sdGH specializes in assisting historical landmark owners investigate paranormal activity at their locations. The team's primary goal is to collect spirit evidence of past occupants, then identify them through historical, genealogical and archaeological research. Below is a sampling of evidence captured during past investigations.
Due to contractual obligations to its literary publisher, sdGH is not currently permitted to post much of its best imagery. Details of sdGH's book of apparitions, Unlocking the Spirits of History®, will come soon.
Thermal imaging and paranormal activity: Compatible?|Join sdGH tech manager, Matthew, and Pat Wheelock of Beyond Investigation Magazine aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA, as they conduct capability tests utilizing the sdGH's FLIR ThermaCAM EX300.Click here for the cold facts from this hot report.
EVP - Electronic Voice Phenomenon|Is it possible for after-life audio evidence to be recorded through electronic equipment such as voice and video tape recorders? Guest writer Todd Bates of Haunted Voices Radio Network provides an overview of EVP, its classification system and potential as evidence.Get an earful here.
Debunking a demon|It eventually happens to every investigation team: The discovery of investigation gold that creates a grand stir among its members. sdGH tech manager, Matthew, takes a second look at an on-board historic ship 'demon' that had the team initially creeped out!The creep-out is here!
All evidence photographs are presented untouched unless where used as insets that may include brightness, and / or color shifts to help emphasize areas of interest.
Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona: Shot in one of two downstairs brothel rooms across from the poker room and bar, this photo possibly shows a distinct and chilling shadowed figure in the mirror. There is no access to the locked interior of this room. One has to photograph through a small viewing port in the door. Other similar photos show no figure.
Click image to enlarge. Whaley House Museum, San Diego, California: This photo was nearly discarded until team member, Jodi, discovered a possible black mass materializing or dematerializing in the doorway of Whaley daughter, Violet's, room. It is thought by lead team members to possibly be Mr. Whaley.
Fox Theater, Fullerton, California: While using divining rods, Maritza sensed there was a man named Sam who had worked there. He was sensed at the theater before. She asked if he would let her take his picture. Beyond the obvious dust particles, look what unusual shapes were captured. Was it Sam?.
Whaley House Museum, San Diego, California: Was Mr. Whaley caught in the upstairs theatre? According to team sensitives, it was thought he was aggravated the night of this investigation and was actively moving from room to room.
Undisclosed location, Phoenix, Arizona: A moving green orb anomaly passes by the kitchen in this very active private residence that experienced varied phenomenon.
A funny thing happened while staying at the Tombstone Bordello Bed and Breakfast. During its last investigation of the Bird Cage Theatre in Tombstone, the team had the good fortune of staying at what was once housed 'Big Nose Kate's' brothel. It is haunted today. While clicking away in the upstairs hallway, investigator Jodi snapped-off a series of photos into a wall mirror that reflected back to the hallway's end.
What was discovered later is very strange.
Photo 1 shows an obstacle or figure just right of Jodi's hand, situated behind the hall's secretary desk. Though mostly unseen, It has enough mass to block the window's light.
Photo 2 is the next image shot in sequence (three seconds later) and shows the anomaly gone. The window's light is not obstructed in any way, a full reflection can be seen on the desk's surface, and the carpet leading from the window is fully highlighted.
Inset photo is an enlargement of the area in question.
It is critical to note that nobody but Jodi was present in the area. This may not be the spookiest image the team has uncovered, but certainly one of the most puzzling.
Undisclosed location, Phoenix, Arizona: A blue anomaly was discovered in a photo from this extremely active home. Was it moving? Was it a partial source or the result of the home's activity? The investigation will not be soon forgotten by the team.
Villa Montezuma Museum, San Diego, California: As associate sdGH team member, author, historian and archaeologist, Rob Wlodarski, utilizes divining rods in an effort to communicate with Villa spirit occupant, Ms. Yeager. Note interesting lighting around rods as taken at different angles, eliminating traditional lens flare..
Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona: One of several anomalous shadows that seemed to follow team photographer, Christina, during an investigation. Taken with a high-end 35mm camera, her equipment was reviewed for a possible cause and no logical one was found. The theater was dark, the only source of light coming from her top mounted flash.
A great photo taken by team investigator and photographer, Christina. Shot in Tombstone's community cemetery, an interesting and most likely natural red mass appeared.
Undisclosed San Diego location: A cool divining rods image. The center of the photo shows hands holding rods that extend toward the left. Note the tip reflections of light look like sparks of energy.
All evidence photographs are presented untouched unless where used as insets that may include brightness, and / or color shifts to help emphasize areas of interest.
Whaley House Museum, San Diego, California: The team feels this face may be of Thomas Whaley, Jr. He died at approximately 18 months old from Scarlet Fever. This photo was shot in the upstairs back bedroom.
Tara House, Los Angeles, California: The camera clicked-off this image by itself while walking up the stairs, so it's been labeled a "self-portrait". sdGH team members often experience electronic equipment performing oddly during investigations,
Star of India Maritime Museum, San Diego, California: Team founder, Maritza, casually took many photos during this investigation. Little did she know what she may have captured until reviewing this image -- a spirit man looking back at her?
Montgomery Hunting Lodge, Malibu, California: These images were shot by associate team member, Rob Wlordarski, and Maritza in the last original room of the house. Among standard dust particles are unusual moving streams. The house was very active that day.
Whaley House Museum, San Diego, California: This picture was taken by Maritza's sister-in-law during an investigation in the Whaley House. Note the interesting spiral mass.
Star of India Maritime Museum, San Diego, California: The team was sitting quietly when they heard disembodied footsteps walking down stairs behind the group. Dawn turned around and snapped a picture, capturing this anomaly. Most "orbs" seen in photos are dust and moisture particles reflected by a camera's flash. Moving, unusually shaped and self-illuminating anomalies demand a closer look, especially if backed up with additional phenomenon.
Lincoln Heights Prison, Lincoln Heights, California: Maritza felt the temperature drop and began shooting pictures. In this one, a white mist is forming on the left side.
Lincoln Heights Prison, Lincoln Heights, California: Maritza was busy shooting pictures while making her way down one of the hallways. This picture possibly captured two men in the window, holding on to its bars.
Below is a small selection of audio phenomena captured during team investigations. Some were experienced in real time, others are EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) and discovered during evidence review.
For a complete rundown on EVP and its classification system by guest writer and expert, Todd Bates of Haunted Voices Radio Network, follow us here.
Historic ship passing visitor "What's the name of this ship?": California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
As the nine month investigation of a large undisclosed historic ship wrapped-up, it became apparent to team sensitives that many spirits encountered were visitors passing through, sometimes not knowing what ship they were aboard. This EVP recording seems confirmed it with a inquisitive traveler asking, "What's the name of this ship?"
This EVP begs the following questions: Is he lost? Why didn't he first move to the ship's hull and locate the name? Is he an earth-bound spirit who doesn't have the universal knowledge to know where he is located? The spiritual unknown can be mind boggling.
Andres Pico Adobe possible blessing: San Feranado Valley, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
Days before investigating historic Andres Pico Adobe in San Fernando Valley, California, sdGH founder's dog, Louie, fell ill. Since the little pooch needed constant observation, it was decided to bring the him along on the investigation.
As the team held a vigil within the adobe, a call-out was made to any preists that might be in visitation as the home is in close proximity to historic San Fernando Mission. While making a light-hearted request to bless little Louie who was resting within the room, an accented voice can be heard as a possible response -- "It is done."
An interesting note: There where three males in attendance and each can be heard and are accounded for in the recording:
Male 1: "Even Louie. If you could bless Louie, that would be great, too."
Male 2: "Louie is the little dog."
Male 3: "Mr. Fierce."
Male 1: "He could use a little blessing."
Anomalous accented male voice: Possibly, "It is done."
Whaley House Museum "Cathy": San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
While filming a special Halloween 2006 on-location segment for the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, a vigil is conducted within the house. As Maritza and the team talks amongst themselves about a one-time servant to the Whaleys, a voice can be heard providing them with the name "Cathy". The team has been unsuccessful in locating a "Cathy" within family records, but is always on the look-out.
Whaley House Museum "dog bark": San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
The Whaley House Museum has it's share of active spirits, some of which were never human. Dolly, a Whaley family dog is well know for wondering the house, brushing up against the legs and licking the feet of unsuspecting visitors. There are several canine spirits within the house, actually. During one of many investigations, the team captures EVP of a possible dog within the house.
Whaley House Museum "no": San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
As the team investigates the Whaley House Museum, sdGH founder, Maritza, calls out to Mrs. Whaley, asking she is present. A distinct "no" is clearly heard. The team is not sure whom to attribute the EVP, but Maritza suspects it may be Whaley daughter, Violet.
Private residence child "no": San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
While conducting a rare private residence investigation, the team senses the presence of a child during a vigil. sdGH founder, Maritza, attempts to interact with the possible presence by offering a toy ball. After an enticing "If you roll it to me, I will roll it back to you", a Class A answer "no" is heard within the dead silence by what appears to be a child's voice.
Historic ship test lab "demon scream": California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
As the team investigates a large undisclosed California ship, Maritza feels the presence of a lower-level energy in its test lab. EVP can be heard, possibly of this creature. According to a retired sailor once stationed on the ship in the early 1970s, a one-time manager of this lab had claimed he practiced the dark arts and on a regular basis, had drawn cryptic symbols on small sheets of paper, placed them on his office desk and conjured a "miniature demon that would do his will". This story was disclosed to the sdGH team well after the investigation, resolving the team's confusion as to why such an energy might be residing in the space.
Historic ship sickbay shuffling sounds and footsteps: California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
There has always been talk of paranormal activity in this enormous undisclosed California ship's sickbay. A digital voice recorder was placed in this secured, locked-down and dead-silent portion of the ship. There were only eight people aboard during the investigation and all were many hundreds of feet away from the area.
Compiled from a 6-hour recording, presented is a sampling of "paper shuffling" and "metal file cabinet opening" (as some interpret) along with heal-to-toe footsteps walking upon the room's industrial grade floor tile. The end of the recording has tech manager, Matthew, retrieving the recorder at the conclusion of the investigation via one of few entrances -- a loud, squeaky, metal, ship-style staircase -- only seconds after the last footsteps can be heard scurrying away.
One-second inserts of silence divide separate portions of the recording.
Whaley House Museum child vocalization "yeah": San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
While conducting an EVP session to ten tour guests in the house's downstairs dining room October 29, 2008, sdGH founder, Maritza, senses the spirit of a small child. She calls out for communication and what appears to be a child's response is heard by everyone in attendance.
The voice can be heard twice: once at the 17 second mark and again at 22 seconds. Though a train passing by the house during the first vocalization, it still can be heard. The second response is clear with no interruption and has been amplified and repeated three times.
Where the voice originated from is quite a mystery. Head docent, Victor, was a witness to this event. Positioned outside the dining room door at the base of the stairs leading to the house's second level, he thought the voice originated from the dining room. Maritza's tour group heard it emanating from the staircase where Victor was sitting.
No young children were present on this very late night tour.
Cemetery "yes": San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
As founder lead sdGH investigator, Maritza, senses a presence in Old Town San Diego's El Campo Santo Cemetery, she asks if his/her remains reside in a specific plot. Listen for a Class A answer: "Yes".
Below is a small selection of audio phenomena captured during team investigations. Some were experienced in real time, others are EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) and discovered during evidence review.
For a complete rundown on EVP and its classification system by guest writer and expert, Todd Bates of Haunted Voices Radio Network, follow us here.
The below two entries have been pulled from sdGH tech manager, Matthew's, written experience at GhostFest Expo 3 on the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. It was an eventful time that can be reviewed in full detail here.
1. Queen Mary historic ship bobby pin throw: Long Beach, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
Warning: Explicit language
The Queen Mary bobby pin throw incident is one of the more robust investigation experiences sdGH tech manager, Matthew, has experienced. During a first and third class pool area women's changing room vigil with regular Queen Mary investigator, Jerry, and Haunted Voices Radio Network special equipment developer, Brian, a simple hair bobby pin was possibly "thrown" with great force into a changing stall occupied by Brian, barely missing him.
As you listen to this unedited clip, an anomalous metallic sound can be heard at the 6 seconds mark. The group then chats about the sound in hushed tones as a security guard checks for unlocked pool entry doors. The team discovers the bobby pin and an attempt to duplicate the sound is made.
One note of interest: There is an explicit EVP word shouted at the 1:38 mark that is detailed in the next audio evidence entry.
2.Queen Mary historic ship 'F-word' expletive": Long Beach, California
[ evp: class a | real time | unknown ]
Warning: Explicit language
As the group explores the source of the startling noise originating from Brian's stall, an EVP of the F-word is shouted close to Matthew's recorder. On first review, it was thought one of the investigators blurted it, with Matthew first being fingered, but it would have been out of character for anyone in the group to use this language during a vigil.
All three recordings were collected and a compilation clip made to compare each captured EVP. One can hear Matthew speaking to Brian as the event occurs, taking both of them out of the equation and the EVP's strength is weaker on Jerry's recording, excluding him as the source.
EVP guru Todd Bates of Haunted Voiced Radio Network analyzed the recording and confirmed it is truly EVP. The word in question was recorded at 87.3 hertz, well below the level of human hearing. The group could not have heard the word being shouted when recorded nor could have recorded the word by their voices.
Cemetery 77-year-old man: San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
sdGH founder and lead investigator, Maritza, asks of a spirit its gender and age at a burial plot in The Campo Santo Cemetery at Historic Old Town, San Diego, California. Along with a raspy chuckle, he responds in a not-so-grandfatherly tone he's 77 years old and offers a long exhale. This may be a Class B EVP, but it's Class A on the creepy scale!
Star of India Maritime Museum disembodied whistle: San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
While investigating the San Diego Maritime Museum, Star of India, tech manager, Matthew, encounters a physically-heard disembodied whistle appearing above his right shoulder and inches from his head as he moves between cabins. The whistle appears in an area where an emotionally distraught sailor committed suicide.
The full recording is heard once followed by repeats of the whistle separated by segments of silence.
Bird Cage Theatre disembodied whistle: Tombstone, Arizona
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
Team members Maritza, Sharon and Matthew experience a disembodied whistle in the backstage portion of Tombstone, Arizona's infamous Bird Cage Theatre. It manifests within four feet of the team where Maritza sensed a tall, slender cowboy standing. The long whistle first crackles as though it made an entrance through a veil or dimensional barrier. It exited in the same fashion. Unfortunately, it did not record as heard by the ear, but its essence can be heard before and slightly after the team reacts. It was an amazing experience for the team.
Star of India Maritime Museum "self-recorded" message: San Diego, CA
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
A true oddity. This EVP was recorded on a digital voice recorder that was non-operational on the San Diego Maritime Museum, The Star of India. What a surprise to find "Hamberg on deck" on a recorder that was not in use. The team is currently attempting to identify Hamberg / Hamburg and his position on the ship.
Cell phone answering system message: San Diego, California
[ evp | real time | unknown ]
"Is your mom home?" Imagine lead investigator Maritza's surprise when she heard this message on her friend's cell phone answering system. There was no caller ID recorded. Was he calling on his own cell phone from the other side? How expensive is his inter-dimensional calling plan?
Illuminated anomaly: Star of India Maritime Museum, San Diego, California Not dust, moisture, nor an insect. After a camera flash occurs, a light anomaly is seen via IR night vision camera speeding down the tween deck of San Diego's maritime museum, The Star of India. A 'bang' against a nearby chain fence barrier was heard during the vigil, directing us to examine this specific sequence during evidence review. The anomaly was not seen during the investigation. Note the investigator's attention is drawn to the fence due to the sudden noise as it passes.
Evidence with multiple phenomena that help confirm a possible paranormal event is especially exciting.
KII Meter hits on The Queen Mary Historic Ship: Long Beach, California Paranormal host, Erika Frost, uses a sdGH KII EMF Meter to assist in spirit communication during a paranormal tour of the The Queen Mary historic ship. Direct responses to questions were experienced during a vigil in the infamous cargo hold, home of much activity. Two vigil members, including one sdGH team member, also experienced audible disembodied male voices during the same vigil. The jury is still out on the usefulness of the KII Meter, but the timing of "direct responses" to regular questioning appears on the surface to be more than a coincidence.
Solid Mass Anomaly: Star of India Maritime Museum, San Diego, California While heading a vigil at the stern on the mid deck portion of the Star of India Maritime Museum, lead investigator and intuitive, Maritza, senses the spirit of young sailor who once worked the Star. She asks him to make his presence known by touching a support pole that stands in front of the team, hoping to record a heat signature.
What is witnessed is curious. At the 34-second mark, a solid mass quickly approaches the pole, crosses over a portion [ possibly 'touching' it ], and pulls back just as fast. Based on its color, it can only be assumed it was very cold.
This anomaly is not a shadow. Due to a thermal camera's principle of operation, shadows are not visually recorded as with traditional cameras -- only temperature masses are. What make this evidence especially intriguing is its occurrence after its specific request. The team attempted to duplicate the anomaly in every way possible.