What's New in Ghost Research

June 2007 research

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:10:00 +0000

During June 2007, Fiona Broome will be researching these locations: United States

Boston, Massachusetts

Cambridge, Massachusetts

England

London (especially the Tower of London and Highgate Cemetery)

Stratford-upon-Avon

Warwick (especially Warwick Castle)

York

Hollow Hill's office will be closed until June 25th. No emails can be answered during that time, and the phone will be on voicemail.

Austin book - pre-order through June 1st

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:08:00 +0000

Between now and noon on June 1, 2007, you can pre-order a personally autographed copy of Fiona Broome's new book, The Ghosts of Austin. For more information about this very limited offer, see this page.

Changing formats

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Wed, 09 May 2007 17:52:00 +0000

Every year, around May, Hollow Hill experiences changes as some of our volunteers graduate from college and move to other cities. This year was no exception, and it's a bigger change than in the past. Rather than go through this year after year, it's time for us to make some changes. We've talked about our options, which included turning Hollow Hill over to someone else with a more stable professional team, or just leaving the site online without updates. We're not happy with either of those ideas. After about ten years online, it's time to reinvent Hollow Hill and take it in bigger, more interesting directions. We want it to stand out in the crowd. We're proud of Hollow Hill because we conduct serious research. If we can find the documented history of a ghost or its location, we report it whether it supports the "ghost stories" (even our own) or not. Few other ghost researchers know how to uncover this information. Most prefer to focus on folklore, whether or not it has any basis in fact. We were the first to show the effects of various natural phenomena on photos, creating false orbs and vortex images. Ours were among the first photos showing the effects of humidity, rain, sprinklers, hair, and camera straps in "ghost photos." We continue to conduct experiments to rule out natural explanations for the orbs and other anomalies in our photos at haunted sites. With those as our assets, we're considering different projects and directions for Hollow Hill, and we want to include our readers in this. We want to continue our podcasts. We also want to launch the mobile database of haunted places. And, we're eager to publish our free, online magazine on a regular basis. We'll be asking for your ideas and advice. We'll also be asking for help in various departments at Hollow Hill. With over 80,000 unique visitors to Hollow Hill's website each month, there's a huge audience that can participate in our activities. But, at least until early July, things may seem quiet at Hollow Hill. That's partly because we're conducting research in New England in May, and in England during June. It's also because we're brainstorming ideas, while saying goodbye to staff who are moving to new locations for new jobs.

New projects at Hollow Hill

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 23:04:00 +0000

We're experimenting with weekly podcasts. They'll be shorter than our monthly ones, and cover several topics. We won't be updating our "Living with Ghosts" website during February and perhaps longer, to make time for some of our other projects. We may not update the news headlines as frequently, either. As announced in November, we're working on a free mobile database for ghost hunters. It will be a list of every known haunted public site in the U.S., the U.K. and Ireland. The format will be simple HTML with few graphics, so that you can use the database on your cellphone or other mobile device. And, at the end of February, we'll have a free new ghost hunters' magazine online, in PDF format so that you can print it easily. There are other plans for Hollow Hill, too. Be sure to check the website regularly!

Charles Dickens' ghosts

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 23:55:00 +0000

We've just added a series of seasonal articles, updated from my 1998 article that originally appeared at Suite101.com.

The real ghosts of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol - How real were Dickens' descriptions? How do his spirits relate to our experiences as ghost hunters?

A Christmas Carol - astral travel and doppelgangers - There have been startling sightings similar to the ghosts and spirits in Charles Dickens' book.

The facts behind Dickens' A Christmas Carol - Was the book autobiographical?

New podcast, two new reviews

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Sat, 02 Dec 2006 16:40:00 +0000

Added this week to Hollow Hill: Free podcast: Ghosts of London, England at HollowHillPodcasts.com. New reviews:

Celebrity Paranormal Project (VH1) - Campy remake of MTV's Fear, but with celebrities providing the anxiety and screams.
Afterlife (BBC America) - Intriguing, short-lived drama about a psychic's encounters with the other side, and the skeptical psychologist who is writing about her gifts.

Ahead: We've acquired ghosthunters.mobi for an exciting new project that'll help all ghost hunters. Check back regularly for updates!

June 2007 tour of haunted England

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 15:15:00 +0000

Would you like to learn more about England's most haunted locations? Hear Fiona's brief descriptions of several ghosts and hauntings at our ghost tours page, Fiona's Ghost Tours - England, June 2007. Also, we've added some items to our newest Cafe Press shop, the Hollow Hill Shop, including posters, post cards, tee shirts, and some fun items. Remember, these are available only through the end of December.

Podcasts, TX Gov Mansion photo

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 17:50:00 +0000

It's been kind of a whirlwind here, going directly from completing the manuscript for the Austin ghost book, to "ghost season" (aka Halloween). We're doing our best to catch up! We've added several new articles in recent weeks. Our favorite new page features the best comments that we've received about the Texas Governor's Mansion photo. Read some fascinating notes about apparitions in that photo at our new page, Ghosts in Texas - What people see in the Texas Governor's Mansion photo. We've also started free monthly podcasts about real ghosts and haunted places. Our first podcast is about New Orleans' French Quarter. You can listen to our podcasts online--or download them to listen to, later--at our podcast site, Hollow Hill Podcasts (www.HollowHillPodcasts.com). You can also subscribe to our podcasts at iTunes: http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=202814558 Our podcasts are generally less than 15 minutes long, and they're ad-free, too. To see more of our news--and new articles about ghosts and hauntings--check the recent additions at our homepage, HollowHill.com. And, if you're in the Houston (Texas) area and you'd like Fiona to autograph your copy of Weird Hauntings--it features three of her true ghost stories--she'll be making two personal appearances: Saturday, October 28th at 3 p.m. - Barnes & Noble bookstore, Humble, Texas Monday, October 30th at 7 p.m. - Barnes & Noble bookstore, Westheimer & Voss, Houston, Texas

Info for writers, fixed links page

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:49:00 +0000

First, someone pointed out that our banners page was right-click protected, and readers couldn't download graphics for links. We're very embarrassed by that error! Next, we've seen a surge of emails from writers of paranormal-related fiction. To answer their questions, we're creating a series of pages featuring helpful details and--we'll admit it--stereotypes related to ghosts, ghost hunters and hauntings. (But, sometimes stereotypes are based in fact. That's our focus, to make your research easier.) All of those new writers' references will be linked from Especially for writers: Introduction to ghosts, ghost hunters and hauntings.

Ouija board safety, Dragon*Con, and TAPS

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 15:05:00 +0000

The Labor Day weekend at Dragon*Con was amazing. Fiona met hundreds of people, told true "ghost stories" on a panel, demonstrated dowsing rods, and answered thousands of ghost-related questions. Fiona returned to the office with a stack of questions to answer here at Hollow Hill. The most-asked question at Dragon*Con was about Ouija boards and their safety. Our new article addresses this topic, Are Ouija boards dangerous? Fiona also met some of the cast of the TV show, Ghost Hunters, and talks about that experience in her article, Ghost Hunters - the TAPS guys. Also, look for three of Fiona's true "ghost stories" in a new book, Weird Hauntings. It's selling quickly at Barnes & Noble; get your copy early if you'd like to read it for a good scare around Halloween. (Fiona will be doing readings and book signings around Houston, Texas during October. Ask your local B&N if they're on her schedule.) Later this week, we'll have updated ghost-related news headlines and some other announcements.

Video tips about keeping a ghost hunter's journal

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:43:00 +0000

Fiona has recorded a 15-minute video to explain what goes into a ghost hunter's journal, using our new journals as an example. Tips for keeping a ghost hunting journal You can use many of these ideas in a plain notebook, if you like. But, of course, we hope you'll like what you see in the video, and try one of our specialized ghost hunters' journals.

New products: Ghost Hunters' Journals

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:18:00 +0000

We've published our own, customized ghost hunters' journals. We're very proud of them. Learn more about them at our webpage, Ghost Hunters' Journals.

Our new Amazon store

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Thu, 24 Aug 2006 17:16:00 +0000

Amazon has given us a chance to test their stores, in beta. We could choose up to nine favorite items that they carry, and add our comments. To see our selections, visit http://astore.amazon.com/hollowhill

Parapsychology degrees, and a web freebie

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 18:07:00 +0000

Have you thought about a formal degree in parapsychology? We report on accredited degree programs related to paranormal studies in Parapsychology Degrees. We've also created some "widgets" so that you can add ghost news headlines to your website. They're automatically updated, too. Collect the free code at Free ghost headlines for your website.

The Haunting

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 23:34:00 +0000

We're almost rabidly enthusiastic about The Haunting--both the 1963 movie and the Shirley Jackson book that it's based on. Read our reviews of the book and both movies of the same title, and be sure to follow our link to the text of Shirley Jackson's chilling tale, The Lottery.

Haunted house music

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 17:28:00 +0000

We've added a new article about spooky music and sound effects. We've highlighted some of the very best eerie CDs for a "good scare." We've also provided some free MIDI classics, and links for more creepy sounds online. Whether you're planning a party or a haunted house for Halloween... or simply like Gothic background music, see our best recommendations at Haunted House Music.

Living with ghosts

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 18:25:00 +0000

We've added a few new articles recently: Residual energy imprint hauntings - Explaining one very common category of hauntings. Finding hauntings with history - If you're looking for unreported (or under reported) hauntings, start with history. At the very least, those sites should have residual energy imprints. Living with ghosts - How to cope with a ghost if your home or business is haunted. Also, at the foot of Living with ghosts, please see our request for your true experiences with ghosts. We're looking for your first-person stories about ghosts in houses, hotels, inns, restaurants, and ghosts you've encountered during ghost tours.

Glendale News-Press

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 12:15:00 +0000

For the record: Hollow Hill did not send out a press release for the Glendale News-Press. We received it, and it looks like a very strange spoof. We've contacted the Glendale News-Press about this, to see if the spoof was an honest mistake, or if this was deliberate.

Patterson Road hauntings

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Mon, 29 May 2006 15:55:00 +0000

We've completed the articles about our recent investigations with the Texas Paranormal group at Patterson Road, Houston, TX, and vicinity: Bear Creek Bridge - May 2006 - A year after our first investigation at this site, it's still dazzling with visual anomalies. Langham Creek Bridge - May 2006 - During this visit, Langham Creek Bridge seemed far more haunted than in the past. This indicates an active haunting, not a constant level of residual energy on a loop. Ghosts of Beeler Cemetery, Houston, TX - This tiny cemetery set amid corporate offices offers intriguing energy and good orbs. Be sure to see our "Notes from the Other Side."

Addicks Bear Creek Cemetery

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Fri, 19 May 2006 14:58:00 +0000

We're trying to find time for articles about last weekend's ghost hunts in and near Bear Creek Park. So far, we've posted a two-part article about Addicks Bear Creek Methodist Cemetery. It's an easy location for research, but we didn't detect ghosts there. Our photos were inconclusive. If that location is haunted at all, it's at the north end of the cemetery. However, the entire cemetery is protected by a tall, chain link fence, and the gates are padlocked, day & night.

Bell Witch articles

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Tue, 02 May 2006 20:20:00 +0000

With the upcoming movie, An American Haunting, there is renewed interest in the story of the Bell Witch. (She's a ghost or some sort of spirit, not actually a witch.) These are our first four articles about the spirit (or spirits) of Adams, Tennessee. The True Story of the Bell Witch The Bell Witch Murders What happened to the Bell family? Links to Bell Witch information

Ghosts - New London, NH

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 17:35:00 +0000

We've added more NH pages. Many of these stories are from our own research. Others come from current and former Colby-Sawyer College students. More ghosts of Colby-Sawyer College, New London, NH - a dorm-by-dorm list of ghosts. Ghosts of New London, NH - The New London Inn, the Playhouse, and the WNTK radio site all have lingering ghost stories... and fun ghosts. Ghosts of Old Center Cemetery, Andover, NH - One of the creepiest cemeteries we've ever seen, even in broad daylight. It's about half an hour's drive from Colby-Sawyer College, and set in a beautiful New England town.

Deceptive camera straps

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 20:24:00 +0000

For a long time, we thought that we could recognize a camera strap in a 'ghost picture' because it's an obvious loop, and usually on the right side of the camera. Our experiments this week showed us that a camera strap can appear to be a single line that fades away. It can look like a floating irregular shape. It can even appear as a strange shape that's walking through a solid object. Here are our reports: Ghost vortex picture... or camera strap? Strange shapes and camera straps

False and real 'ghost pictures'

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Thu, 20 Apr 2006 17:07:00 +0000

This week, we've conducted several tests to create 'fake' ghost photos. Some of the pictures were startling, while others confirmed what we'd already asserted. False ghost pictures - Hair tests - These look a lot like some 'vortex' pictures. This is confirmed by even more photos, at More fake ghost pictures with hair. False ghost orbs - Dirt and dust - This test confirmed that dust and dirt aren't such significant factors in 'ghost orb' photos. False ghost orbs - Sprinkler experiments - This is an unlikely source of false orbs, but we had to check it out, just in case. We learned that lights are more of a factor than water. False ghost orbs - Flour experiment - We'd hoped for more interesting results. Instead, we learned that it can be very difficult to fake orbs with particulate.

Buying or selling a haunted house

noreply@blogger.com (Aisling) — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 21:14:00 +0000

Recently, we talked with the owner and neighbors of a local house that's had a 'haunted' reputation. We're not sure how long its possible ghosts have been the subject of speculation, but this prompted us to look into laws regarding the purchase and sale of haunted property. Buying or selling a haunted house - Opinions, advice, and resources.