Welcome. If you're new here, be sure to subscribe to Ghost Hunting Secrets for free ghost hunting tips, videos, haunted locations, and other goodies. Thanks for visiting!

Cheryl and her husband Morris have captured an interesting video & photo of what looks like a moving orb.  In the orb photo, you will notice a long wire running across the floor.  This is the cord from the infrared (IR) camera.  The stuff on the floor is from Cheryl's parrot (the parrot cage is covered with a black drape).  Cheryl writes…

"Hi Michelle.  Here is a pic and a short video with an IR camera.  Both were captured during an EVP session in our home.  We heard noises around our parrot's cage (not bird noises).  In the photo, you will see the wires for the IR camera on the floor—also my bird's mess that I forgot to vacuum before the session. 

"In the video clip, my husband Morris felt like he got touched on the arm.  [In the video, you will see me] getting up [from the couch] to feel the cold spot he experienced.  You will see what we believe to be an orb come up from underneath the coffee table.  Then, as I stand up, the orb changes direction.   Feel free to share anything we send.  We enjoy all the info you send and it's so helpful."

Cheryl and Morris have also captured a number of EVPs in their home.  The activity began shortly after Cheryl's mother died in their home in 2006.  Here is the orb photo:

And here is Cheryl's 9-second video of a moving orb.  It's kind of difficult to see the orb, until the end of the video (just as Cheryl stands up to get off the couch).  You can clearly see the orb for a few seconds just as Cheryl is standing-up. 

Thanks to Cheryl and Morris for sharing their story, photo, and video.  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.

Many people believe the Winchester Mystery House Mansion is notoriously haunted.  The Winchester Mansion is an architectural oddity—with numerous ghosts and strange activity.  In the 1800's, the owner turned the mansion into a never-ending construction project to avenge the dead spirits killed by her husband's invention…

How the Winchester Mystery House Began
 
In 1884, widow Sarah Winchester—heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company fortune—purchased an 8 bedroom home on 150 acres in San Jose (California), and embarked on a never-ending construction project.  Her purpose?  To remove the curse of “spirits seeking vengeance” for their death at the hands of a Winchester rifle.  

Until her death in 1922, Sarah managed to keep three shifts of carpenters, architects and construction workers busy for 38 years!  By the end of her life, Sarah had turned the eight bedroom home into a 160-room Victorian mansion with three working elevators, 47 fireplaces, staircases that led to nowhere, doors that open to brick walls, and doors that open to the outside on the 2nd floor with a straight drop down.  There were no formal blueprints—Sarah would sketch out rooms on paper and tablecloths for the workers to follow. 

The Winchester Mystery House Mansion and Paranormal Activity

Sarah started the never-ending construction project after an encounter with a Spiritualist medium, shortly after the death of her husband.  In March 1881, Sarah’s husband died of tuberculosis while the couple was living in Connecticut.  (Sarah’s daughter died 15 years earlier as an infant.)  Since Sarah was having a hard time dealing with the death of her husband, she went to see a medium. 

The medium claimed her husband William was present and said, “[William] says for me to tell you that there is a curse on your family, which took the life of William and your child.  It will soon take you, too.  It is a curse that has resulted from the terrible weapon created by the Winchester family [the Winchester rifle].  Thousands of persons have died because of it, and their spirits are now seeking vengeance.”  The medium told Sarah to start a new life in the West, and to build a home for herself and for the spirits who had fallen at the hands of a Winchester rifle.  Sarah was told she could never stop building house—or the curse would take her, as it did her husband and daughter.   

So Sarah never stopped building.  Inside the Winchester Mystery House, rooms are contained within rooms, and the floor plan is very chaotic.  Sarah spent a great deal of time in a room she called “The Séance Room.”  

Paranormal activity inside the home includes numerous ghostly sightings, cold spots, disembodied footsteps & murmuring voices.  Visitors report seeing Sarah’s ghost wandering the rooms and halls of the home.  Psychics have investigated, and identified hundreds of other spirits who call the Winchester Mystery House “home.”  No one knows whether these spirits are really the souls killed by the famous Winchester rifle—or whether they are just restless spirits seeking peace.

The photo on the right shows one of the many "Doors to Nowhere" that the Winchester Mystery House contains.  Underneath the door, you can see the sign, "Door to Nowhere."  The current owners of the Winchester Mystery Mansion offer year-round tours, and the home is to the public.  Many of the architectural oddities are labeled with signs and information describing the features.  A number of the rooms on the 2nd floor have doors that lead outside—with sharp drops two stories down to the ground.

One of my subscribers, Carl, sent me an interesting orb photo and story.  He asked me to share his story and photos online with you.  Carl writes:

"I have a photo that will send a cold shiver down your spine.  My daughter at the time was 8, and she kept telling me about a woman who came to see her at night.  When I asked my daughter what the woman looked like, she described my aunt who died a few years ago (to the tee).  Then one night, my daughter told me the woman wanted her to come outside in the backyard (thank god she didn't).  Anyhow, I took a picture of my kids outside and there was an orb—but not just any orb, this had a complete FACE inside of it.  Eyes, nose, mouth… everything.  There is one photo with nothing on it, and another photo with a face inside the orb.  I took two pictures, and only one had the orb. "

Here is the photo without the orb:

Here is the photo with the orb:

 Close-up images of the orb:

 
"I zoomed-in as much as I could on the picture, and these are the best up-close images I can get.  PLEASE believe me when I say this house had to be haunted.  This picture was not messed with in any way or form—this is a true picture.  The image inside the orb looks like a skull to me.  Please remember my daughter was only 8 at the time, and she was telling us stuff that there's is no way she would know.  As you can see, I sent you both pictures, and only one had this orb in it—the other didn't.  There was no light, no moon, and the inside light and screen door were behind her.  This is the same time my daughter started seeing things—she was really scared at this house.  We had to move because of it, and the same day we moved she has NEVER seen anything again.

"However, ever since we arrived in Florida in 2005, it seems like a cloud follows us everywhere we go.  Now in our new home, we are hearing things like children crying, seeing candles fall off the wall.  Last night, I went outside and took some pictures.  The moon was covered by clouds, and no lights were on for a block.  I turned my flash off, and captured images of orbs around the outside of the house.  I’m not scared or anything.  I would even love to become a ghost hunter, just because I never really believed in them until now."

—————————-

What do you think of Carl's story and orb photo?  Feel free to leave a comment below.  I will try to post more photos when possible—since many people ask for them.  Thanks to Carl for sharing his story.

Gettysburg marks the site of the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War, which took place July 1-3, 1863. More than 50,000 men lost their lives in the three-day battle, and thousands more were seriously injured.              

The entire town of Gettysburg served as the battlefield–however, certain spots are reportedly more haunted than others.  Since 50,000 men lost their lives at Gettysburg, it’s no surprise that the area is filled with paranormal activity and many ghostly sightings.  Hotspots of paranormal activity include: The Devil’s Den, Cemetery Hill, Triangular Field, Sachs’ Bridge, and numerous private homes where generals and soldiers were housed. 

The Devil's Den — Most Haunted Spot in Gettysburg?

The Devil’s Den is one of the most haunted places in Gettysburg.  In fact, more ghosts (of slain soldiers) have been reported in the Devil’s Den than in any other location in Gettysburg.  Even without ghosts, the Devil’s Den is an eerie place because of the enormous boulders which cast shadows, and seem to have been piled-up by a giant.  Due to its unique layout, the Confederate army made use of a sharpshooter—who hid behind the massive rocks (in blind-spots) and systematically shot-down hundreds of Union soldiers as they passed through the Devil’s Den.  Eventually, Union soldiers were able to use mirrors and field glass to determine the sharpshooter’s location and kill the man.  After the battle in the Devil’s Den ended, it is believed that a war correspondent/photographer moved some bodies in order to snap a good photograph.  It is rumored that the souls of the men who were moved have never found peace—and they continue to haunt the area.

Visitors and paranormal investigators report seeing apparitions and orbs, smelling phantom gunfire, and hearing disembodied sounds.  Many visitors report having camera problems in the Devil’s Den.  Cameras and electrical equipment stop working, and fully charged batteries are drained—but when visitors leave the Devil’s Den, the cameras suddenly start working again! 

Triangular Field

Triangular Field is another area where electrical equipment and cameras often stop working.  Photo anomalies are also reported here.  When taking photos in Triangular Field, things appear on the developed picture that were not witnessed by the eye of the photographer while taking the picture.  Some visitors report that when taking photos in Triangular Field, they will see a very clear day and a grassy field in the background.  However, when receiving the developed photo, the background will be pitch black—with no grassy field in sight! 

 
Haunted Cemetery Hill & Sachs Bridge

Cemetery Hill is another paranormal hotspot.  During the war, the hill played a critical role in the Union army defense line.  Many soldiers were killed on Cemetery Hill, and their bodies were left to await burial on the streets of the town.  The smell from the rotting corpses combined with the hot July heat made Cemetery Hill one of the most gruesome places in Gettysburg. 

It is reported that after the battle, the ladies of Gettysburg walked down the streets with peppermint scented handkerchiefs pressed to their faces to mask the horrible stench.  Many visitors to Gettysburg report phantom smells, including rotting corpses—and when walking down Baltimore Street, the phantom smells of peppermint and vanilla are still present today.  Today, Cemetery Hill sits adjacent to the National Cemetery, which has expanded to include a burial ground for soldiers from other wars. 

Sachs Bridge is another location with plenty of paranormal activity.  The 100-foot long wooden-covered bridge was used during battle as a passageway across the water—and as a makeshift-hospital for the wounded.  Visitors to the bridge report the uneasy sensation of being watched, and many psychic photographs and EVP (electronic voice phenomena) have been captured here.  Some investigators report having been touched by unseen hands; others report seeing apparitions, smelling phantom smells, and hearing cannon fire.  Gettysburg is one of the top destinations for ghost hunters, history buffs, and paranormal enthusiasts.  You're bound to witness something unusual during your time here.  

The Riddle House—located in West Palm Beach, Florida—is home to poltergeist activity, and a ghost who doesn’t like men. 

The Riddle House is a historic Victorian building.  It sits in Yesteryear Village, a virtual museum of a late 1900’s era Florida town.  There are 30 buildings in the 5-acre village, and all 30 homes have either been moved intact from their original historic sites, or reconstructed from blueprints.

Ghostly activity in the Riddle House is directed toward males visiting the house, and it has turned physical (according to witnesses).  Carpenter Steve Carr had a frightening experience in the home, and says “I’ll never go into the Riddle House again.”  Steve was doing construction work in a first-floor room when the lid from an iron pot lifted three feet off its base, flew across the room, and struck him in the head.  Steve never saw the lid, but a second man did, and dragged the unconscious Steve outside the house.

Since Steve’s encounter, male security staff and visitors are not allowed to go into the attic, which is a particularly active hotspot of paranormal activity.  The Riddle House ghost is thought to be a former male border who hung himself in the attic.  His image often appears in the north or west attic windows when people on the first floor look up into the attic.  The apparition is also seen on the lower floors, and walking the Village grounds.     

During a paranormal investigation in early 2003, one investigator saw the head and chest of a black-suited man against the north window with a noose around his neck and the end attached to an attic beam.  Paranormal investigators, psychics, and parapsychologists have all reported unusual activity in the attic, including orbs, unexplained temperature increases near the west window, streaks of energy, and EVP’s from a man who hung himself because he was blamed for financial wrongdoings he didn’t commit.

The Riddle House was originally called The Gate Keeper’s Cottage because it served as a funeral parlor and the owners managed a neighboring cemetery (at the home’s original site).  During the 1980’s, Riddle House served as a girl’s dormitory for Palm Beach Atlantic College.  Today, the home is owned by John Riddle.

The Lincoln Theater is a historic theater in Illinois that was built on top of a hotel that burned to the ground in 1915—killing two men (and possibly several others whose bodies were never found). 

Many believe that the spirits from the hotel may have taken up residence in the Lincoln Theater.  Reports of hauntings at the Lincoln Theater have been around since the early 1930’s. 

During its heyday, the Lincoln Theater hosted vaudeville acts, live music, plays, magic shows and other entertainment events.  It once hosted the famous magician, Harry Houdini. 

Reports of Ghostly Activity at the Lincoln Theater

The most famous ghost is a one-armed man named “Red” (named for his red hair) who worked as a stagehand during the Lincoln Theater’s vaudeville days. 

Red died while napping at the theater.  Witnesses report a variety of strange activity at the Lincoln Theater including ghostly apparitions, the feeling of being touched by unseen hands, orbs, cold spots, and disembodied voices & footsteps that cannot be explained by the theater’s acoustics.  Another frequently seen ghost is a woman in a long, flowing, old-fashioned dress.  She is often seen on the theater balcony.  While performing, several actors have seen theater seats raise and lower by themselves—as if an unseen audience was watching them.    

The most haunted spot in the Lincoln Theater is a metal, spiral staircase at the back corner of the stage.  There have been numerous reports of voices, disembodied footsteps, and shadowy figures on the staircase.  In 1994, an entertainer who was performing onstage reported that he saw a shadowy figure lurking on the staircase, whispering to him.  When theater personnel went to investigate who was back there, they found no one.  The shadowy figure had simply disappeared.

Frank has captured an interesting photo from a stone mill.  He writes: 

Frank assures me that this is not smoke, and that the weather was not foggy.     

Frank has also captured some orb photos while visiting a local cemetery.

Thanks to Frank for sharing his photos.  Hopefully showing more photos will inspire newcomers to get out there, and start investigating.

Carole D. 's daughter has captured some interesting photos with mist, orbs and ectoplasm in them (purely by accident—see story below).  Carole writes:

The photos were taken in a courtyard of a Philadelphia church.  The temperature was in the high 50's [no bad weather conditions], and the photographer does not smoke.  The purpose of the photos was to record before-and-after pictures of a landscaping project.  The photos were taken with a 35mm camera and the first photos taken (white orb)—including photos taken outside the courtyard—did not have the mist.  It is not possible that the film was over-exposed, since the mist would be red and yellow if it was over-exposed.

Carole believes that the courtyard might have been a cemetery at one time, and was dug-up to make room for an addition. 

Lots of Philly's old churches had adjacent burial plots [and many buildings/additions were built on top of these graveyards.]  Evidently, the spirits were not happy with the intrusion after decades of neglect.  

Beginning to take photos — Orb is present.  No mist or ectoplasm yet.

 
Side view — Glowing orb to the right of the bush.  The close-up version is better than what I can display here (due to online image size restrictions).

Mist begins appearing in the photos.  Also two red dots that look like orbs on the left-hand side.

Strange mist in the shape of a figure 8

Very heavy mist

This is my favorite photo.  Ectoplasm in the shape of a hooded figure?

Here is another view of the ectoplasm-figure.

Thanks to Carole for sharing these photos!  Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below.  If you have captured photos/evidence that you want to share (provided you have permission to do so), feel free to contact me here.

I've received some questions about how (and why) people respond to ghosts and paranormal activity.  Holly writes:

I've never seen a ghost before.  But can you feel their presence?  For example, there is an area on Hwy. 71 where there has been quite a few fatal wrecks.  For some unknown reason, my heart will start racing, making it hard for me to breathe.  I also get goose bumps. This happens when I come up on this area and I'm fine after I pass it.  Doesn't always happen, but it freaks me out when it does.  Do you have any idea of why this happens?

Jacob asks a similar question.  He writes:

How do you feel the presence of ghosts around you?  I mean do you just feel cold spots or do you get shivers up your spine?

Different people feel different things around ghosts.  Some people get goosebumps—other people feel cold spots, or hot spots, or increased heartbeat.  Some people feel like they are being watched.  Others feel a strong, dense-ness of energy.  Meanwhile, some people feel nothing at all. 

Everyone responds a bit differently.  Want to see how you respond?  Spend some time in a location that is known to be haunted.  Be careful though — how you respond in one situation may be different from how you respond in another situation.

In Holly's case, a certain section of Hwy. 71 may be haunted (or it could have collected a large amount of negative energy) due to all the fatal car wrecks.  Most people can sense—on some level—energy that is different from the surrounding environment. 

A "bad vibe" feeling (in the form of goosebumps, increased heartbeat) is commonly felt in areas where negative emotionally-charged events have happened—such as death, car accidents, battle wounds, or suicide.  The human body—and the surrounding electromagnetic field—is remarkably sensitive to changes in the external environment, and will respond to these changes.  Of course, it's also possible that *fear* of a car wreck could cause goosebumps, increased heartbeat, and difficulty breathing.  Holly would need to research and investigate Hwy. 71 (that particular section) to see if there is legitimate paranormal activity.

Why Do Some People Respond with Physical Symptoms in the Presence of Ghosts & Paranormal Activity?

No one knows why some people respond physically (i.e. goosebumps) to ghosts and paranormal activity.  As mentioned earlier, the human body is remarkably sensitive and can sense changes in the external environment.  So, when things feel "unusual" (due to paranormal activity) your body is alerted.  This is an instinctive, biological response.  It may also be connected to the strong electromagnetic fields that appear in the presence of paranormal activity.

So, why do some people feel nothing in the presence of paranormal activity?  The number of people who feel absolutely nothing in the presence of strong paranormal activity is very, very small—however, factors such as your physical health, your mental and emotional state, your intelligence/awareness, and your belief system could all play a role in how you respond.

Several people have asked me about EVP's in foreign languages.  David writes:

"I've captured an EVP that sounds like the person is speaking in a foreign language.  The land was previously occupied by Native American tribes.  Can EVP's appear in a foreign language?

Yes, EVP's can appear in any language.  Normally, the EVP will appear in the language that the spirit spoke during his lifetime.  For instance, if you travel to France, most of the EVP's will be in French.  Likewise, if you live in Brazil, most of the EVP's will be in Portuguese.  Cris, a new ghost hunter from Brazil, has captured two EVP's in Portuguese. Cris also has an interesting photo with images that appear to be moving orbs—along with a strange streak across the wall.  Cris writes:

Hi. My name is Cris—I'm a girl from Brazil, and I am new to ghost hunting.  Lately, I kept hearing footsteps in a floor above my room. So I went there one day and decided to try some EVPs.  I got results.  Two different voices, one saying "Pedro" (meaning "Peter", in Portuguese) and the other one, about an hour later saying "Meu pai" (meaning "my father").  After that I decided to try and take some photos.  While taking the pictures, me and my brother, at the same time, saw a thin shadow pass.  In the photos, I got some orbs, that I believe were just dust, but there was one picture that was a little different.  I would like to know your opinion on the pic, because, being new to ghost hunting, I'm still not so good at identifing real orbs.  It's the one I circled in red that caught my attention.  I am also sending the original photo attached and the EVPs, just to illustrate.

Cris has given me permission to post her EVP's and photos online for everyone to see.

Meu Pai ("My Father" in Portuguese) EVP

Pedro EVP 

Wide-angle View :

Close-up View:

 
I'll let readers make their own determination about Cris' photo.  Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section.  Thanks to David for his question about foreign EVP's, and congrats to Cris on her EVP's (and unusual photograph).