My name is Natasha, and I am an amateur paranormal investigator living in southern New Hampshire.
I do my own investigations, usually in the company of my loving girlfriend, but I am also a part of Spirit Trackers Paranormal Society.
This blog is where I will share my own paranormal findings as well as share anything else that I find to be interesting.
The Crescent Hotel, located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, has a reputation of being one of the most haunted buildings in all of the United States, even offering guests a ghost tour. Originally built as a resort for the elite in 1886, it soon fell to disrepair and was left abandoned for a number of years. It reopened in 1908 as the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women. Again it closed down and reopened as a junior college and then a summer hotel, before becoming a hospital for cancer patients, owned by Norman G. Baker. He was later found guilty of fraud and sentenced to four years in prison. It currently stand as a hotel, arguably one of the most haunted in the world, with eight residential ghosts. The ghostly residents are said to include a young girl that committed suicide by jumping from the roof, a nurse, a dapper man in hat and tails (said to be a previous owner that died in a car accident), an Irish stonesman who accidentally fell from the roof, a bearded man from the Victorian era, a young boy, and even Norman G. Baker himself. The hotel was featured in Ghost Hunters, and the presenters recorded an apparition of a man in a top hat who was seen nodding his head.
I know that informational posts are never as exciting as evidence posts but I wanted to make sure I covered the basics if I am to continue blogging about my experiences as a paranormal investigator. This way, if you donāt understand what it is that I am referring to in my writing, this will be available as a reference. Also, if any of you have been considering trying to ghost hunt but donāt know quite where to start you will have some jumping off points. I will go through the basic equipment that I both own, as well as do not own but will mostly mention if I havenāt already.
My First Overnight Ghost Hunt Gear
Instagram: @natashadominguezā
Digital Recorder
Very basic and very important piece of equipment if you wish to try and catch EVPs or electronic voice phenomena. Digital recorders can hear much more that our own ears can physically.
Tips with Recorders
1. Buy an actual digital recorder. I have captured EVPs with an iPhone but the quality is not comparable.
2. Take short recording sessions, a minute or two max.
3. Ask a series of questions, giving them a few good seconds to reply back to you after each one. When you start a recording session note the location / time so it is easier to identify after uploading.
4. If there are any sounds captured that are not paranormal it is good to say it out loud to mark the recording, example āwalkingā or āopening doorā so you are not questioning if something you caught is paranormal or explainable.
Film Camera
I like a classic 35mm film camera to try and capture orbs which are invisible to our own eyes. There is something to be said by capturing an anomaly on film, especially if you are able to keep the negatives. Negatives are much harder to doctor than digital photographs so it can lend your investigation credibility. However, digital cameras can also serve to capture anomalies.Ā
Tips with Cameras
1. Take at least three photos of the same thing from the same view. If the anomaly shows up in all three in the same spot then it could more than likely be debunked as something explainable. Or alternatively, you can see if there is any movement of the anomaly in the time span it took you to take three simultaneous photos.
Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Detector
This is a device which measures the electromagnetic field surrounding the device. It is theorized that spirits manifest using electromagnetic energy. Short bursts of activity (or EMF spikes) can help to validate physical sensations, chills, voices, or any other activity.Ā
Tips with the EMF
1. Know what your baseline is by sweeping the room with your device first.
It is important to note that electronic devices, especially telephone wires, routers, televisions, phones etc produce an electromagnetic field.
2. Do not have your phone on you while you investigate, or put it on airplane mode.
3. If there is a significantly high spike in a certain area of a room look around - is a telephone pole directly next to the closed window? Are there wires or electric boxes nearby to explain for the reading?
4. Record your EMF with video during your investigation - this is the only way it will help validate your experience, and it gives you something to look back on for something you may have missed before.
sb7 Spirit Box
This is a device that is more controversial. It operates by rapidly sweeping through either AM or FM radio waves either forward or backward. The rapid sweeping creates a loud rapid white noise sound which spirits are able to speak through in real time using electromagnetic energy.
Tips with the Spirit Box
1. The more you use it, the more comfortable you will be using it.
2. Radio stations can interfere, especially in city areas. Although it would be catching just a portion of a second of a voice coming through, it can also be mistaken as otherworldly. A tip would be to wait until you can hear a word or sentence coming through over multiple wavelengths (or sweeps of the stations) before jumping to conclusions.
3. The Spirit Box does not record itself on its own, you have to be recording it from a separate device if you want to keep your evidence.
4. Short sessions, similar to the digital recorder EVP sessions, are also recommended.
5. You need a separate speaker in order for it to be effective.
Night Vision Camera
You can go multiple routes when it comes to what you are able to obtain for your night vision camera. Infrared light is typically what will be the most available for this purpose. There is also thermal and full spectrum available. If you have a decent DSLR with HD video then a few infrared attachments would be ideal for getting started.Ā
Tips with Night Vision Cameras
1. Try using a tripod, that way if anything moves or happens visually, the camera will not be moving which means you could potentially miss or suggest that it may not be credible.
2. Extra storage cards and extra batteries. Always.
Other Devices
Phasmabox: A software available for Windows operating systems very similar to the Spirit Box but works using internet radio waves, or can operate off of itās own database. It eliminates the constant static sweeping noises that the Spirit Box produces which it makes it much easier to decipher. Also see: Ghost Box
Ovilus: This is a device with takes reading from the surrounding atmosphere (temperature, EMF, etc.) and interoperates into a code which will trigger specific words to come up on a screen. This device is also controversial with some, but some of the evidence obtained from this invention is certainly intriguing. Also see: Paranormal Puck
REM Pods: This device usually lights up and has a range of intensity depending on the level of electricity encountering the antenna.
What equipment do you find essential in capturing evidence of the paranormal?
Ā As always, questions, comments, and friendly suggestions are always welcome.
*All photos except the Instagram photo at the very beginning, are not mine. I do not take credit for any of those photos as they were sourced from Google Images.
Date / Time: April 28, 2017 8:00pm - April 29th 7:00am EST
A Brief History
The Houghton Mansion was built by the first mayor of the city of North Adams in the year 1890. Ā Mr. Albert Charles Houghton was the president of Arnold Print Works, which is where he obtained his fortune and could be easily assumed by viewing the luxury of his third home in the city. Ā Mr. Houghton lived here with his family including his wife, and his daughter Mary in the summer months. Ā In 1914 the family purchased a vehicle, and in a pleasure drive up towards Brattleboro VT, the familyās chauffeur Mr. Witherās, attempting to veer around stopped horses on the side of the road, caused the vehicle to loose itās footing on the shoulder and tumbled down a steep cliff. Ā Mary at the age of 23, and Mrs. Hutton, a family friend and neighbor, were killed as a result of the accident. Ā Struck with guilt, the chauffeur Mr. Witherās killed himself with a horse pistol a couple of days later on the property. Mr. Houghton himself died just 10 days after the accident in his own bedroom. Years later, the property was sold to the Freemasons by the Houghtonās eldest daughter and they built a large temple attached to the mansion to use in their secret meetings and rituals. An important fact to also note was that the mansion was built upon an already existing foundation of a prior home which was moved before the Houghton Mansion was built. Ā (Houghton Mansions Haunted History, n.d.).
The Investigation
My girlfriend Jen and I went to The Houghton Mansion as a part of an investigation through the company Ghost Hunts USA, which offers investigations in many of the countryās most haunted locations. Ā This was the last overnight investigation offered at the Houghton Mansion as the city of North Adams had recently declared that no investigation groups can remain the in house past 3am EST until it goes through renovations to bring it up to code. Ā There is no estimated date at which these renovations will be started or completed so I do feel lucky that we were the last group allowed to stay overnight.
After a brief orientation with the lead investigators and a ālights-onā tour from one the the Freemasonās who actively works in the building, Rick, we all met in the Masonic Temple for a guided experiment / investigation orientation. Ā I volunteered to sit in one of the Freemason chairs as they spoke about the spiritās dislike for women in that room specifically. Ā Multiple times while sitting in the chair in the dark I felt waves of chills come over my body. Ā We all experienced multiple EMF spikes as well as voices coming through EVPs and the Phasmabox, which the first time I was introduced to this Spirit Box-like software.
After the initial excitement of the group investigation we were split off into 3 separate groups with about 10 people per group.Ā Our group started on the third floor, which is considered to be the servantās floor, then down to the second floor where Mr. Houghton and Maryās bedrooms are located along with the Freemason temple, and lastly we moved down into the basement.Ā Our group met with about 2 lead investigators at a time on each floor for about an hour at a time, where they operated equipment like the SB7 Spirit Box, REM pods, Electromagnetic Field Detectors, and my favorite new discovery the Phasmabox.Ā This part of the night is actually where we experienced a lot of activity, not only through the equipment but physically as well.
After this portion of the night had concluded, around 2:15am EST, we were free to explore and investigate of our own accord until the morning came. Ā Although we did bring and set up an air mattress in a dining room on the first floor, we did not pause to rest once until packing up and heading out the next morning around 6:30am EST.
The Experience
THIRD FLOOR
Mr. Witherās Room: Mr. Witherās room is the only room in the mansion where there is no working electricity. Ā There have been reports from neighbors that they would see lights on in this room when nobody is present in the building. Ā We did not experience this personally, but did happen to catch an orb on the disposable camera. Ā Minimal voices came through the SB7 Spirit Box, but when they did it almost sounded like a little girl which was concerning.
Scrying Room: Outside of Mr. Witherās room there is a very small room, with a small closet which is painted black on the inside in itās entirely. Ā There was an old armchair, and a mirror against the wall with electric candles on the ground (there is no flame allowed in the building.) Jen and I volunteered to give it a shot and try scrying. Ā A lead investigator shared with us a photograph of what appeared to be an apparition of a womenās face in the corner of the mirror which a guest had caught in a prior investigation. Ā This was the first time either of us had tried the art of scrying which involves clearing your mind, holding a candle underneath oneās face and staring at oneās self in the mirror until in a trance-like state. Ā One person would sit in the armchair with the candle and the other would stand behind the armchair, also looking into the mirror. Ā We both experienced a change in our facial features but with neither of us having any experience with scrying it is hard to say if it was a natural experience or something paranormal.
Sword Room: I am not sure what else to call this room as it was more of a main landing point for the third floor. Ā There were a lot of locked cabinets and furniture in this room which we were told was storing swords and other masonic artifacts. Ā During our first investigation of this room, no voices came through the Spirit Box, but we did get words coming through the Ovilus along the lines of āSlayā āBloodā and āSwordā which was eerily relevant. Ā Later, in the early morning we revisited the room and got a voice through the Spirit Box identifying as George, a Freemason as well as a lot of high EMF spikes. Ā Another guest who joined us on our solitary investigation kept asking questions about the basement and George would go silent.
SECOND FLOOR
Masonic Temple: During the orientation investigation with the entire group, there were many voices coming through the Phasmabox, both male and female. Ā Upon asking how many spirits were in the mansion, there was a voice that said āEleven.ā Ā It would go silent anytime anyone asked about what was in the basement. Ā Like what was mentioned earlier, I experienced waves of chills while sitting in a Masonic chair unlike I have ever felt before. Ā There was also a few times that flashlights that were strategically placed throughout the room would go on and off in response to questions. Ā Later that night during our solo Ā investigation I asked if anyone could please knock to let us know if they were there. I knocked twice on a wooden table as an example, and directly after that we heard two small knocks coming from the back right corner of the room where a piano was located.
Mr. Houghtonās Room: During the guided investigation the Phasmabox was used this room. There were multiple voices coming though both male and female. Ā My favorite part of the whole thing was when a woman sneezed in our group and the Phasmabox came though clear as day and a female politely said ābless you.ā Ā Later in the night, we did re-visit Mr. Houghtonās room but it had gone quiet.
Maryās Room: Easily one of the most active rooms in the mansion. Ā I caught multiple orbs on the disposable camera as well as on video during the guided investigation. Ā There were high EMF spikes and even periods of times where it would spike and then stay at that level. Ā During the guided investigation a female voice came through the Phasmabox when being asked about the basement and said the word āAGGRESSIVE.ā Ā
BASEMENT
Main Area: In my opinion the basement is an area of controversy. Ā It is believed by the Masons that the spirit of a small child or multiple children reside in the basement. Ā This belief has caused many visitors and guests to bring and donate many children's toys which were left in the main area of the basement as an offering. Ā However, it is my belief that there are no children in the basement but something much darker, and solitary. Ā Many people, even throughout the rest of the night described seeing a shadow figure here. Ā During the guided investigation of the basement the Phasmabox was used to ask questions and we were getting responses but it would go silent every time someone asked what year they were born, how old they were etc. A question about the height of the entity in the room as asked and ā7 feetā came through. Ā The energy in the basement was very different than the rest of the mansion. Ā A self proclaimed āskepticā was asked to sit in a chair alone in an adjacent room in the basement while the rest of the group remained in the main room looking in on him. (This was captured in a film photograph where an orb was pictured in the middle of the room.) Ā This individual alone in the other room reported feeling the hair on the back of his neck stand up and feeling something touch the top of his head.
Electric Chair Room: There was another very small room adjacent to the main room in the basement where an old and decrepit electric chair was housed. Ā There is no detail as to why this chair was in the basement, but it had been there for years. Ā It is my belief that it had something to do with the Freemasons. Ā In the very early morning, we chose to go into the basement for a last attempt at catching our own evidence down there. Ā We brought EMF detectors, the digital recorder, the SB7 Spirit Box, and the disposable camera. Ā There were minimal spikes on the EMF, and no voices coming through the spirit box. Ā We attempted an experiment with a small ball on the ground but it did not move the entire time we were down there. Ā Lastly, we entered the electric chair room and when I brought the Spirit Box to the right hand corner of the room, where there were a few wooden cobwebbed crutches against the wall, we heard a voice come through the Spirit Box for the first time while we were down there but it was unintelligible. Ā Jen said out loud that she wanted to take the last few photos on the disposable camera of the electric chair before we left, and the Spirit Box came through very clearly saying the word āCHAIR.ā Ā In the photos of this chair, you can see a dark mass coming from the same right hand corner where the crutches were, so thick that it starts to block the view of the feet of the chair almost entirely.
OTHER AREAS
The Attic: During the ālights onā tour, Rick made a point to bring us up the staircase behind the auditorium which was located on the first floor directly underneath the Masonic Temple. Ā At the top, there was a small pathway which lead to one small open room with one window which was identified as the attic. Ā Rick suggested that if we were interested in experiencing some strange activity to spend some time up here alone. Ā Naturally, this is the first location that Jen and I went during our free time, but it was very quiet and there was no activity at that time. Ā At the suggestion of our new friend who stayed up with us all night investigating while his friends went to get some sleep, we re-visited the attic. Ā The three of us sat in chairs around an overturned bucket which I used as a table for the Spirit Box. Ā This is where we met our second spirit by name, Bill. Ā This was actually the first full-blown intelligent conversation that I have ever had with the other side. Ā Bill let us know through the Spirit Box that he came to the attic looking āfor quiet.ā Ā He refused to throw a pebble or make a noise to let us know where in the room he was because he ādidnāt want to.ā Ā We asked if he knew any of our names, and he said āJustinā which was the name of the guy who was with us. Ā We asked if he worked for the Houghton Family and he said āyes,ā we asked if he worked inside the house and he said the words āfield worker.ā Jen asked if spirits ever sleep, almost out loud to herself as it was then 5am, and Bill came through again saying ākind of.ā Ā When Justin asked about what was in the basement, if there were the spirits of multiple children down there like many believe, the word āoneā came through multiple times.
CONCLUSION
The 10-11 hours spent inside the Houghton Mansion were easily the most paranormally active hours we have ever spent inside of a location. Ā There is so much history to this location, both told and untold. Ā If I could re-do it, I would want to make sure that I have recorders going during the guided Phasmabox sessions, and a higher quality night vision video camera. Ā The experiences we had inside that location greatly outnumber the evidence which was actually caught. Ā However, I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to be some of the last over night investigators allowed inside the Houghton Mansion and I am greatly looking forward to the day in which I am able to return.
References:
Houghton Mansion's Haunted History. (2012, April 02). Retrieved July 15, 2017, from http://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/articles/houghton-mansions-haunted-history
Located in Los Angeles, California, The Canfield-Moreno Estate, also commonly known as The Paramour Mansion, was once the scene for a number of extravagant high society parties. The lavish mansion was also used as a set for Halloween H20: 20 Years Later, Intolerable Cruelty, and Scream 3. It has also been used as a recording studio by a number of recording artists including Gwen Stefani, My Chemical Romance, Sting, and Elton John. The grand estate is also said to be haunted. The band, My Chemical Romance, were set to record their albumĀ āThe Black Paradeā inside the mansion when they experienced a number of odd occurrences - disembodied dogs barking, doors inexplicably slamming closed, bathtubs filling with water, and night terrors. The lead singer, Gerard Way, said he awoke in the middle of the night and felt as though somebody was strangling him. This bizarre experience became the inspiration for the song,Ā āSleep.ā
At first glance, these intricate doll houses probably look like they belong in a childrenās bedroom. However, upon closer inspection, what is being portrayed inside the doll houses in anything other than happy families. Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death are a series of eighteen doll houses, created by Frances Glessner Lee. At a time when forensic science was virtually non-existent, these doll houses were created to aid in the solving of unsolved murders. Frances would inspect the crime scenes and attend the autopsies to create a scene that was as accurate as possible.
I can see the flash of lightning outside my window as I sit by my salt lamp tonight reflecting on how 2017 has been a big year for myself as a part of the paranormal community, and how excited I am to see what the rest of the year has in store!
Photo Credit: Instagram @natashadominguezāĀ
Earlier this year, in late April, I pulled an all nighter in the haunted Houghton Mansion in North Adams and experienced way more paranormal activity than I had even hoped for. So much so that I am daunted by the task of reviewing all of my audio files for evidence. (I may investigate but I am no audio tech, apparently.) However, I have gone though all visual evidence, and coupled with what I physically experienced in that building- I am beyond thrilled! (Audio evidence will come eventually.)
I was interviewed for a digital newsletter at work as their first āHumans of New Yorkā inspired employee spotlight for my āspooky skillsā. I made sure to have them include my email, in hopes of getting some leads on local haunts / homes but it proved to be fruitless. Honestly, itās my actual work building I would rather investigate since itās in the mill district of Manchester, NHā¦Ā Let the embarrassment pursue.
Photo Credit: 17 Spooky Photos of Philadelphiaās Eastern State Penitentiary
I also am very excited that I booked my second overnight investigation for my birthday weekend next month at the Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia, PA. This one will not be an all nighter, but will offer plenty of time for a self guided tour in the daytime, and a solid 5 hours of investigation in the dark until midnight. Second location featured on Ghost Adventures - Check!Ā
Most recently, I was invited to become a part of a newly formed, state licensed non profit organization, Spirit Trackers Paranormal Society, based right here in Manchester. This has been so recent actually, that we have yet to hold our first meeting, which ideally will happen in the coming week. But the co-owners already have a promising lead on a historic location that has never been investigated before so I am very excited to see how it all pans out.
With all of the recent things that have been happening in this realm for me recently, I decided I better become a better blogger. After all, what good is capturing evidence if you canāt share it with the world?
Hashima Island is an abandoned island which lies approximately 9 miles from Nagasaki, Japan. It was once a bustling mining community, with undersea coal mines. From 1930 to the end of the Second World War, prisoners of war were sent to the island and forced to mine coal under harsh conditions. Itās estimated that approximately 1,300 prisoners perished on the island. When the coal reserves dissipated in 1974, the mine was closed and the island left abandoned.
Said to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in the United States and probably even the world, Resurrection Cemetery is located in Justice, Illinois. A myriad of bizarre and unexplainable phenomena have been reported from this very cemetery.
One of the most infamous ghost stories the takes place in this cemetery is that of Resurrection Mary. Beginning in the 1930s, several drivers have reported driving alongside the cemetery when they spot a young female hitchhiker dressed in a formal white party dress. She is described always as having blonde hair and blue eyes. Whenever the driver gets close, the young hitchhiker disappears into thin air. Legend says that the hitchhiker was at a party with her boyfriend when they got into an altercation and she stormed out into the blistery cold only to be killed by a hit-and-run driver who left her to die in the cold. Ā
As a matter of fact, in 1934, a 20-year-old woman called Mary Bregovy was killed in a car accident. She was laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery in her best white gown. According to legend, it is this Mary that wanders the cemetery searching for her grave.
The land on which this popular pub now stands has been rife with historical mayhem which may have become a contributing factor to its reputed hauntings. Ā There are differing reports one what all has been constructed on the spot but for one point there is no contention: Ā In the 1909, a larger style building (some sources say hospital, others say hotel) burned to the ground on this location and in some stories, it is said that there was at least a single fatality. Ā There have been plenty of renovations and add-ons to the structure throughout the years which is well-known to be a catalyst for paranormal activity.
Some of the activity said to occur includes the mischief caused by a spirit known as Charlie Klein, an old bootlegger with the normal vices of the 1920s. Ā The story of Charlie Klein ends on a sad note as the poor man committed suicide and his ghost continues to roam about, knocking things off the shelves and generally causing havoc. Ā Female spirits also wander about the premises, banging the toilet lids up and down when thereās nobody in the stalls. Ā A female apparition is said to walk up and down the basement stairs.
Videos taken of alleged paranormal activity at Katieās can be found on their YouTube Channel Here.
Since I love watching these when Iām so bored. I thought that I would share them for all of you to look at. Here is a small list of links to live cams. You can watch for Ghosts, UFOs, Etc. Iāll update them from time to time, when I find more to watch. These links are clean of nasty stuff and free to click on.
The existence of paranormal entities is widely debated. Some people have direct experience with non-human and non-living beings, while some dismiss the idea as ridiculous. No matter what you believe, you have probably heard the following terms in reference to supernatural entities and while some terms seem interchangeable, these refer to specific presence.
Spirit - General term for any non-physical entity.
Ghost - The most common term used to refer to a spirit is āghostā, but āghostā refers only to spirits of once-living things, like humans and animals.
Poltergeist - The termĀ āpoltergeistā refers to two kinds of supernatural activity. One involves spirits, human or otherwise, that cause havoc or chaos. These spirits often manipulate electronics and objects to elicit a reaction from the living. The second form of poltergeist haunting has to do with energies emitted from children or adolescents that manifest physically and cause chaos.
Thoughtforms - Thoughtforms are entities created by thought energy. Though they are usually created for a certain purpose, they can often develop a mind of their own and their own agendas.
Residual Hauntings - Residual hauntings are caused by leftover energy or emotions from a specific event that leaves an imprint in the physical world. These hauntings may manifest as a recurring physical events, such as a certain object being moved over and over again or a specific sound being heard with no source.
Shadow People - Shadow People are figures seen on the edge of oneās vision. They are considered to be bad omens
Parasitic Entities (Demons) - Parasitic entities (including what some refer to as Demons) are supernatural beings that feed off of the energy of a living host or victim.
Doppelgangers - Doppelgangers are spirits that appear in the form of a living person. They are known to appear to a person as themselves to warn them of their imminent death.
Guides - These spirits could have once been human, but do that is not always the case. They linger close to certain people in order to watch over them. These spirits are known to communicate with mediums.
On the night of June 9, 1912, eight people, including six children, were murdered in this house by an unknown assailant wielding an ax. Ā The murders, not surprisingly, caused a national sensation, and while many suspects were questioned and even tried ā later acquitted ā this mass murder remains unsolved to this day. Ā Either from the violence of their deaths, or their unresolved nature (maybe a little of both), this house has subsequently become a very active sight for the supernatural. Ā Apparitions have often been seen, and disembodied footsteps and voices are common occurrences. Ā The sight and sounds of the children are the most widely reported, with EVPs and personal accounts indicating laughing and then crying, as well as some children telling others to hide.Ā
There are a number of spooky tales from Louisiana, but one of the most enthralling is that of Manchac Swamp. First of all, Manchac is rumoured to be haunted. Itās also rumoured to be the haunt of Rougarou, the Cajun werewolf. As well as that, itās said to be haunted by Julia Brown, a once practising voodoo priestess, who put a curse on the entire town the day she died. Legend says that on the day of her funeral in 1915, a deadly hurricane ripped through the town, destroying three villages and killing a number of people. A number of curious visitors to the swamp have reported hearing shrill screams from a disembodied woman.
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