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Features Archive:

2009 Archive:
Haunted Cape Encounters - Ghost Chronicles
December 30, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ouija/Talking Boards with Robert Murch By 30 Odd Minutes
December 17, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Psychic Vampires with Michelle Belanger By 30 Odd Minutes
December 10, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Rosemary Ellen Guiley - Ghost Chronicles
December 9, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Astral Projection with Robert Bruce By 30 Odd Minutes
December 4, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Four Predictions for the USA in 2010 by Lee Prosser
December 3, 2009

Column - regular feature

Secrets of the Holy Lance - Ghost Chronicles
December 2, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Investigating the Gettysburg Engine House - Ghost Chronicles
November 18, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Hindu Perspective on the Paranormal by Deonna Kelli Sayed
November 17, 2009


Animal Spirits with Melissa Sehgal By 30 Odd Minutes
November 12, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

There's Something About Resurrection Mary by Ray Johnson
November 12, 2009


Psychic Recommendations By Tiffany Johnson
November 2, 2009

Column - regular feature

Best of Paranormal Journeys By 30 Odd Minutes
October 27, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Anniversary Show - Ghost Chronicles
October 27, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

What are Ghosts? by Rob Conover and Brad Conover
October 26, 2009


Ghostvillage.com - 10 Year Anniversary By Lee Prosser
October 23, 2009

Column - regular feature

Investigating Alcatraz By Mike Brody
October 14, 2009

Column - regular feature

Life, Death, and the Magicians - Ghost Chronicles
October 14, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Conspiracies with Dean Haglund By 30 Odd Minutes
October 8, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Investigating Anawan Rock - Ghost Chronicles
October 7, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Reincarnation By Tiffany Johnson
October 6, 2009

Column - regular feature

Tarot with Scotty Roberts By 30 Odd Minutes
October 1, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Faeries with Rosemary Ellen Guiley By 30 Odd Minutes
September 24, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Crop Circles with Freddy Silva By 30 Odd Minutes
September 17, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Myrna the Death Doll - Ghost Chronicles
September 16, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Skinwalker Ranch and April Slaughter By Mike Brody
September 15, 2009

Column - regular feature

A Psychic Rant By Tiffany Johnson
September 8, 2009

Column - regular feature

Parapsychology with Loyd Auerbach By 30 Odd Minutes
September 3, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Doppelgnger By Lee Prosser
September 3, 2009

Column - regular feature

Fort Delaware - Ghost Chronicles
September 2, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Derby Gaol with Richard Felix By 30 Odd Minutes
August 27, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

When Live TV Goes Wrong By 30 Odd Minutes
August 20, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Demons and Exorcism By 30 Odd Minutes
August 13, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

The Pet Whisperer - Ghost Chronicles
August 12, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Interdimensional Beings By Lee Prosser
August 12, 2009

Column - regular feature

UFOs and National Security By 30 Odd Minutes
August 6, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Ghosts, War, and the Paranormal - Ghost Chronicles
August 5, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Eveleth's Haunted Recreation Building By Mike Brody
August 4, 2009

Column - regular feature

2012 By Tiffany Johnson
August 3, 2009

Column - regular feature

Childhood Nightmare or Past Life Memory? By Andrea Leininger
July 30, 2009


Paranormal Comedy By 30 Odd Minutes
July 23, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery - Ghost Chronicles
July 22, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Developing Your Psychic Ability By 30 Odd Minutes
July 9, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Accuracy in Psychic Readings By Tiffany Johnson
July 9, 2009

Column - regular feature

Ghosts and Hauntings - Ghost Chronicles
July 8, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

10 Things Guaranteed to Ruin Your Paranormal Investigation By Beth Brown
July 7, 2009


The Ghost of Tim Hardin By Lee Prosser
July 3, 2009

Column - regular feature

Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP) By 30 Odd Minutes
June 25, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Investigating the Legend of Dudley Road - Ghost Chronicles
June 24, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Fearing Tavern By Mike Brody
June 22, 2009

Column - regular feature

Ohio Grassman By 30 Odd Minutes
June 18, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Night Terrors By Lee Prosser
June 8, 2009

Column - regular feature

Vampires By 30 Odd Minutes
June 5, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

Those Who Have Crossed Over By Tiffany Johnson
June 1, 2009

Column - regular feature

Thayer's Historic Bed & Breakfast By Mike Brody
May 21, 2009

Column - regular feature

Your Worst Nightmare By 30 Odd Minutes
May 14, 2009

30 Odd Minutes - webcast

A Demonologist the Title Doesn't Make by Adam Christian Blai
May 8, 2009


My Clientele By Tiffany Johnson
May 4, 2009

Column - regular feature

The Ghost Huntress, Marley Gibson - Ghost Chronicles
April 29, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Ghosts of Atlantis - Ghost Chronicles
April 22, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Ghosts and Talking Rocks - Ghost Chronicles
April 15, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

A Journey Into the Future? by Richard Senate By Richard Senate
April 9, 2009


Investigating Turtle Mound - Ghost Chronicles
April 8, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Spring Evolution By Tiffany Johnson
April 3, 2009

Column - regular feature

Spiritual Healer, Kelle Eli - Ghost Chronicles
March 25, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Most Haunted's Richard Felix - Ghost Chronicles
March 18, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Return of the Haunted Dibbuk Box - Ghost Chronicles
March 11, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Talismans By Lee Prosser
March 6, 2009

Column - regular feature

A Haunting at the Inn on Washington Square - Ghost Chronicles
March 4, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Manifestation By Tiffany Johnson
March 2, 2009

Column - regular feature

Jane Doherty Investigates - Ghost Chronicles
February 25, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Retrocognition at Mission La Purisima Concepcion By Richard Senate
February 18, 2009


Interview with Brian "The Monk" - Ghost Chronicles
February 18, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

In Search of Edgar Allan Poe Part 2 - Ghost Chronicles
February 11, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Pacific Northwest Ghosts By Lee Prosser
February 9, 2009

Column - regular feature

In Search of Edgar Allan Poe Part 1 - Ghost Chronicles
February 4, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Decompression By Tiffany Johnson
February 1, 2009

Column - regular feature

David Wells - Ghost Chronicles
January 28, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

Live at the Circles of Wisdom - Ghost Chronicles
January 21, 2009

Ghostvillage Radio - podcast

The Painting By Maurice DesJardins
January 19, 2009


Missouri Hauntings By Lee Prosser
January 12, 2009

Column - regular feature

A Night on the
Queen Mary By Richard Senate
January 6, 2009


How Do You Know You're Psychic? By Tiffany Johnson
January 1, 2009

Column - regular feature



July 7, 2009

10 Things Guaranteed to Ruin Your Paranormal Investigation

By Beth Brown

Skipping the Client Interview
Let's face it -- some people call on paranormal investigators for reasons other than help. They may desire some kind of special attention or may even be out for a prank at your expense. Find out exactly what kind of events the client believes he is experiencing and get the when/where/who of every occurrence you can. Train yourself to spot inconsistencies in these recounts and make note of any strange behavior of the client (after the interview if you're face-to-face, please!) If the interview reveals clues that the call for help may not be genuine, you have the right to refuse an investigation on whatever grounds you decide. On the other hand, you may discover during the initial interview that a situation is physically dangerous to those in the environment or involves children, prompting you to schedule an investigation immediately.

Thorough client interviews avoid wasted time -- for your team in the event a call is bogus, and for distraught homeowners who are living in fear.

Overlooking History
All good investigators know that the foundation of a thorough site study begins with background research. Take the time to track down the history of the location you're planning to study. What sorts of tragic events may have taken place there? Has paranormal activity been ongoing at the site? If you have the permission of the homeowner, contact former occupants and find out if they've witnessed anything in the home they couldn't explain. If you will be investigating a business location, get permission from the owner or manager to interview current or past employees.

Arm yourself with knowledge of a location's history and you'll spare yourself the embarrassment of looking for all the wrong things in all the wrong places.

Not Knowing Your Equipment
Walking into an investigation with gear you can't operate easily and quickly is a fast route to failure. Fumbling to find the record button on your DVR in the dark or not know exactly what all the aperture presets on your camera are used for could mean missing something that is, well, phenomenal.

Know your equipment inside and out before using it on an investigation. Read the manuals and practice using these devices in all kinds of light and environmental conditions. Learn to change batteries in the dark.

Inviting Too Many (or Not Enough) Investigators
Have you ever been on an investigation where there was hardly room to move because of all the other hopeful ghost-hunters present? If so, I'm willing to bet all the data you collected from that outing was junk -- filled with chit-chat, foot shuffling, and other contaminants. The flipside is performing an investigation at a huge property with only a few able bodies to do the work. Both scenarios are a drain on your valuable time and, if you're like me, your patience.

A good rule of thumb is to plan for one investigator for every 200 square feet of a structure. Here's where doing your homework pays off. Know the site well before inviting participants to the investigation and you'll never be too crowded or overworked.

Night Vision Saboteurs
We've all caused it at some time or another, whether we realized it or not -- flash burn. This inconvenient optical response to bright lights in a dark environment can wreak havoc on a nighttime investigation. Make a conscious attempt, and instill it in your teammates, to avoid shining flashlights into the faces of others or snapping flash photos in the direction of other investigators. If you must take a photo with others present, give a warning signal for them to momentarily close their eyes by simply saying, "Flash!"

Optical glare recovery can take up to three minutes. Don't cheat a fellow investigator of his opportunity to witness paranormal phenomena by pointing a head lamp in his face or by careless use of flash photography.

Ghost Whisperers
You've been reviewing audio data for hours and you finally discover what you were hoping for -- the coveted EVP. With excitement boiling over, you rush to share the find with your team only to have your mood ruined by someone announcing, "Oh, that was Bob asking me about what I had for dinner!" Trust me, I've been there and it's no fun. How can you avoid this embarrassment? Lay down an investigation rule -- NO WHISPERING.

Encourage every investigator to speak at normal conversational volume, no matter what the situation. If you really want to cover your bases when it comes to data review time, make a recorded sample of everyone on the team saying their name and telling you where they will be investigating.

Accidents Waiting to Happen
I know, they're accidents and you can't exactly plan for them. You can, however, be certain you have an emergency protocol in place for physical injuries, lost investigators, property damage, and the like. Be sure every member of your team understands the protocol before setting out on an investigation.

The best ways to head off accidents is to know the terrain, be familiar with the structure, dress in appropriate clothing and shoes, and make it the mission of each investigator to point out unsafe behavior when they see it. Don't be shy -- you could be saving someone hundreds of dollars in medical expenses by speaking up. Be sure at least one investigator has access to a cell phone with reliable coverage in the event of an emergency.

Failure to Communicate
Knowing where your teammates are at all times can mean the difference between the paranormal find of a lifetime and data that's so contaminated it has to be thrown out. If your video camera catches a mysterious shadow in the hallway, you may focus your attention there for the remainder of the investigation only to later discover is was a teammate changing rooms.

If you are participating in an active investigation, use a set of family radios or walkies to keep track of who is going where and when. This additional step will help ensure your data is genuine and all investigators are safe. You never know, your radios may even pick up on paranormal interference.

Allowing Excitement to Turn to Panic
Psychologists all agree -- fear is contagious. Every investigator should be put through many rounds of hypothetical situations before setting foot in the field. What would you do if you heard a disembodied voice right beside you? How would you react if you saw an apparition? Really think it through and have a plan ready in case things are more "active" than you anticipate.

If you sense a teammate is becoming overwhelmed, take him outside or away from the cause of his fear until he has a chance to calm down. In most cases, a short time-out can cut the fuse from a volatile situation. If the panicked investigator is inconsolable, he or she should be removed from the site to avoid influencing the rest of the team.

Not Following Through on Follow-Up
Don't forget why you are investigating -- to help someone. Whether your client wants simply some validation of his sanity or he feels his safety is in jeopardy, you make it your duty when you agree to the investigation to follow up and share your team's conclusion.

Running around with cameras and flashlights looking for spirits is great fun, I agree, but providing answers to those who come to you for help is essential in building your credibility as a paranormal investigator.


Beth Brown Beth Brown has been investigating the paranormal since 1989. She is an author of several books about the unexplained, including Conducting a Paranormal Investigation, Haunted Battlefields, and Haunted Plantations of Virginia. Beth co-hosts The Paranormal View on CBS Psychic Radio and is the host and producer of Ghost Lab on the Para-X Radio Network. She has been a speaker at numerous paranormal events and is known for her lectures regarding the connections between paranormal and history and the effects of paranormal media on pop culture. 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