Real Ghost Sightings

About Real Ghost Sightings

Are Ghosts Real?

While there are plenty of skeptics on the subject of the afterlife, there is no doubt that people are fascinated with the subject of ghosts. All you have to do is turn on the TV and watch any one of the many paranormal shows like Ghost Hunters and Scariest Places on Earth to realize there is a growing obsession with the supernatural. Are the sightings presented in these shows actually the real deal, or are they manufactured to deliver what the public is looking for?

The belief that ghosts are real has been around for centuries. There are those who emphatically believe that they've encountered or share their home with a ghostly spirit. Others scoff at the idea, quickly pointing out that any sort of apparition can be scientifically explained. Obviously, the jury is still undecided about the reality of ghosts, so paranormal investigators continue their quest for the truth.

Documenting Real Ghost Sightings

Real ghost sightings, or at least sightings that can't be debunked through conventional science, are the exception rather than the norm. Documenting paranormal activity is tricky at best, so it helps to be prepared if you plan to actively attempt to document suspected spirit activity.

• If you happen to have a digital or video camera, try to record some physical documentation of the phenomenon. If you have time, experiment with your digital camera by taking pictures with and without the flash. Be sure and make several copies of your pictures or video, but always keep your originals.
• As quickly as possible, jot down as many details as you can remember about the sighting, including the date, time of day and the location where the sighting occurred. Be as specific as possible.
• You should also note the atmospheric conditions during the event, even if the appearance took place inside. Weather can and often does affect equipment operation.
• If the appearance took place at night, note the phase of the moon as well. Sometimes reflections account for many would-be sightings. This kind of information may be necessary for an attempt to reproduce conditions in order to debunk a suspect photo.
• Describe the ghost's movements, if any, and try to remember how long the appearance lasted as well. Don't forget to document any noises associated with the event.
• If anyone else saw the same apparition, be sure to write down his or her name, address and phone number for future reference.
• As you document your experience, pay close attention to how you felt during the ghost's visit. Did the room get colder? Did you feel a sudden change of emotion? Noting these details may help you better realize conditions that proceed a ghostly visitation. In turn, this could help you anticipate the moment and better prepare to capture activity.
• If you experience a sighting, try looking up historical information on the location to see if your ghost might correlate to a person who used to live at the site.
• Finally, take all of these details and write a complete narrative, essentially creating your own ghost story, and keep it in your records.

Ghostly Websites

The Internet offers a great opportunity to view images captured by laymen and professional investigators alike. Many of these sightings are quickly explained away as completely normal phenomena, yet a small percentage remain to fuel the flames of paranormal interest.

If you'd like to share your own spirit encounters, there are numerous websites that invite participants to send in their ghost reports, including photos and video. Many of these require you to send your information in a specific format, so be sure to read their submission guidelines.

Check out the following sites:

• Ghost Videos boasts that it offers the largest online collection of ghost videos and ghost sightings caught on tape.
• Ghost Pictures.org offers a great collection of ghostly pictures.
• Search Ghosts and Stories for videos, pictures, ghost stories and more. There is also a section just for kids.