We here at Spectral Review as you might imagine enjoy the “reality” based ghost and paranormal shows. These shows include Most Haunted, Ghost Hunters, Paranormal State and Ghost Hunters International. These shows in their own way each try to find answers to questions about the paranormal. One could argue about their methods or motivations but they do try to show how they search for ghosts.

These shows are just representations of real people who do paranormal research. Nearly 100% of these people do this paranormal research for free. That tells us that these researchers are not only dedicated to this research but passionate about it also.

We want to know more about these people. Why do they do this research? How did they start? What expertise do they have?

Our next article in the “People in Paranormal Research” series is from Ann Lemberger. Ann is a member of Fox Valley Spirit Hunters located in Wisconsin. Ann is a new member of FVSH and Katie Kintner, the groups founder has said they are very happy to have her.

We hope you like this series. If you have any suggestions or want to participate in our series, use our contact form. And as always you can leave your comment here.

Onto the questions and Ann’s terrific answers.

How long have you been in paranormal research?

In research, I’ve been in it for about 2 years, but I’ve been interested in the paranormal for decades.

Where are you located, what area of the world do you do investigations? What is the farthest you have traveled to do an investigation?

I’m located in Wisconsin, but I will go anywhere to investigate. I have gone to Colorado to investigate the Stanley, Kentucky for the Waverly, and to California to the Winchester House. I’m currently planning a trip to Edinburgh within the next 2 years.

Was there a particular reason or event that lead you to do this research?

Like I said, I’ve always been interested in the paranormal. However, I moved into a mobile home in which both husband and wife passed away in. My husband and I had some weird things happen, but it picked up each time my children were born. The last straw was after my father died, I began to see red lights floating around and something started to press on my bed, like it was walking up the bed towards my new infant.

Why do you continue to do this work?

My position on the paranormal is really from the psychological side of it. Why do we see what we see, how much is really spirit and how much is our own imagination. I’m also interested in what we don’t know about the human brain and how that affects the research we do.

What would be the most compelling evidence you have seen or heard?

I’ve seen some videos and have some personal experiences which I can’t explain. If I can’t explain them, I consider them to be pretty compelling.

What is your role in your group? Is that where you started? What other roles would you like to learn and do?

Lackey and whipping girl. No, really, I don’t have a role in my group at this point. We are still working on the details on how the group functions. If I had to narrow it down, I would probably be doing the initial interview. I have a background in Alcohol and Drug Counseling and I tend to be able to read people pretty well. I would like to learn to do just about anything. I like to do experiments with the theories that are floating around out there.

Have you taken any formal training in your life that has enhanced your skill set for your paranormal work?

Having a background in Alcohol and Drug Counseling which taught me how to counsel people has really helped. My teachers always said that I was very intuitive and observational. That really helps in doing an investigation and working with the clients.

What advice would you give someone who wanted to get into the paranormal field?

The best advice I could give to someone is for them to really look at themselves and why they are interested in this. Is it for fun, trying to uncover the “truth” or are you in it to help people. Once you have that figured out, then you should find where you fit in, or even if you should do it at all.

Is there some aspect or point of view about the paranormal field that you wished that everyone in the field followed?

You know what, I don’t know if I can answer that about theories. No one is right or wrong, I guess that’s one thing I would like people to remember. This is all still trial and error. However, one of my biggest wishes is that people remember we are dealing with other people. I think the client gets lost in the mix. We as investigators are excited to show up to a place that might be haunted. We wanna get that piece of evidence that will solidify what we’ve been doing, but what about that person that lives with it day in and day out. Even if the place isn’t haunted, I think that we should try our best to help someone in need of it.

What misconceptions do the public and/or media have about the paranormal field you wish you could dispel?

Do you have a few days? I would start with the fact we don’t know everything. The only thing I can be sure about is that they are theories. I don’t go into a place saying it’s black and white, because it’s not.

We all don’t have thermal cameras, cuz we don’t make the big bucks like the ones on TV, and all our techniques differ. You need to find the group that will work best with you and your beliefs.

Ghosts happen day and night. Nighttime is just convenient for us since we all either work or it is less suspicious then when about 5 cars pull up infront of your house in the middle of the day.

We’re not geeks, dweebs, nerds, or freaks. I tutor kids at my sons school and contribute to the bake sales. Heck I even chaperoned for the roller skating trip and skated with the parish priest. LOL We are doctors, nurses, receptionists, police officers, and maybe even your hairstylist…. we are just like everyone else.