2008
05.15

Director J. Burkhart of Rochester Paranormal.Recently there have been a number of people in the Western New York region questioning about where are all the ghosts? A reflection on the lower than usual number of reported haunting activity by the public.

In other words, a lower than average number of reported hauntings mean that there now hardly exists any domestic home hauntings for any local ghost groups to investigate. And when I say domestic home hauntings I mean those affecting people which are not associated with any group what so ever.

But it wasn’t always like this. For in the past there had been numerous cases of haunting activity, providing more than enough action to keep every existing group at that time busy.

So what happened?

I would call it a period of absolute madness with just a hint of megalomania.

Without mentioning names there were several ghost hunting groups which had worked diligently in abusing the public trust which in turn rightfully made those with haunted homes far more cautious and leery.

Permit me now to share a few unfortunate incidents as reported by the public within just the Western New York region.

Home owners finding themselves besieged unexpectedly by ghost hunting group involving eight vehicles and fifteen to twenty members.

Home owners being requested that they completely remove themselves from the premises, including any family pets, regardless of season, while ghost hunting team investigated the inside of their home unmonitored.

Home owners reported discovering broken or missing items after having their home investigated by ghost hunting team.

One particular home owner complained of her daughter being interviewed, “interrogation style” and accused of being a Satanist and responsible for home haunting by a ghost hunting group. Where then this same group had proceeded to break confidentiality by sharing their findings with neighbors as a means to convince other home owners to allow them entry to investigate for ghosts.

Home owners finding their private information published on websites.

Home owners finding photographs of their bedroom posted publicly on websites.

Home owners finding themselves harassed by other ghost hunting groups to investigate their home based on private information passed on by other groups which had proceeding them.

These represent but only a small number of complaints from a much larger documented list which explains why many home owners are now terrified at the prospect of inviting ghost hunting groups of strangers into their homes.

Every home owner who believes their home to be haunted should always first attempt, if at all possible, to conduct their own private investigation in determining if they truly do have a haunting.

And this is especially important when many “newer groups” are all advertising on how they will go into your home for free to either prove or discredit any haunting. Meaning that you should first decide whether you really want a group of strangers coming into your home and possibly challenging your belief that your home is really haunted.

Every home owner should also first decide whether it’s logical or necessary to invite a house full of strangers to investigate for ghosts when your ghostly activity had only been experienced while only you or your immediate family had been home.

So Where Are All The Ghosts?

Waiting for people more trustworthy and experienced to discover them.

  1. How dare that other group!

  2. I totally agree that homeowners can and should do their own research before inviting strangers into their home. I have put together an ebook that shows homeowner the basics. Forms are also provided to log activity. If you do decide to bring in a group you will already have your own documented evidence. This ebook is delivered to your email inbox so your street address is never revealed to anyone. Keep safe!

    The ebook is titled “Is My House Haunted? a practical guide by Bonnie Vent”

    More Info

    Thx so much,
    Bonnie Vent “Spirit Advocate”
    San Diego Paranormal Research Project

  3. Great article you wrote here Director J on the etiquette and common sense issues involved with investigating. I think what is happening is that many people that do this are doing it out of the goodness of their own hearts and it is always good to be reminded of what the homeowner/property owner expects from people in the field. With your expertise in this field, you should write a guide in order to help out people that would like to be as Professional as many of the groups out there. To new people in the field, it would be a great way to find the resources in order to be the best that one can be. I know that I personally want to be as professional as possible, but sometimes, when one works with a group and there may be some stubborn people involved, it can make it difficult when one voices their opinion on matters and they are ignored. The simple solution is to form one’s own group, but there is alot more to it than just forming a group. There are legality issues, etc. If you could put together something to help others, it would be most beneficial to others that want to do their best, but may need a little guidance. As always, I enjoy the site and wish you and yours well.

  4. How dare that other group!?

    Correction!

    All was not done by one group alone but by several groups throughout WNY.

  5. Great post J! Always informative reading and enjoyable. Fight the good fight! You are the best!!!