A Haunting Hobby: Ghost Hunting

by Anastasia Zoldak in Paranormal, October 3, 2008

The popularity of paranormal shows such as the Medium and Ghost Hunters has brought Ghost Hunting into the mainstream. As a result, the hobby of researching paranormal activity has become common. For the adventurous, the hobby of researching paranormal activity can be an escape from the daily routine.

Becoming a Paranormal Researcher is simple. Paranormal organizations, such as the Will Country Ghost Hunters Society, have chapters in every part of the country. These organizations will help perspective researchers meet others with the same interest and will help publish their findings.

Once you find a Paranormal Event you wish to investigate you will need the following items to help you document your findings.

These items include:

A recording device of some sort is important. In some paranormal cases, after recording silence at the event voices or sounds are revealed on the playback. Researchers call these sound recordings are called Electronic Voice Phenomena or EVA.
A Flashlight is important since the majority of time your research will take place at night. Most Paranormal Phenomena does not take place when the lights are on.
Bring a Camera or some type of photographic recording device with you. You will want visual proof of what you have seen. There have been instances when Ghost have appeared on film or visual recordings, but were not seen at the time of investigation.
A notebook or journal is important because you will want to take notes marking down the time, place, your feelings, and other items as you conduct your research

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By being prepared to record and documents, your findings and your credibility will be secure from criticism should you discover something.

For beginners a good place to practice your paranormal researching skills will be cemeteries. Because of their nature, cemeteries are natural places for paranormal activity.

For those living in Illinois here are some cemeteries to begin your studies.

Bachelors Grove Cemetery – Midlothian Illinois – This is possible the most haunted location in the Midwest. Some believe its paranormal activity stems from the fact that it has been abandoned for many years; local rumors have also mentioned satanic rituals being held in the Grove. Whatever has triggered activity in this cemetery many reports of floating balls of lights, phantom dogs, and people vanishing have made Bachelors Grove a notorious place of paranormal activity.
Resurrection Cemetery – Justice Illinois – Resurrection Mary has become a local legend in Justice. A known hitchhiker, the Ghost of Resurrection Mary, has sought rides from a number of locals including this writer. She often viewed walking on the side of the road along Archer.
Woodlawn Cemetery – Forest Park- This is the final resting place for the victims of the Great Circus Train Wreck of 1918. Elephant statues mark the place where the victims are buried. Most of the 86 dead were not identified or know only by nickname. Therefore, headstones are marked with names such as “Baldy,” “4 Horse Driver” or Unknown Male. At night, many have reported animal and circus sounds coming from this cemetery.
Calvary Cemetery – Evanston – One of the oldest Catholic Cemeteries in Chicago Calvary is the host to many famous Chicagoans including a former Mayor. Paranormal activity here maybe attributed to the many Chicago politicians buried here. However, Seaweed Charlie is the specter that puts this cemetery on this list. Believed to be a pilot whose plane crashed in Lake Michigan, Charlie has lead many to believe they have seen a man drowning in Lake Michigan. However, instead of disappearing into the lake as a drowning victim would, this lake plant covered ghost crawls over the rocks of the Lake Michigan and to the gates of Cavalry Cemetery before disappearing.
Bohemian National Cemetery – Chicago – This is one of Chicago’s oldest cemeteries. The Paranormal activity in this cemetery includes sightings during the day. There have been reports of phantom cars and mourners. Reports also include strange accidents along the fence running parallel Bryn Mawr Avenue.

If you need help starting your paranormal research, contact your local Ghost Hunters Society. With Some diligence, fearlessness, and sensitivity you may become a well know Ghost Hunter in your area.

Information on Locations and Organizations Mentioned:

This website is a national directory of Ghost Hunter Societies across the United States

http://www.paranormalsocieties.com/

For more information on the hobby of Ghost Hunting

http://www.prairieghosts.com/ags.html