Michiana Supernatural Alliance
Ghost Hunting 101:
The Importance of Research
I have heard of other "ghost hunting" groups who do not believe in
researching the history of the places they are investigating. They claim that the
research would "taint" their findings. I feel this is a BIG mistake. How can
they have a clue about what they are investigating without finding out the history
of the location? At best, failure to research (either before or after) will have you
making false assumptions as to what you find. At worst, it can put your own life at risk.
While my last statement might sound extreme, consider this. You go in to investigate an
abandoned house. The house has bad floor joists (or ceiling beams, stairs, etc.). But,
you don't know that because you never bothered to check on the history of the house.
I think you can connect the dots from there.
Prior research can tell you all the interesting (as well as the problematic) things
about the location you are investigating. For instance, research can show you what was
on the site previously, or who may have died there. Were there any hidden spaces or "secret"
rooms. What parts (of a structure) are newer than the rest and when they were added on.
This would keep you from expecting 100+ year old ghosts in a 20-year old building expension.
While they might be there, it would not be a location where they would be expected.
In short paranormal investgaions is detective work.
We would not be doing that work properly without complete research.
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