10+ FREE Online History Resources for Paranormal Investigators

Whenever I research the history of a haunted location, or undertake the arduous task of finding any truth behind West Virginia's rich, spooky folklore, I draw upon many, many resources.  I'm lucky to have access to quite a few different avenues. I live close to Charleston, so visiting the state archives is no biggie. I live close to Huntington, where the Cabell County Public Library has an AWESOME local history and genealogy room. My background as a paralegal has given me training in navigating county courthouses for vital statistics and title searches. I have an extensive library of West Virginia history books and magazines. And, most of the time, I can afford to access paid newspaper archive services. 

But during the pandemic, I found myself relying a lot more on internet resources. Even before that, though, before I ever left the house in search of information, I'd find out all I could online. There are an innumerable amount of websites and other online resources that have helped me along the way, but I wanted to quickly share just a few that I find myself using over and over again. All of these services are completely FREE, with several focusing on West Virginia. Still, others are a great resource for any state. By no means is this a complete list, so if you have any suggestions to add, please feel free to comment below, or find me over on Theresa's Haunted History Facebook to share what FREE resources you use! 

1. WV History on View: West Virginia History on View is a service of West Virginia University's WV and Regional History Center. It is a collection of over 54,000 easily searchable historic photos from around West Virginia! 

2. The West Virginia State Archives: If you cannot make it to the physical archives in Charleston, the next best thing is to check out the digital collection. West Virginia was one of the first states to start digitizing vital statistic information, and their database of birth, marriage, and death certificates is easy to navigate and a HUGELY informative resource. Another area of the website I frequent is the database of applications for the National Register of Historic Places---if you're investigating a well-known historic building (or even one that may be part of a historic district), these applications provide a wealth of information that is so, so helpful. Browse around the rest of the site as well. There are lots of articles and pictures online, and if you're doing a deep dive into a particular location or subject, you can get a sense of what is available on that topic in the archives, so when you're ready to make the trip, you'll be prepared!

3. Chronicling America: This service, hosted by the Library of Congress, is a database of historic, pre-1963 newspapers. They obviously don't have each and every newspaper ever printed in the United States, but their collection is impressive. Early newspapers are full of articles about monsters, ghosts, and all sorts of other spooky things, as well as 'normal' articles about people, locations, and stories that could be of relevance to the case you're researching.

4. Sanborn Fire Maps: Also provided by the Library of Congress, this collection of old fire maps is a great resource for finding out what may have been built on a location prior to its current construction. It can be a little time-consuming and frustrating finding the exact area you need sometimes, but when you do, the reward is worth it. But don't just stop with the maps---the Library of Congress site in general gives access to tons of books, films, and other documents that may help you in your research. 

5. Find-a-Grave: Find-a-Grave is a user-submitted collection of cemeteries and the burials within. Not only do users submit who is buried in a particular cemetery, but information on where the cemetery is located, photos of the graves, and sometimes, background documents such as death certificates, personal photographs, and newspaper articles. I can't tell you how many times that missing puzzle piece about a person's death is easily solved by finding them on Find-a-Grave. In addition, links to the subjects deceased family member's burials are included.

6. Family Search: This is a FREE genealogy website. Although it isn't always as 'complete' as some of the paid services, it is a great resource. Genealogy research is an important part of the historical profile of a haunted location. Knowing the familial connections and where exactly a person lived, plus other details from their lives makes for some well-researched EVP questions, but also provides a bigger-picture understanding of the case.

7. tDar: The Digital Archaeological Record is a resource I've just recently started using myself, and am taking the time to get familiar with. While I've found that the actual documents usually aren't available for free, the site will let you know if there have been any archaeological digs/discoveries in the area, which you can then further research through other means.

8. County IAS Portals/County Assessor Pages: Each county in WV does things a little differently, but their IAS portals are generally pretty similar. An important aspect of the historical research on a haunted location is the property search, which back when I started, could ONLY be done by going to the county courthouse and sifting through huge, heavy deed/title books, finding out just who owned the property throughout history, and where the property lines actually were. Most of the time, you still have to do that, but IAS portals make it possible to pull up map cards and other relevant information BEFORE you head to the courthouse, giving you in most cases, a pretty complete look at former ownership (with deed book/page info included) and other architectural details. I've included the link for Kanawha County, WV.

9. Google Maps: I love Google Maps. Whenever we have a new case pop up, I search out the address of the location on Google Maps. Street View gives a pretty darn look at the outside of the property and surrounding area, while Google Earth is a great way to see just how close the property is to creeks, rivers, major roadways, railroads, and other significant things. Take a look at the area in regular map settings as well to get a feel for what the streets in the area are called (could a clue to the history be in the name?), and where places like cemeteries, businesses, and historic properties are located. 

10. Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State: I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you that this blog itself is a great starting point for historical research! I love sharing my research, complete with as many primary source documents that I can viably put directly in a blog post! If you take a look around, you'll see most posts dotted with old newspaper articles, historic photos, transcriptions from old books and magazines, and lots and lots of links for more information. 

11.MapWV: Looking for maps related to West Virginia? This is your one-stop shop! Find out property information, geological information, and even where you can go fishing nearby! 

Finding the Facts Among the Folklore

Library Research at the
Cabell Co. Main Branch

Nothing in the paranormal research realm frustrates me more than the following scenario: You're researching a haunted location with a complete back story as to who the ghost is and what tragedy occurred that sparked the haunting. Sometimes names of those involved are given. Occasionally, the storyteller may even have rough or specific dates of when the events happened. It's a damn good ghost story, complete with an actual location with alleged activity to investigate. 

As a paranormal investigator who specializes in historic research, I'm always excited when a haunted location comes complete with such an elaborate tale that explains why the location is haunted. But, I would be doing my field a huge disservice if I just took those ghost stories at face value and didn't try to verify and uncover my own documentation. That's where the frustration comes in. More often than not, I WILL FIND NOTHING. 

It's one thing to find historical records that dispute the widely accepted ghost stories and debunk the details behind the haunting. It can be disappointing, proving that the stories behind a haunted location that have been told for YEARS may not have any basis in fact---that Mr. Smith, who was said to have murdered his whole family in the barn before taking his own life, ACTUALLY died of rheumatism at the age of 85, and was outlived by all three of his children and wife. In rare instances, it's possible to find historical documentation that disputes the original story, but offers up details of an even stranger series of events that even more accurately fit the details of the reported paranormal activity. Either way, it's something I can work with. I can show tangible proof of historic details and go from there. And just because the back story to a haunting didn't happen the way folklore insists it did, doesn't mean that the location isn't haunted. As paranormal researchers and investigators, we have a lot more to learn about why some locations attract paranormal activity even without a tragic event tied to it. Further, lots of ghost stories and urban legends have at least a small grain of truth buried deep within, and it's always fun and rewarding to find that grain of truth and figure out how it relates to the story as a whole. 

What's frustrating is the finding of NOTHING---no historical documentation to disprove an event happened, and no documentation to prove it did. As I always tell my clients, just because I personally cannot find confirmation, doesn't mean that confirmation doesn't exist or that the story isn't true. And until I do find confirmation that an event took place or a specific person existed as described, that case is open to me. 

With any of my cases that I investigate, or even simply feature here on Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State, nothing is ever closed. As my historical research skills evolve, as my access to research materials increases, and as more resources are in general are being digitized and made available to the public, the more I discover about the many, many haunted places throughout West Virginia and beyond. 

My biggest fear is that with many of these stories, there never will be confirmation (or denial). Historic research can be a bit...muddled. For most of our history, it wasn't required to officially register things such as births and deaths. People signed official documents with their nicknames, not the names given on their birth certificates. Newspapers didn't always get their facts straight, and in some cases, made up stories for readership. Census takers often mis-recorded and misspelled information...and that was if they could even get the accurate information out of the family in the first place. Tombstones become lost or illegible. The digitization of records has opened up a lot of doors in the realm of research, but transcription errors and low-quality or damaged scans are a huge problem and have led to a lot of misinformation.

And unfortunately, some documents have been permanently lost to history. Courthouses burn down, destroying documents. Floods wash away important papers. Newspaper offices go out of business and chuck their archives. Natural and man-made disasters, not to mention just the passage of time, have erased any written documentation of a story, or any proof of the existence of those involved. All that remains is the folklore--the stories passed down orally through the generations. Some of these stories remain largely intact as to the original content, while others grow and change a little with each re-telling and each generation, trying to fill in the gaps and keep the story relevant throughout the years. And as a researcher, it frustrates the hell out of me. I love a good mystery, but I hate the idea of never knowing the truth. Just how accurate ARE those old ghost stories if I can't find any way to prove or disprove them?

It also leaves me conflicted. I want to do my due diligence. I want to bring legitimacy to the field of paranormal research and investigation. That requires finding out the truth, no matter what that truth may be. If I cannot find solid proof for or against, I feel like I've failed. I feel like I've failed my clients, my readers, and myself. More importantly, I feel like I've failed those whose stories are waiting to be told. But what about those stories? What value, if any, can be found in the tales told that cannot be authenticated?

The older I get, the more I appreciate how our West Virginia folklore, in particular our ghost lore IS a part of our history. Ghost stories serve as a reminder that none of us will live forever. They serve as morality tales, reminding us to act a certain way. They serve as a warning---here in Appalachia, it wasn't unheard of for ghost stories to be told as a means of scaring outsiders away from a well-hidden moonshine still, and certainly, throughout history, spooky stories have been told to children to keep them from wandering away and exploring areas where real life dangers abound. Ghost stories are a commentary on the values and beliefs of a group of people, and in some cases, are used to explain that which cannot be explained by normal means. 

Ghost stories also serve simply as a means of entertainment. Before the days of television, many dark nights were spent by the fire, telling and re-telling spooky stories. Most of us still love reading/hearing a good ghost story, or watching a spooky show on television to pass the time. Ghost lore is a part of our collective history, and therefore, despite my dedication to the truth, I strongly believe that our ghost stories and related folklore should be preserved and studied, whether or not they can be verified to be historically accurate. Long-time readers to Theresa's Haunted History might notice that I've always tried to represent both sides. I've always told the popular ghost lore and shared the ghost stories of each haunted location I feature. Then, I share any historical research I've uncovered, whether it backs up the stories or disputes them. I try to do the same for my clients; I will make sure to document the stories that are told, but present historical documentation illustrating my findings. 

This marriage of fact and folklore is the basis for this blog, and as my work as a paranormal investigator. I believe I owe it to this field of study and to my readers/clients to present the facts and documentation. I believe I owe it to our 'ghosts' to tell their stories as truthfully as possible, and ensure they are not forgotten. But, I believe I owe it to our collective history and culture to also document and share the stories that cannot be historically proven, as there is just as much to learn from them as any verifiable source. 

Stay spooky, y'all. 

FREE Online Paranormal Classes (October 2018)

I'm always looking for ways to continue my education in the paranormal investigation and research field.  This month, I'll be attending this set of 4 FREE online classes offered by the Association of Paranormal Study! The first class begins tonight at 9:30 pm and will cover the History of Ghost Lore.  Each class is a stand alone class, so you have to register for each one independently.  From my understanding, if you cannot be present for the live class, it will be recorded for you to watch later at your convenience.  What have you got to lose?  Come sign up and join me on this spooky journey!

Association of Paranormal Study Facebook Page
Link to register through Zoom for Class #1
Association of Paranormal Study Website

What I Would do if I Won the Lottery-Paranormal Edition

Since nobody took home the grand prize in Saturday's Powerball lottery, Wednesday's jackpot total is now at an estimated $1.3 BILLION, more than doubling the previous record!  That means that there are a LOT of people out there right now fantasizing about becoming overnight billionaires...and just what they would spend all that money on!  Even the paranormal community is not immune to this Powerball Fever, and plenty of paranormal investigators, researchers, and enthusiasts are eagerly planning on all the spooky things that can be accomplished with lottery winnings that massive.

Admittedly, I am one of them, lol.

If I won the lottery, I'd obviously take care of first things first. I would make sure that my family was taken care of with new homes, cars, and anything else they needed/wanted, all debts paid off, and substantial trust funds set up for my son and nephew. I'd probably also go back to school and there are several charities that I would like to give generously to.  But then...the fun stuff!

I would equip myself with an arsenal of the latest and greatest technology used in the field of paranormal research and together with my HPIR team, I would do some extensive traveling. There are many awesome pay-to-play haunted locations out there that I would like to investigate privately and under the proper conditions. There are some reputed haunted places, many abroad, that I would be happy with just visiting and experiencing! Ultimately, however, I want to return home...

The main paranormal dream I have is to actually purchase my OWN haunted property. I want something pretty big, such as a hospital, hotel, prison or even a school. I don't want to keep it all to myself, though---I want to create an all-inclusive center for paranormal education and research! I want a location where investigations can occur over a period of time in as a controlled environment as possible. HPIR would obviously be the 'in-house' group, but the facility would be open to other select teams and individuals, with the occasional public investigation event as well.

It would be a place of research, where experiments can take place, again in as a controlled environment as possible and repeated over a period of time. It would be a place where new technologies and new techniques can be explored and tested. It would also be a place of historic and academic research. My personal paranormal and West Virginia history libraries are growing unwieldy. I would love to turn a section of my own haunted facility into an expansive lending library and research center. My collection would serve as the basis for the library, but I'd definitely use a huge chunk of those lottery winnings to expand.

And lastly, my haunted location would serve as an educational facility. I want to host a huge array of speakers and presenters for regular lectures and workshops. I want to offer a variety of classes on anything and everything that would be of interest to a paranormal investigator. Classes could be attended live and in person, or via online.

Anyway, that's a quick breakdown of what I would do if I won this week's unprecedented Powerball lottery jackpot. Hop over to Theresa's Haunted History Facebook and let us know what YOU would do if you won! 

Top Ten Tuesday: What I'm Listening To

Welcome to Top 10 Tuesday: What I'm Listening To!

I like to consume my paranormal information and news in a variety of ways---reading books and articles, perusing Facebook groups and websites, watching documentaries and the occasional television show, discussing and debating with fellow researchers, attending lectures and conferences, and...listening the heck out of some paranormal podcasts and radio shows!

I've recently fallen in love with listening to paranormal podcasts and radio shows. They're a great way to make use of time while driving, cleaning up around the house, or crafting. And, there are so many awesome different shows out there, available to listen to for FREE! In no particular order, here are ten awesome paranormal-themed podcasts or radio shows that I've been listening to recently.

1. Paraversal Universe--This is one of my all-time favorite paranormal radio shows as they air a variety of different paranormal topics and interview a wide array of paranormal researchers. The show airs Friday nights at 8 pm EST on the Paranormal King radio network, and is hosted by Kevin Malek and Jennifer Scelsi, both of the Northern Wisconsin Paranormal Society. You might remember that I got to be a guest on the show earlier in 2015! Archives can be found HERE.

2. Lore--My boyfriend recently introduced me to this relatively new podcast by Aaron Mahnke. These are short little shows exploring hauntings, urban legends, weird historical events, and folklore. Mahnke does an excellent job with his research and the shows are presented very well---they are never boring or dry, but totally entertaining.

3. Real Paranormal Activity Podcast--You can listen to this show directly off the website (just scroll down), or on a variety of different media, including YouTube and iTunes. Lots of reader submissions of scary stories, interviews, and more.

4. Into the Fray--Hosts Shannon Legro, Ryan Sprague and Sam Shearon discuss tons of different paranormal topics and areas of interests. They recently did a show featuring a Bigfoot witness here in West Virginia!

5. Coast to Coast AM--This is one of the few radio shows I listen to live...when I can stay up that late! Since my local station here that carried the show switched formats, I've found the easiest way to tune in is through the awesome app/website TuneIn Radio. No one can ever replace Art, but I do like George Noory and most of the other hosts.  However, I have found myself picking and choosing which episodes to listen to...it seems like more and more don't deal with strictly the paranormal anymore. Rather, topics such as holistic living and things of an almost political nature are coming up more and more.

6. Real Ghost Stories--I prefer to listen/watch this podcast, featuring plenty of real life ghost tales as told by those who experienced them, through their YouTube channel. Hosted by Tony Brueski, there are tons of archived shows waiting to be listened to!

7. The Unexplained--Hosted by Howard Hughes, this UK-based podcast has been one of my longest listened to favorites. You can download or stream off the website to listen to Howard interview guests such as Linda Moulton Howe, Graham Hancock, David Paulides, and many more.

8. The Paranormal Podcast--Jim Harold hosts this widely popular podcast, which you can stream from his website, or download through a variety of channels. Recent shows include 2016 Astrology with Maria DeSimone, Haunted Christmas and Christmas Angels, and Cinema Symbolism.

9. Living Paranormal--You might remember that Carrie and I were on Living Paranormal earlier in 2015! This awesome show is hosted by Jason Olivo and local investigator, Rob Henry, of the Original WV Paranormal. You can listen to the show live (check Facebook for schedule) or stream archived shows from the website.

10. The Squatcher's Lounge Podcast--For all you Squatchers out there, here's the Squatcher's Lounge Podcast's YouTube channel. Awesome eyewitness stories and much more of interest to fans of the hairy men.

Did I miss YOUR favorite paranormal radio show or podcast? Head on over to Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State Facebook page to share your favorites!

FaceBook's Most Famous Ghost Girl

With the start of Halloween season, EVERYONE starts getting in a spooky mood, including local media!  This is the time of year when news stations, periodicals, and radio stations start delighting their audiences with spooky local legends, interviews with local paranormal teams...and of course, the sharing of alleged ghost photographs!

One of those photographs has been making its rounds en force on FaceBook lately, complete with captioning.  It seems that a family had been experiencing some weird things, and the family pets seemed quite interested in something unseen.  When a photo was taken, a little ghostly girl was clearly seen outside.

Pretty spooky, right?  I bet the girlfriend in the photo thought the very same thing!  Fortunately for her, however, she has nothing to fear.  The photo, featuring the world's creepiest little girl in a printed dress, was created using a popular smartphone application.  The app is called Ghost Capture by a company that calls itself by the aptly named, but unfortunate moniker of Ghosts Don't Exist.  What I assume happened was that the boyfriend in the story (granted that what little back story we do have has any basis in fact) wanted to scare his girlfriend, and thus played a little prank on her using the app.  She freaked, shared the photo with friends and family, and the more gullible of the lot took it to the next level until it eventually ended up fooling at least one radio station who is sharing the image.

Ghost Capture App Ghosts

Unfortunately, its not JUST everyday people being fooled.  Obviously the media is being fooled by this and similar images, but the saddest aspect is that people who are self-proclaimed paranormal experts and paranormal investigators are sharing this image around FaceBook thinking its real. Comments from others serve to enforce the idea that this little ghost girl is fooling a LOT of people. 

Now, everyone has a right to believe what they want when it comes to the paranormal field and I'm not one to dispute things that I cannot begin to prove or disprove.  However, this photograph is a known fake using an image clearly taken from a well-known phone application.  Belief is one thing, but we as investigators and researchers of the paranormal must walk a line; its possible to be open-minded and tactful, especially when it comes to dealing with the beliefs of others (especially those who are our Facebook fans, lol), but this can be accomplished without the spread of misinformation and mis-education.  Passing photos such as this off as 'real' only hurts the field as a whole, whether done intentionally or not.

The Original Photo, posted by the awesome people over at Ghost App Ghosts

And, going off on sort of a tangent...there is absolutely no excuse for anyone working in the paranormal field to be tricked by this particular image.  Seriously, this little girl should be earning royalties from beyond the grave; out of all the choices this particular app affords, plus those of copycat apps, she is always the most popular. Chances are, you've seen this same image pop up in numerous "true" ghost photos at least half a dozen times.  Look below for a few examples of our favorite little spook I've culled from a quick Google Search...and please see my article on Photo Analysis for some really easy ways to check a photo's authenticity! 

Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Charles Bonnet

As a paranormal investigator, one of my main goals within this field is to find the truth, no matter what that truth may be.  One "device" that many scientifically based researchers and investigators use in helping determine fact from fiction is the widely quoted Occam's Razor.  While the proper definition of Occam's Razor is worded a little differently, in its most basic form, it basically states that the most simplest of explanations is often the correct one.               

But what happens when the "correct" explanation is more complex than just blaming the phenomena on paranormal activity?

In comes Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), a disorder that for the most part, is still unknown to much of the paranormal community.  However, when you really start to read about this mysterious condition, you can easily see how anyone experiencing it could easily mistake it ghostly, or even demonic, manifestations.

Charles Bonnet Syndrome was first studied in 1760 when the Swiss naturalist, Charles Bonnet, discovered that his 89 year old grandfather, Charles Lullin, was experiencing strange visual hallucinations that only he could see.  The elderly man not only knew very well that the people, animals and carriages he was seeing were all in his head, but he didn't show ANY other signs of mental illness or dementia.  Bonnet classified these experiences, and over the following decades, more and more information became available concerning this disorder.

What is CBS?
As stated, CBS is a disorder in which the patient is plagued with visual hallucinations.  However, it is VERY important to note that these hallucinations have nothing to do with mental illness---they are not psychiatric in nature whatsoever.  Rather, these hallucinations are found in people with failing eyesight.  Macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts are the most common culprits, but in very rare cases, the visual hallucinations can show up in people with little to no sight loss.  The hallucinations are usually only seen during the early stages of an acute loss of vision, and tend occur fairly regularly over a period of 12 to 18 months before disappearing completely.  There is no real hard data whether or not men or women are more susceptible, but research does show that people who live alone and/or who have very little social interaction are more susceptible.  With the fear of a mental illness stigma, many people simply never report these symptoms to their doctor, which skews the research a tad.

Causes of CBS?
No one is hundred percent sure what causes CBS, but the accepted explanation basically states that when the eyes begin to stop sending signals to the brain, the brain tries to fill in the blanks, so to speak, by creating its own images, or visual hallucinations.

The Hallucinations
CBS affects each patient differently, and the hallucinations which have been classified have definitely run the gamut.  However, there do tend to be some shocking consistencies which strengthen the perception that what is being seen is actually a paranormal manifestation.

Hallucinations can be fairly benign.  They can be nothing more than what appears to be bricks or lattice work in the field of vision.  However, they can often be a lot more detailed...and scary.  Just about anything that can be imagined can be visualized.  The hallucinations can include crazy things that never existed in nature, but often are normal, everyday images, such as people and animals.

Hallucinations can be of any size...many times the hallucinations seem to be the "right" size to their environment, but people have also reported people and objects that are shrunken down...or even enlarged.  What's really creepy is that many of these hallucinations actually interact with the objects in real life that can still be barely seen by those with failing eyesight.  For example, an hallucination of a man might actually sit down on a real-life chair.

What's even CREEPIER is simply the hallucinations of people in general.  Disembodied faces of a grotesque appearance can pop up just about anywhere, but more often than not, the patient hallucinates the vision of normal, everyday people...people they have never seen in real life.  These "people" will often smile pleasantly at the "observer," but are described as making (and keeping) eye contact for as long as the hallucination lasts, which can last from a few seconds to a few hours.  The same images can reoccur over the course of the CBS, which takes the perception of a ghost sighting to the perception of a full-blown haunting.

How is CBS Treated?
There isn't a whole lot people suffering from CBS can do, besides ride it out.  There are medications that may decrease disturbing imagery, but they don't always work for everyone.  Others have learned through trial and error that changing up their environment is enough to "break" the vision.  For example, if the hallucinations come on when they are sitting down, they can stand up and break it.  If the light is on, they can turn it off.  Again, it doesn't work for everyone, but luckily its rare that the syndrome lasts beyond 18
 months.

 The website, Damn Interesting, has a wonderful article on Charles Bonnet Syndrome that should be required reading for anyone who researches, studies, or investigates the paranormal, especially those working with clients in the general public.  The article goes into a lot more detail and provides examples of the different types of hallucinations, many of which can easily be mistaken for paranormal activity.

And while CBS is a fairly off-beat and little-discussed issue, I hope it inspires all the investigators out there to really encourage their clients to get a full medical check-up, disclosing ALL symptoms to their doctors without worrying about stigmas.  Its only when we get full disclosure and look at EVERY possible explanation, can we really get to the truth.

I'm Thankful...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  I hope you are not plagued with any "poultrygeists" this holiday season...get it?  Poultrygeists?  Hehehehe....anyway, I thought I'd try something new this year.  There are so many things I am thankful for in my life, especially my family and friends, but I wanted to share some of the things that I'm thankful for concerning the paranormal field!  Since Thanksgiving is on November 22nd this year, here's a list of 22 ghostly things I'm thankful for...in no particular order!  What are YOU thankful for this year? 

One thing I'm NOT thankful for is the lack of a good turkey ghost photo!

1. My extensive library of both paranormal books AND local history...has saved me so much time and money by being able to do a lot of preliminary research at home, on my own schedule.

2. My mom and my boyfriend, Aaron, who I can always count on to watch Luke when I have an investigation or event to attend.

3. Ancestry.com.  Again, a great resource that allows me to do so much preliminary research at home.  It is well worth the subscription price.

4. The opportunity to investigate the Whipple Company Store, a very historic and very haunted location that allows only a few select groups in each year.  The entire group walked away with and awe and reverence for the building, as well as some excellent evidence!

5. The James Casto Local History room at the Cabell County Library.  This is another great resource we have right in our community, and I've literally spent hours upon hours there this year.

6. The research staff at the above-mentioned library, lol.  They're always willing to lend a hand when the microfiche machine goes on the fritz!

7. My team, HPIR!  I honestly could not ask to investigate with a better group of people.  Everyone is dedicated, serious, and willing to work hard at everything we do.  We also have a blast together, and I count each and every member as some of my closest friends.

8. I especially am grateful for HPIR founder, Melissa, who took me on as a member over 6 years ago, and has allowed me to explore and hone my interests in history through my position as Historic Research Manager, and as a tour guide.

9. I'm grateful to everyone who comes out to our tours!  HPIR has established a hugely successful tour business and will continue to develop new and exciting opportunities for the community.  We couldn't have done it without all the support.

10.  Along those same lines, I want to thank our host of volunteers who help us portray characters, act as back guides and/or security, and who let us enter their homes and discuss their history.  I'd like to thank everyone who gives us stories and information, and allows us to come into their locations to investigate, continually giving us new material for our tours.  We love our volunteers!

11. I'm thankful that HPIR has been able to take on an active role in assisting with Team Toni events.  While the circumstances of the organization are tragic, this is an excellent cause to get behind, and I'm proud to support it in anyway I can.

12. I'm thankful to all the other teams out there who have supported us and stood by us.  There are some awesome teams out there, and their dedication and professionalism in this field makes all the not-so-good teams out there seem obsolete.  I'd like to especially make a shout out to Chandal and Nicky of NVSO who are there when we need them!

13. Our clients, each and every one of them.  These people let us into their homes and businesses, and give us a trust that cannot be bought.  We love you all and will always be there when you need us!

14. The opportunity to work for television, despite my fear of actually appearing on camera in person.  It was a wonderful experience, and pushed me to expand my own research techniques in ways that paid off immensely. I learned a lot about how certain types of shows are produced, and while its left me a tad jaded, its not an experience I'd trade in for anything.

15. Even though it sounds cheesy, I'm thankful that we live in an era where people interested in this field can share ideas and information without (a lot) of ridicule, lol.  This field is still a long way away from acceptance as a legitimate science, but there is a general acceptance from the public that cannot be beat.  Even if someone thinks its silly, 9 times out of 10 they've got a story about an experience they can't explain...and if you ask in the right way, they're more than happy to share it with you.

16. I'm thankful for the amount of information available for those interested in this field.  There are wonderful free resources for the Kindle, wonderful FREE documentaries found in many places, and many wonderful books and websites that are accessible to all.  This is one field where you can NEVER stop learning new things, no matter what.  Take advantage of the large network of resources available.

17. The area where I live.  It is filled with plenty of haunted history! 

18. All of my FaceBook page fans.  I love sharing little things that I don't necessarily want to blog about, but its also a great way to keep track of new entries for Theresa's Haunted History.

19. The fact that out of 100s of investigations, we've never really encountered anything that I'd personally classify as really negative or dangerous.

20. The WVGhosts website.  Although its gone pretty stagnant this year, its still one of my number one resources for local ghost-lore.

21. Not having to work at a job I hate from sun-up to sundown anymore!  This year has been excellent to my mental AND physical health, and has allowed me to take a more active role in my paranormal research.  Not to mention, I've had much more time with my son...who is also my future ghost hunter.

22.  Lastly, but certainly not least...I am so thankful to everyone reading this blog right now!  Fans of this blog are the reason why I keep doing what I'm doing, which is trying to provide the most accurate and complete resources for  alleged haunted locations in our area.  I've also tried to really expand the site to attract people from outside the area with book reviews, photo analysis, and articles.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.  This is for you guys!