation, the TAPS team captured a shadowy figure on film, but eventually dubbed the footage as inconclusive evidence. Of course, that has not stopped thousands of fans from visiting the penitentiary in hopes of capturing something similar.

The penitentiary was certainly spooky and had a unique horror movie quality that really set the mood. Its tiny cells, crumbling plaster, and tree roots reaching through the exterior walls were plenty to fuel anyone's imagination. The prison's strange, wheel-style floor plan made it very easy to lose your bearings and become quite disoriented. I found myself looking over my shoulder far more than usual, but eventually made it out unruffled.

During my investigation of Eastern State, I collected hundreds of photographs and hours of audio recordings. The number of anomalies I identified in that data took me quite by surprise, even for a site with a reputation so sinister.

There were none. Not even a single, arguable orb.

So, where were these rumored spirits? All of the EVP I was promised? Keeping their distance from another wave of nosy and demanding visitors, I suppose. I didn't feel so bad, though, because I was helping out a good cause. Eastern State Penitentiary, like many other historically significant locations that lack government funding, uses the money paid by hopeful investigators (like me) for preservation and education.

While Haunted Destinations like Eastern State are exciting to visit, investigating the same places as television role models is not a necessary rite of passage. More likely, coming away with less evidence than you've seen someone else collect will only discourage you and make you less confident in your ability. No specific site will instantly make any inexperienced investigator into a seasoned researcher.

The best advice I could offer anyone new to the field of paranormal study is to seek out haunted locations that are "off the beaten path". Every state has them, just take a look on the web at sites like Ghostvillage.com or Strangeusa.com and you'll likely find one near your home. While it's great to learn from what you see others doing on TV, from both their successes and mistakes, strive to be a pioneer when it comes to finding a haunted location to investigate. The experience you gain by starting from scratch and the objective eye (or ear) you offer your evidence will be of greater benefit to you and the field of paranormal research.


Beth BrownBeth Brown credits her interests in history and the paranormal to the high concentration of both in her hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Her search for proof of the paranormal began in 1989. She is the author of Haunted Battlefields: Virginia's Civil War Ghosts as well as Conducting a Paranormal Investigation. She has many published articles about the technical aspects of ghost-hunting and about her city's colorful history. Beth lives in Richmond, Virginia.


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