Historical society talk deals with ghosts and the paranormal
By Bill Rea

Robin Bellamy spoke about ghosts and other haunting topics Sunday at the King Township Museum.

Do you think you might have a ghost in your house?

It's not so bad if you do, because a ghost will not cause you any harm, and it's fairly easy to get rid of it.

Robin Bellamy, a researcher, teacher, author, columnist and a member of Paranormal Studies and Investigations Canada (PSICAN) was the guest speaker at Sunday's meeting of the King Township Historical Society.

She said her task is to investigate reports of possible ghosts, as opposed to being what is popularly known as a "ghost buster." She added she doesn't want to get rid of ghosts, because if she did, she'd have nothing to study.

There are several types of ghosts, Bellamy said.

There are poltergeists, which are unseen, but have been known to make sounds or things move. Mackenzie House in Toronto is believed to house one of these entities. A printing press in the building, which is supposed to be locked up, has been heard operating, according to some sources. It's also been reported that staff have heard the piano playing after the house has been closed.

Other such entities are cold spots, which result in sudden feelings of cold air in otherwise warm spaces. Such incidents have been reported in Soldiers' Tower at University of Toronto and Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.

An apparition is a ghost one actually sees. Bellamy said they can look normal, but have something about them that's "not quite right," such as the way they are dressed, or the fact their legs can't be seen. "They might be around you and you're not quite sure what you're seeing," she said.

Bellamy added such an apparition has been reported in the East Asia collection at the Royal Ontario Museum.

She said other types of entities are noticed through voices or electronic voice phenomenon (EVP), and they occur when voices are heard on tape, or TV or radio that shouldn't be there. Bellamy said cell phones or the lay of the land have been known to impact on these situations.

Orbs, mists and other oddities can occur naturally, but can be the result of something paranormal. Bellamy said people can easily be mistaken about seeing such things, such as believing they see them in photographs when they just have a picture that was taken in adverse conditions.

There are places in King thought to be haunted, such as the Pioneer Cemetery in Lloydtown. But Bellamy said ghosts generally don't haunt in cemeteries, usually opting for places that were important to them in life.

Eaton Hall is another place where ghosts might haunt. There have been stories that Lady Flora Eaton walks the grounds.

"If you see her, I want a picture," Bellamy said, "autographed if possible."

She added there is no proof that there's a ghost at Eaton Hall. On the other hand, there's no proof that there isn't.

Bellamy said ghosts might haunt because of unresolved issues, but added there's no evidence to say that's the only reason.

When investigating possible ghost sightings, Bellamy said it's important there be witnesses, and they are asked to keep logs of who is seen, when, weather at the time of sightings, etc. They also conduct research on the building that's thought to be haunted, including its age and materials used to construct it. She pointed out houses built on limestone are known for slight shifts that can result in creaking noises. They also go on site, and then write a report.

Bellamy said they have a privacy policy. "A lot of people don't want to be known as 'the house down the street with the ghost,'" she explained.

The right equipment is needed when trying to track down ghosts. That includes a camera; 35 millimetre as opposed the digital, because the negative is important. There should also be a tape recorder with a microphone cord long enough to provide some distance (the mike can pick up the sound of the tape rotating). The equipment should also include a flashlight with lots of batteries. For some reason, she said, batteries are notorious for failing during these investigations. A video camera is useful too.

There are other methods that Bellamy said are employed for investigating ghosts, including dowsing, mediums, ouija boards, psychics, etc., but she doesn't use them.

Investigators also look at the psychology of witnesses, as well as what medications they might be on, history of mental illness, whether they're being influenced by others and their religious belief system.

Bellamy said everyone is born with the ability to see ghosts, but since most people are taught not to believe in them, that interferes with the ability.

She added she likes to think people can aspire to be ghosts, citing Harry Houdini as the most prominent example. She said he left a secret word with his wife, which he would use if he was able to come back, and apparently he did.

"This is scary stuff," Bellamy admitted, adding it can get spooky when she's home alone and thinking about things she's trying to investigate that have no logical explanations.

Bellamy also urged people not to pay a lot of money for people to get rid of ghosts in their home. There's lots of material available on the Internet on how to do it. Since ghosts are generally reasonable, she said it sometimes just takes asking them to leave.

She added once it's accepted that a ghost is not going to harm anyone, it's not very scary, although she agreed it can be annoying.

Bellamy said her favourite ghost that she encountered was Captain Jim, who evidently ran a steamboat on the Ohio River is the 1940s. She said she saw him in a hotel room, adding she couldn't see his legs.

"I'm waiting for the boat," she said he told her.

He disappeared before she was able to grab her camera and take a picture. "I was mad," she said, adding she later found a picture of the captain. She's working on a book about the experience.