The West Georgia Paranormal Research Society Interviews

Part One

I've always been interested in the paranormal. There are groups out there who validate that 'bump in the night,' that image you saw move out of the corner of your eye, that voice you heard when no one but you was in the room. The West Georgia Paranormal Research Society is one such group. I call them ghost hunters; but whatever you call them, their work in very interesting. The West Georgia Paranormal Research Society can be found online: here.

Interview with Joey Ward, Founder of West Georgia Paranormal Research Society (WGPRS):

What brought you to being interested enough in the paranormal to form this organization? How many years have you been interested in paranormal investigations?

I've been interested and involved in paranormal research for about 5 years now. I became interested to a large degree after having my own paranormal experiences with a "shadow person" who seems to follow me about at times and has actually been helpful I feel in my attempts to investigate activity. My curiosity led me to the Internet to search for information, and from there it led me to contacting other people who were interested in the paranormal and to websites for paranormal teams and networks. At first, I worked independently, but soon realized that working with others would be far more beneficial.

How many people belong to WGPRS?

We currently have a membership of 9 people, and we occasionally evaluate interested people for potential membership. Generally, a group is the most effective when its size and members remain fairly constant. People learn to work well together over time and work cohesively.

Do you always go as a group to investigate?

Generally we do always go as a group to investigate. Members are encouraged to work with other teams whenever possible to further their own experience...but all investigations sanctioned by WGPRS must be conducted by the group...and not by individuals. Do you have a person in charge of finding possible paranormal activity and what goes into determining whether or not you will investigate a site?

There is generally an accepted procedure by paranormal groups to determine whether or not a site is deemed as potentially haunted. Investigation coordinators for the team will set up an appointment with the owners to interview them about their paranormal experiences at the site. We will also take initial readings of the site and research the property to find out more about its history and past owners/residents. Based on the interview and research findings, we then determine whether or not there seems to be enough evidence to warrant an investigation by WGPRS.

Awhile back, I read on a website to get a cassette recorder, put it on in a room and let it run what are the chances that if I got the recorder and asked questions, that I'd hear something on that tape?

Like all paranormal investigative work, it is all about timing and conditions. If you took a poll of teams and asked them how often an investigation is productively successful...most will tell you that they feel lucky if they have positive results on 2 out of 5 investigations. Investigative teams spend many fruitless nights...only to return to the same site at a later date and have a great deal of measurable activity. These are the very reasons that people will set up tape recorders or video cameras in their home to try and record activity...and end up with nothing. It does not mean that there is nothing there...it just simply means that on that particular night...no activity occurred. As far as asking questions in conjunction with recordings...it does seem at times that this will create a better atmosphere for responses from the spirits. Generally though, you will find that certain people are able to receive better responses to their recordings and questions than others. This might be due to the person's sensitivity to paranormal activity...or even to the fact that the spirit might like a particular investigator more than the others. We have even heard of cases where the spirits in a residence show signs of jealousy toward people living in the home. In all investigations, it is important to remember that you are investigating spiritual activity...and that the activity is manifested by a presence that at one time was a living, breathing person the same as us. Treat them as a human being, with respect and concern...and they will respond to you much more favorably.

How did your first investigation go? Did you find anything?

Our first investigation was carried out at an older home that is now being used as a restaurant and catering business for weddings, etc. We did record some activity during the investigation and all of our team had some personal experiences as well while we were there. We felt that it was a very good investigation as a whole and I'm sure that we will return there at some point in the future. What is the scariest thing that has happened during an investigation?

For me, perhaps the scariest thing that I've experienced was during our investigation at the restaurant that was also our first team investigation. During the early part of our night, we were still working to set up equipment before we turned out all the lights. I was moving into the foyer of the house to set up a video camcorder for the night...and as I was setting up my tripod, I very distinctly heard a woman sigh very loudly in my right ear. It seemed as if the sigh came from no more than six inches from my ear. It was very loud, very clear, and very surprising...to the point that I almost dropped my camcorder. There were no other team members in the room with me at the time...everyone was upstairs and I was downstairs. Later that night, our recording equipment picked up the same sigh at least 2 or 3 more times. At another investigation conducted at a lighthouse in Savannah, Georgia...I very clearly witnessed a male full bodied-apparition appear during our investigations while we were taking digital pictures of the building. It was clear and distinct enough that I was able to write down a very accurate detail of its appearance...right down to height, build, and the color and type of clothing worn. I later discussed this information with the grandchildren of the last lighthouse owner at the site...and was told by them that I did in fact give a very accurate description of their grandfather, who has been dead for around sixty years now.

You do not ever charge for an investigation. I noticed that you have a donation box on the website, what kinds of equipment do you want to buy for the Society and how will that equipment help?

In my opinion, credible research groups don't charge for investigations. We are there as researchers and not as a for-hire group. Our benefit from the investigation is the opportunity to compile additional data for ourselves and the paranormal community as a whole. Whenever the issue of money comes into the picture, it tends to cast a shadow on the reputation and professionalism of a team. Charging for investigations opens the door to the possibility of scams, hoaxes, and outright theft in my opinion...since we also must acknowledge that we cannot guarantee to the client beyond a shadow of a doubt...that we have proven anything to them or removed the problem for them. We do ask for donations on the site...to help us pay for our web hosting costs, travel expenses, lodging, equipment and supplies...right down to things like batteries, tapes, and cables. Everything is an out-of-pocket expense for us, and any donations that we receive go a long way towards helping us offset those costs. In terms of equipment, we are building on a camera surveillance system at the present. Good systems are not cheap to buy and build... so we work as best as we can with our available options. There are also several other "high cost" items on the market that most paranormal groups simply can't afford to purchase at this time...like thermal imaging cameras and HDD Camcorders. We do hope that at some point, through donations or otherwise, that we might be able to purchase this equipment.

I know that a publisher is interested in two paranormal books from you, are they written yet? What will be the main subject of the books, are you writing how-to books on investigations or will they be about specific experiences you have had?

I am now under contract with Schiffer Publishing to write two books on the paranormal. These books will be non-fiction books about regional ghost stories, urban legends, and historically documented haunted sites within two areas of Georgia...one around Columbus, Georgia and one around Macon, Georgia. After that, I do have plans to write a "utility" type book for paranormal investigators...basically a how-to book with information on equipment needs, investigation techniques, best ways to secure and coordinate investigation sites, etc.

When do you project the books will be available to the public?

Both books are in-progress at this point...with the first hopefully completed and available for sale by Christmas of 2007.

TO BE CONTINUED