True Ghost Stories

Famous True Ghost Stories

While it's fun to tell ghost stories around a cozy campfire, it's the true ghost stories experienced by real people that bring us the biggest chills.

The following examples outline three of the most famous true ghost stories. Each of these stories are supported by multiple eye-witness testimonies and other supporting evidence.

The Bell Witch

Background: The Bell Witch is a famous poltergeist that haunted the family of John Bell at Adams Station, Tennessee in 1817. The family heard noises and voices and were even sometimes pinched or slapped by an invisible entity. John's daughter, Betsy Bell, bore the brunt of the haunting, and she was constantly tortured by the spirit. In 1820, John Bell died from poisoning, and the screeching ghost claimed responsibility for the deed.

Evidence: This haunting is supported by historical eyewitness accounts, the most significant being that of General Andrew Jackson. The General took a team of men to investigate the haunting, and all of the men experienced the activity firsthand. Jackson is reported to have said he'd rather deal with the British than the Bell Witch.

The Amherst Poltergeist

Background: The Amherst Poltergeist is one of the most frightening poltergeist accounts in Canadian history. The activity centered around Esther Cox, age 19, who lived on Princess Street in Amherst. After nearly being raped by a local shoemaker named Bob MacNeal, Esther started experiencing violent poltergeist activity including moving objects and loud noises. Her body even swelled mysteriously.

Evidence: A number of eye-witness accounts support this story, including Dr. Carritte who examined the girl because of the swelling. While attending to the girl, the doctor reported watching the words "Esther Cox you are mine to kill" etch itself into the wall plaster by unseen hands. According to The Great Amherst Mystery by Walter Hubbell, the doctor later wrote to a colleague regarding the case, expressing the sentiment that no one would believe him if he published what he had witnessed. In fact, he wouldn't believe if he hadn't experienced it for himself.

Amityville

Background: The Amityville haunting is one of the most famous American hauntings. The story centers around George and Kathy Lutz and the home they moved into on December 18, 1975. For 28 days, the Lutz family experienced odd phenomena such as disembodied voices, windows and doors opening, Lutz' wife levitating over her bed and other disturbing occurrences.

Evidence: Much of the phenomena was experienced by priests, police officers and subsequent investigators. George Lutz has photographs of many of the entities and manifestations that many investigators agree appear authentic.

Are Ghosts Real?

While the field of the paranormal is filled with stories that aren't true or made up by people seeking attention, any legitimate investigator of the paranormal who has witnessed such real phenomena will tell you that many of these stories are true, and that hauntings continue to trouble families even today.

A Silent Epidemic

On October 24, 2003, George Lutz spoke at a paranormal conference at Penn State University. According to a report by Amityvillehorrortruth.com, after offering his perspective on his Amityville experience, a member of the audience asked why he thought it was important to share his family's experience.

Mr. Lutz' answer outlined why most people who suffer through paranormal experiences remain silent.

"It's not talked about, it's not understood.... and when it happens to you, you become an alien to everyone else."

More Resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing a real life true ghost story, it can often help to talk about your experience with someone who understands the reality of the phenomenon and can help you to deal with it.

A few of the more well-established paranormal research organizations include:

• Alabama-Mississippi - The Gulf States Paranormal Society
• Alberta - SIGA Spectral Investigators Group of Alberta
• Arizona - ICPIR
• California - Sacramento Valley Paranormal Investigators
• Florida - Spirit Investigations
• Idaho - Idaho Paranormal Society
• Maine - Ghost Hunters Society
• Massachusetts - ORION
• Michigan - Paranormal Encounters
• Missouri - Missouri Paranormal Research
• Montana - Umbria Paranormal Research Team
• New England - Paranormal and Research Society of New England
• New York - Long Island Society for Paranormal Research
• North Carolina - Seven Paranormal Research
• Pennsylvania - Pennsylvania Ghost Hunters Society
• Rhode Island - TAPS
• Tennessee - Memphis Paranormal Investigations Team
• Utah - Paranormal Investigations Team

Whenever searching for an investigator, keep in mind that in a field such as the paranormal, there are serious and scientific investigators, as well as some who do not follow a strictly scientific method, or choose to take an untested and unorthodox approach. Often the approach they choose can make a haunting worse.

The best results come from assistance by investigators who follow a careful scientific protocol and have experience in the field. When you interview investigators, make sure you feel comfortable with their personality and their research methods, and ask them for examples of their past research.

In the end, most established paranormal research groups do an excellent job separating explainable phenomenon from authentic paranormal activity. If you are experiencing such troublesome activity, most of these research groups can offer you assistance and advice on how to put an end to the activity.