Haunted Too. Dorah L. Williams

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      Cover

      

      Haunted Too

      Incredible True Stories of

      Ghostly Encounters

      Dorah L. Williams

      Dedication

      This book is dedicated

      to Sylvia.

      And in memory of Leslie,

      forever in our hearts.

      Acknowledgements

      I know how it feels to be haunted. And I also understand that when it happens, you want, or even feel a need, to talk about it. But ridicule or disbelief may be the response you receive from anyone who has not had a similar experience. That often causes an understandable reluctance to discuss paranormal encounters. But if you have had something similar happen, you can relate to a ghost story much better and know if it rings true.

      Even if one is not able to relate, hearing what phenomena others have witnessed might replace one’s fear of the unknown with an awe of what might be and a more open mind.

      So I would very much like to express my gratitude to everyone who shared their personal hauntings in this book. Nothing describes a ghostly encounter better than a first-hand account, because paranormal events are so emotionally charged they seem to produce “flashbulb” memories when they occur. Whether it happened in the past few days or several decades ago, that memory will likely forever remain vivid and therefore can be clearly depicted.

      I also greatly appreciate the input of all the paranormal investigators and mediums. They were chosen from across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom to give their perspectives based on their own personal and professional experiences.

      From Canada:

      Heather Anderson — executive director for the western region of Paranormal Studies and Investigations Canada

      Rona Anderson — paranormal investigator and psychic medium, The Paranormal Explorers, Edmonton, Alberta

      Peter Clayton — author and student of the shamanic journey, Ontario

      Dave Gibb, John Tallon, and Lisa Carter — paranormal investigators, Canadian Haunting and Paranormal Society, Ontario

      Scott Hobbs — paranormal investigator, the Thunder Bay Paranormal Society, Ontario

      Kimberley Lapierre, Nicki Himmelman, and Lynsey Robson — paranormal investigators, Light Workers Paranormal Investigation, Nova Scotia

      From the United States:

      Jill Bruener — medium, clairvoyant, spiritual and psychic advisor of Paranormal Investigators of Northern Kentucky, and weekly guest for over ten years on two of Cincinnati’s top morning shows

      Jamie Jackson — paranormal investigator, Gettysburg Ghosts, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

      Ian Murphy — paranormal investigator, Paranormal Research Association of Boston

      Dr. Dave Oester — co-founder of International Ghost Hunters Society, with Dr. Sharon Oester

      Don Swain and Linda Swain — paranormal investigators, Yuma, Arizona

      From the United Kingdom:

      Barri Ghai — paranormal investigator, The Ghostfinder Paranormal Society, London, England

      Julie Harwood, Stephen Boston, Wendy Callaway, Amanda Horley, Marie Holder, Sarah Pettet, and Maria Street — paranormal investigators, Southern Paranormal UK

      Introduction

      Several years ago, my family and I lived in an old house that was very haunted, with apparitions, apports (objects that suddenly appeared out of thin air), ghostly handprints, voices and touches, and so many other paranormal phenomena that it felt almost overwhelming at times, and had quite an impact on all of us. But the more I researched and discussed this topic with others, the less afraid I became. My fear was replaced with a new appreciation and awe for what I have witnessed.

      When I wrote Haunted: The Incredible True Story of a Canadian Family’s Experience Living in a Haunted House, I thought our situation was unique. I had no idea how many others who also live with or have experienced a haunting would contact me. And the more people who did, the more I came to realize that encounters with spirits are not uncommon at all. This compilation of others’ encounters, followed by insight, advice, and paranormal experiences from those with careers in this field, show that hauntings can occur anywhere, and to anyone.

      I have been emailed by people from around the world, and from all walks of life, seeking information to better understand their own experiences. Most of them expressed the same fears and confusion that I felt myself when trying to come to terms with what was happening.

      When I first realized our house was haunted, I felt at a loss as to what to do in a situation that felt so surreal. I understand the awe, bewilderment, or fright that others expressed to me regarding the hauntings they were trying to comprehend. And some felt they had no other option than to sell their homes and move away. But because all I could offer was advice based on my own specific, limited personal experience, I realized the need was there for more in-depth information from people who are a lot more knowledgeable than I am.

      So I went looking for answers to the questions that people kept asking me when trying to understand their ghostly experiences — the same questions I had asked while our haunting was at its peak. I turned to paranormal investigators, researchers, and psychics, who were very generous with their time and knowledge, and I have compiled the information I felt was most needed.

      Basic human nature causes most people to enjoy a good ghost story, because we somehow like the sensation of being frightened. There is an adrenaline rush caused by fear that, on varying levels, most people want to experience, if only vicariously from the safety of their seat in a movie theatre or within the pages of a book. But it feels much different when it is actually happening to you. Then the fear or amazement are not caused by someone else’s imagination or experience, but by your own reality. And closing a book or walking out of a movie theatre won’t stop the real-life drama that is unfolding in your home.

      So this book has been written for two purposes. One is to share what others have felt and learned from their own paranormal experiences. And the other is to enlighten and intrigue anyone who would enjoy a vicarious “haunting” or spiritual uplifting.

      Whether frightening or poignant, these paranormal incidents are told first-hand by those who have had them. Positive or negative, these remarkable experiences made a lasting impression on them, and they felt others might enjoy or learn from hearing their stories. And so do I.

      1

      The Haunted Experiences of Others in Canada

      Western Canada

      Behind the Wall

      Quite a few years ago I lived in the attic apartment of a very old and grand Victorian-era house. By the time I moved out of there I was a firm believer in ghosts.

      I rented the attic in what was a four-plex, with tenants also living on the first two floors and one in the basement. When I first saw the apartment’s advertisement in the newspaper asking such a low rental price, I thought it must be located in a less than desirable area of the city. To my surprise, though, the neighbourhood was actually in a great location, and one that I had