Are children more attuned to the supernatural? Many researchers suspect that children, from the youngest ages and into early teens, are more likely to experience paranormal phenomena because they have not yet developed the prejudices that many adults have against such far-out, “unscientific” ideas. Perhaps they have not yet created their own filters for feelings and experiences that most of society consider irrational or abnormal. Or it could be that young brains or minds are, for whatever reason, physically more receptive to such phenomena as ghosts, near-death experiences, past-life recall and premonitions. They see dead relatives (often those they’ve never met in life), play with “imaginary friends” and see many other strange things that are invisible to their parents.

The rationalist or skeptic doubts or completely dismisses these accounts from children as the products of vivid imaginations – fantasies spun for the attention they receive. Or perhaps they are just the uninformed interpretations of natural events as filtered though immature minds.

What if, however, the ghosts, strange creatures, and psychic visions of children are real?

Have a story about your imaginary friend or paranormal experiences as a child, let us know

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

Today I’m going to be discussing a little bit about the equipment that our group uses.

First I’ll cover the video aspect of things.

We use a four-channel DVR that utilizes anywhere from 1 to 4 separate cameras that incorporate infrared night vision capability. These record to a built-in hard drive.  It allows us to record video in multiple areas and areas we believe that need continuous monitoring.
The next are hand held camcorders. We prefer the Sony Handycam. Some use Hi-8 tapes, others mini-DVD’s, or a hard drive. The models we use have infrared capabilities. We also utilize IR extension lights for the hand held cameras to boost their coverage. We also use digital still cameras to take still photos.

Next is our audio equipment.

While we do use the audio recording capabilities of our hand held cameras  we also use small handheld audio recorders.  We use a mixture of digital and analog voice recorders.  Our current DVR set-up has no audio so we always place a voice recorder at each camera. We also carry a recorder so we can have a record of any experience we may have and to pick up any EVP’s.

EMF Detectors are another tool that we use. They detect the presence of electro-magnetic fields. Some EMF’s can be easily explained such as unshielded electrical wires. Others not so much. Theory is, spirits draw energy from the surrounding area or produce energy that is then picked by the EMF detectors.

We also use non-contact thermometers to capture sudden, unexplained temperature fluctuations. Theory is when spirits draw energy from the surrounding air it causes a temperature drop.  Some of these temperature drops can range 30-40 degrees.

And, probably the most important pieces of equipment are our senses. Sight, hearing and smell.  Plus, common sense.

If you should have any questions about the various equipment we use, feel free to ask us!

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

If you don’t have anything to do or are able to listen, BHPI investigators Mark Rowland and SpookySue Parsons will be on 103.1FM Belle Fourche. We will be discussing our investigation of the brothels above the Lucky Nugget Gambling Hall in Deadwood.  Tuesday, June 16th at 2pm

“We have all some experience of a feeling, that comes over us occasionally, of what we are saying and doing having been said and done before, in a remote time - of our having been surrounded, dim ages ago, by the same faces, objects, and circumstances - of our knowing perfectly what will be said next, as if we suddenly remember it! (Dickens in David Copperfield - chapter 39)”

So, what is déjà vu? Several possibilities are out there. One is simply the occasional mismatch made by the brain in its continuous attempt to create whole sensical pictures out of very small pieces of information. When the brain receives a small sensory input of a familiar or similar sight, smell, or sound of a past experience, the entire memory image is brought forward. Our brain has taken that to be the present by virtue of one tiny bit of sensory information. It’s this mismatch of past and present sensory information that causes the sense of disconcertment and unease associated with a passing déjà vu

Another explanation for déjà vu is that there is a slight malfunctioning between the long and short-term memory circuits of the brain. Somehow, specific information ends up going from short to long-term memory storage, bypassing the usual mechanisms used for storage transfer. Details concerning this shortcut are not yet well understood. When this new, recent piece of information is drawn upon, the person thinks that the piece is coming from long-term storage and so must have come from the distant past.

Other explanations for déjà vu have been the manifestation of wish fulfillment. Here, déjà vu is the subconscious repetition of past experiences, but with a positive ending. The realm of paranormal psychology proposes that deja vu is a chance for reincarnates to get a sneak peak into a past life. Most scientists dismiss these “magical” explanations for neurological events, citing that they break the laws of nature. Some, however, point to more recent findings in physics, such as the possibility of particles that can travel backwards in time, time loops and parallel universes. They say that these may give cause for more non-traditional ways of seeing causality and for the possibility of neurological “time travel”. This means that, maybe, just maybe, understanding déjà vu as a means of seeing into the past or future cannot be dismissed.

So, tell me your story.

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

I recently received an email from a reader asking if we investigated claims of reincarnation and suggested it may be a good topic of discussion.  So, here we go.
No, reincarnation is not something we investigate.  It may not even be considered paranormal.

Reincarnation is a doctrine or metaphysical belief that some essential part of our living being survives death to be reborn into a new body. This essential part is often referred to as the spirit or soul.  According to such beliefs, a new personality is developed during each life in the physical world, but some part of the self remains constant throughout the successive lives.

Belief in reincarnation has ancient roots.  It is a central tenet with many of the Indian(India) religions.  Many of the more modern movements/beliefs such as Neopagans, New Agers, followers of Spiritism, and students of esoteric philosophies such as Kabbalah, and Gnostic and Esoteric Christianity believe in reincarnation. 
Reincarnation is rejected by almost all mainstay Christian religions. Several groups which call themselves Christian that do believe in reincarnation include the Christian Community,  Liberal Catholic Church, Unity Church, The Christian Spiritualist Movement, the Rosicrucian Fellowship and Lectorium Rosicrucianum.  Reincarnation is also an intrinsic part of many Native American and Inuit traditions.

There are many people who have investigated reincarnation and come to the conclusion that it is a legitimate phenomenon. Some skeptics have analyzed many of these accounts, and called them anecdotal.  Some suggest that the gist of these arguments can be summarized as “we all know it can’t possibly be real, so therefore it isn’t real”.
The most obvious objection to reincarnation is that there is no evidence of a physical process by which a personality could survive death and travel to another body. Another objection is that most people do not remember previous lives. Possible counter-arguments are that not all people reincarnate, or that most people do not have memorable deaths. The vast majority of cases investigated at the University of Virginia involved people who had met some sort of violent or untimely death.
Some skeptics explain that claims of evidence for reincarnation originate from selective thinking and the psychological phenomena of false memories that often result from one’s own belief system and basic fears, and thus cannot be counted.
So, there you go. Reincarnation in a nutshell. If anyone has a topic or past life they wish to talk about let me know.

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

Actually,  it’s Ectoplasmed by a ghost!  And, contare to movies such as ‘Ghostbusters’, ghosts do not produce slime or ectoplasm.

Ectoplasm is a term coined by French physiologist Charles Richet to denote a substance or spiritual energy. Ectoplasm is said to be associated with the formation of ghosts and hypothesized to be an enabling factor in psychokinesis.  Claims made for ectoplasm are that it is produced by physical mediums when in a trance state.  It is excreted from the orifices on the physical medium’s body and spiritual entities are said to drape this substance over their nonphysical body enabling them to materialize in our physical universe. Most examples of ectoplasm are seen as a mist, fog or smoke-like substance seen on photos.
Although the term is mostly used in the paranormal world, the physical existence of ectoplasm is not accepted by mainstream science.  Some tested samples purported to be ectoplasm have been found to be various nonparanormal substances, including chiffon and flakes of human skin. Other researchers have duplicated, with non-supernatural materials, the photographic effects sometimes said to prove the existence of ectoplasm.

Therefore, a spirit, entity or ghost will not leave any substance or anything else on you other than maybe soiled britches.

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

Most of the hauntings we hear about are those that are thought to be everyday people. We don’t really hear anything about the famous people that have passed away. Do they stick around perhaps for that final performance? Or maybe because a good number of entertainers leave us very abruptly. With the seemingly common overdoses, apparent suicides, and even murder. Now don’t get me wrong, the average Joe hangs around for the same reasons, but a celebrity may have a much harder time crossing over. I believe due to the fact that they have fans that don’t want them to be gone. Making them feel trapped in this realm and unable to cross over until we forget about them. In reading up on the famous dead, there were actually quite a few reports of celebrity haunting. Here are a few I would like to share.

Marilyn Monroe
She was and still is one of the most recognizable faces in the world. Marilyn Monroe was popular while she was alive, but became a legend after her passing. Although she died in her home in Brentwood, California, Marilyn is said to haunt the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where she once resided at the peak of her popularity. Nowadays her spirit has not been seen wandering the halls, or on the deck of the pool near her suite. She reportedly only haunts a full length mirror that once hung in her residence at the hotel. Is Marilyn trying to get attention of passerby’s or perhaps still using the mirror to admire her beauty in the afterlife?

George Reeves
Not a bird or a plane, but a ghost supposedly haunting his former Hollywood home. George Reeves was made famous for his Role as TV’s Superman.  And he was stopped by a speeding bullet. On an early June morning, George was retiring to bed when a single gunshot rang through his Beverly Hills home.  Noted as a suicide, many believe he was murdered. Reports of activity include noises coming from the bedroom where he had died. Often times tenants of the home would find bedding torn off, clothes strewn about, and the odor of gunpowder.  Could George Reeves still be in this home? It is possible that he is hanging around regretting his choice of suicide, or even trying to find justice of the person that could have murdered him?

Harry Houdini
Known for his brilliant magic and escape acts, Houdini will forever have a spot in history. He was well known for his interest in the paranormal, and also his ability to debunk mediums and psychics. Before his death in 1926 he had made a promise to his wife, Bess, that he would contact her through the beyond. After 10 years of holding séances, always on Halloween night, Bess gave up the search for her beloved husband. The home that Houdini had owned in Laurel Canyon, CA supposed is haunted by his spirit. But no one has been able to make contact. Even to this day a group magicians hold séances on Halloween night, trying to get a response from the Great Houdini. Maybe someday they will succeed.

And of course, Western South Dakota has it’s own ‘celebrity’ haunts with Seth Bullock and Hooky Jack.

Susan Parsons- BHPI Investigator

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help, contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

As paranormal researchers this is a question we should be asking ourselves on every investigation we conduct. In fact, I believe it is a question that keeps serious paranormal groups headed in the right direction. The question challenges us to ‘Do it right!’ There are many skeptics out there that pounce on any evidence paranormal groups present as possible evidence of a haunting. Sadly, there are some paranormal groups who continue to feed the skeptic evidence that was not properly collected, studied, and presented. Unfortunately, we have seen evidence that has been faked and manipulated just so the group or organization will be noticed.

With paranormal groups popping up everywhere due to the popularity of TV shows such as Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State, Ghost Adventures, and yes even Most Haunted. There has been an explosion of self-made, self-taught, and alleged experts stepping into the realm of paranormal investigations with no real direction or discipline. Don’t get me wrong, I think there are groups out there that are dedicated and disciplined that are following proper protocols when it comes to conducting paranormal investigations, but for every one of these groups, I am betting there are ten other groups out there with no direction and discipline. What is probably good for us, the groups who are serious about paranormal investigations, is the fact these groups tend to disband after either losing interest or fail due to internal struggles over leadership or ideas. I just hope for our sake, their unprofessionalism does not reflect badly upon those of us who take this field of research seriously.

I think one of the things that hurts paranormal groups out there is the fact there really is no set standard of conduct. I know there are a few groups who try to bring paranormal groups together under standardized rules of conduct and investigative standards. T.A.P.S is one of those groups as well as Prairie Ghosts and a few others. This idea of bringing groups together in this way is positive and will only benefit the field in the long run.

The problem I see is the fact that there is nothing that compels any paranormal investigative group that starts up to adhere to any form of professional standards. There is no governing body that oversees training or certification, or even discipline if a client complains about a group. If a couple friends get together after watching some paranormal shows on TV and think they could do that, go out buy a few items and then go out traipsing around in a cemetery and then advertise themselves as seasoned investigators, does not give me a fuzzy feeling. On the other hand, paranormal groups who have set up strong standards for themselves and enforce those standards with their members as well as mandate some form of training for new members are most likely the only groups who will tend to be successful. And, I think the clients who contact a group with these standards will feel better about their choice as well.

I had always told myself that doing this work was nothing more than having an expensive hobby, but I have come to change my outlook. I was speaking to our lead investigator the other day and he and I had always made comments about this being a hobby, but this thinking is what stymies investigative groups. We can’t make any progress if we continue in this thought process. I believe this was a “ahh haa” moment in our groups development. Our team has always sweated blood over any evidence we captured and reviewed it forwards, backwards, upside down, and inside out. We would go back to where the evidence was captured to find any other reason for the evidence. If we found a rational explanation, we threw out the evidence as explainable. If we could find no explanation other than paranormal, then as a team we deem the evidence to be paranormal in nature.

I know there are some very good paranormal investigative teams out there that are making progress, those are the teams that make amazing discoveries in the paranormal field and some day, will unravel the mystery of the paranormal. However, to make progress, we need to get serious and stop looking at what we do as a hobby, and set up strong standards for ourselves.

Until next time, be safe out there.
Mark Shadley- BHPI Investigator

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

Another theory out there is that running water increases or intensifies paranormal activity.  Even as a paranormal investigator I’m not all that convinced of the connection.

These are the theories:
Water is an electrical conductor - To a certain extent yes, but a very poor conductor.  Paranormal activity is electrical in nature therefore, water conducts it.
Running water produces energy - Running water does have energy and since paranormal activity requires energy it draws it from the water.
Running water produces ‘White Noise’ - White Noise will be a subject to talk about in a later posting.

The truth is nobody knows how water affects paranormal activity.  No studies have been done.  There is no direct correlation currently.  However, this is slowly changing.   The data is finally starting to be collected in some areas.   For example, in the ParaMap database (www.paramap.com), you can run geographical scans of states, plotting haunting reports against their water table zones.   In some cases there are patterns.   This does not mean that the paranormal is affected by water, but it is food for thought.

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com

The term ‘Stone Tape Theory’ came from a 1970’s British TV play called The Stone Tape.  Paranormal investigators began to use the term to describe a theory that the materials found in stone or brick may contain properties suitable for recording images and/or sound.

It is believed that certain rock formations, stones etc are able to retain or ‘tape’ energy from living beings.  Under certain conditions this energy can be replayed, just like a video recording.

Most hauntings come from a tragic event such as a death, accident or time of distress.  It is this event that has managed to imprint or record itself onto the surrounding environment.  This is usually a building but, it is not always the case.

It has been theorized that in order to replay this recording it needs to be triggered by someone or something that sends out the right signal.  The replay can be visual or audible but the recording is not interactive, aware of the ‘trigger’ or present surroundings in any way.  Paranormal investigators often refer to this as a residual or imprinted haunting.

Should Stone Tape Theory be true imagine the possibilities.  Imagine being able to find the signal that can reply scenes of the past.  Think about how much history could be embedded in surviving buildings from pyramids to modern accommodation.  History could be rewritten as new facts emerge from the stone vaults.

We don’t know yet if these recordings suffer the same fate as videotape and degrade over time.  The Stone Tape Theory may help explain some of those ghosts that appear but don’t fit in with their current surroundings or interact with us - unlike their spirit counterparts.

The argument against Stone Tape theory is that it has no scientific basis and therefore it is just a term used by paranormal enthusiasts.  It does seem incredible that the environment can capture and replay full motion, three-dimensional, full color and sound.

Looking at how tape, DVD recordings are made, they follow a fairly set sequence.  When replayed it follows the same sequence as it was recorded.  So, if an event had taken place how could the environment record and store so all that information?   How does the rock formation, building, etc know the right sequence to replay it?  This has to involve some degree of intelligence or programming?

When you start to analyze the recording of such scenes it seems less plausible, especially in some circumstances when most of the original environment has been removed, buried or destroyed.  Yet, the scene still plays as if the original location is still present. 

If  the environment does capture scenes and record them maybe it’s time for scientists to get involved, as the potential for discovery is huge.  So, until definitive proof is discovered to prove Stone Tape theory true or false, I personally find it a good explanation so long as I don’t dwell on the technicalities!

Mark Rowland
Lead Investigator
Black Hills Paranormal Investigations

If you are experiencing any paranormal activity and are in need of help contact us at either help@bhparanormal.com or though our website www.bhparanormal.com