Post by WOLF on Aug 26, 2007 15:48:15 GMT -5
In the past few years there has been a lot of people mislead by the actual workings of a “Ghost Hunter”. This is mainly due to the overwhelming flood of television and printed media on the subject. Of course many people forget that a lot of this material is for the main sake of entertainment for the general masses. Unfortunately, many of these “expert” groups or individuals miss the mark on demonstrating the full involvement, activities, and research involved in being a “true” Paranormal Researcher. Some simply fabricate and generate false reports to financial reasons, personal attention, or for yellow journalism entertainment.
One of these “experts” I personally know was honest with me on the subject. “Generally people only want to hear the good parts and get the little thrill out of it. The same thrill why most people watch horror movies. If you take the time to explain history and dates, you will either loose people’s short attention or simply bore them. As I said people only want to here the juicy stuff…….. Sometimes in order to keep their attention you may have to “elaborate or interpolate” some details.” I understood what he was saying, even though it made me sick. He, like many others have lost rack on what the purpose of what a researcher/ reporter should do. Simply, people have lost what the field truly is and does, or to conduct a actual and factual investigation
With this said, here is some tips for a blossoming researcher:
* Look around and find a location you feel may have some “activity“. The more experience you have, you will see patterns of where to look. Patterns in timelines, locations, types of architecture, and geographical locations. Don’t rely on popular places already researched by others. A experienced individual can fall back on experience and instincts.
* Before entering the location, study it. Use the Internet and local library to find out the history behind the location. Look into both why you believe it is haunted and when. Did other “events” happen before or after the timeline your looking at? What other locations near by may or may not be connected. Are there any dated historical maps or pictures? Take your time and record very detailed notes on what you find and read. This particular step is very important due to it can help you see quickly if the location you are reviewing is worth investigating or not. Remember the more facts you collect, the better you are in this field.
* Interview and speak with people connected to the location. This can be done in many ways such as in person, over the phone, or by e-mails. I highly recommend you do this in a professional matter. Listen and read very carefully. Do what they say match what you previously read and looked up earlier? Do names, dates, events, and locations repeat exactly or very similar. Keep in mind many ghost stories are like camp fire tales, and can alter frequently by the different people you contact. Ask a lot of specific questions and remember to remain polite. Never be forceful or blunt, due to this is often a “touchy subject” with many people, especially those directly involved. After you have contacted and spoke with a few people on the subject, compare them to each other. How many reports match each other, as well as what you looked up earlier. If there is a lot of reoccurring or common information dealing with the subject you are researching, continue your investigation. If not, you may be “spinning your wheels” and this location may be a bust.
Quick side notes:
* No not be easily disappointed by your findings at this point. Many locations may fill filled with legend, however there is no truth or actual “haunting” “ or “secret mysteries” behind them. Many researchers have had years pass before finding and experiencing a actual haunting or witness a “event“.
* Many web sites on ghost and paranormal subjects do not offer factual information. Keep to sites sponsored by reputable historical and scientific groups, government or township websites/ records, and factual historical community sites. “Billy Bob’s Ghosts and Gifts, Haunted Investigations by Grand Wizard Steve, or Ghosthuntingislikewaycool.com will only bring dead ends and disappointment. Choose your sites both wisely and in a scientific/ historian matter.
* Never prejudge or assume all your research is completely factual or false. This type of investigation is not a complete science, and many results will never be “black and white”. Always look at the research of any locations objectively, and often weigh the pros and cons of an actual haunting. A true “expert” researcher has both an open mind, yet remains a scientist/ historian/ skeptic.
One of these “experts” I personally know was honest with me on the subject. “Generally people only want to hear the good parts and get the little thrill out of it. The same thrill why most people watch horror movies. If you take the time to explain history and dates, you will either loose people’s short attention or simply bore them. As I said people only want to here the juicy stuff…….. Sometimes in order to keep their attention you may have to “elaborate or interpolate” some details.” I understood what he was saying, even though it made me sick. He, like many others have lost rack on what the purpose of what a researcher/ reporter should do. Simply, people have lost what the field truly is and does, or to conduct a actual and factual investigation
With this said, here is some tips for a blossoming researcher:
* Look around and find a location you feel may have some “activity“. The more experience you have, you will see patterns of where to look. Patterns in timelines, locations, types of architecture, and geographical locations. Don’t rely on popular places already researched by others. A experienced individual can fall back on experience and instincts.
* Before entering the location, study it. Use the Internet and local library to find out the history behind the location. Look into both why you believe it is haunted and when. Did other “events” happen before or after the timeline your looking at? What other locations near by may or may not be connected. Are there any dated historical maps or pictures? Take your time and record very detailed notes on what you find and read. This particular step is very important due to it can help you see quickly if the location you are reviewing is worth investigating or not. Remember the more facts you collect, the better you are in this field.
* Interview and speak with people connected to the location. This can be done in many ways such as in person, over the phone, or by e-mails. I highly recommend you do this in a professional matter. Listen and read very carefully. Do what they say match what you previously read and looked up earlier? Do names, dates, events, and locations repeat exactly or very similar. Keep in mind many ghost stories are like camp fire tales, and can alter frequently by the different people you contact. Ask a lot of specific questions and remember to remain polite. Never be forceful or blunt, due to this is often a “touchy subject” with many people, especially those directly involved. After you have contacted and spoke with a few people on the subject, compare them to each other. How many reports match each other, as well as what you looked up earlier. If there is a lot of reoccurring or common information dealing with the subject you are researching, continue your investigation. If not, you may be “spinning your wheels” and this location may be a bust.
Quick side notes:
* No not be easily disappointed by your findings at this point. Many locations may fill filled with legend, however there is no truth or actual “haunting” “ or “secret mysteries” behind them. Many researchers have had years pass before finding and experiencing a actual haunting or witness a “event“.
* Many web sites on ghost and paranormal subjects do not offer factual information. Keep to sites sponsored by reputable historical and scientific groups, government or township websites/ records, and factual historical community sites. “Billy Bob’s Ghosts and Gifts, Haunted Investigations by Grand Wizard Steve, or Ghosthuntingislikewaycool.com will only bring dead ends and disappointment. Choose your sites both wisely and in a scientific/ historian matter.
* Never prejudge or assume all your research is completely factual or false. This type of investigation is not a complete science, and many results will never be “black and white”. Always look at the research of any locations objectively, and often weigh the pros and cons of an actual haunting. A true “expert” researcher has both an open mind, yet remains a scientist/ historian/ skeptic.
