Ghosts in History: Real or Fake?

It’s challenging to test the legitimacy of historical documentation when it comes to the paranormal, but what we can do is visit some of the most popular stories and discuss them for ourselves. From the earliest sightings to the more realistic ones, this blog will be sure to have you enthralled and on the edge of your seat!

First Sightings

According to history.com, one of the first ghost sightings was recorded in the first century A.D. by Pliny the Younger. He claimed in his letters that he saw a ghost of an elderly man with a long beard who wore massive, rattling chains. This ghost haunted his home in Athens and remained there until Pliny died many years later.

Now let’s move on to some of the more popular documented ghost stories, starting within England. In the 16th century, King Henry VIII ordered his second wife, Anne Boleyn, to be executed at the Tower of London on charges of witchcraft and treason. After her death, folks claimed that they could see her ghost not only within the Tower of London but also in other locations such as her childhood home, Hever Castle. 

Any Stories That AREN’T Ancient?

Let’s fast-forward to the late 1800s. We all know about the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, but were you aware that more than just a few people have seen his ghost? The legitimacy of these experiences seems true, which makes this more frightening to think about. Records indicate that after the 16th President’s unfortunate assassination in 1865, his ghost has been seen in various locations. One of Lincoln’s occupations involved being a congressman and lawyer at the old Springfield capitol building in Illinois, which explains his different sightings within the building and the surrounding area. What makes these records have an edge of legitimacy is that First Ladies, Prime Ministers, and Queens have all seen or felt Lincoln’s presence within the White House. During Franklin Roosevelt’s administration in 1932, Lincoln was seen a lot more. It’s said that his ghost still wanders the halls of the White House, and his presence feels exactly like a chill shooting up your spine.

Now we’re in the 1900s. This is still considered to be history, right?

This story takes place in England once again, in an area known as Raynham Hall. This photograph, produced in 1936 in Norfolk, is known as one of the most famous pictures in the entire world. Some photographers believe the apparition caught on camera is due to double exposure in the lens but like to think otherwise. This supposed apparition is seen lingering on the stairs in the middle of the photograph, floating idle. This one is different because there is actual photo evidence of a ghost, now known as the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall. The Brown Woman is rumoured to be Lady Dorothy Townshend, a manor resident until her unfortunate death in 1726. It’s said that she still wanders the halls of the manor dressed in brown, searching for something, a mystery we may never uncover…

Whether you’re a believer or not, the sight of a floating apparition is one no one dares to invite. Though the credibility of most historical ghost sightings can be debated, it’s interesting to see what spooky stories the past holds. Humans have a troubled history, but is it enough to explain the appearance of ghosts? From King Henry VIII to Lady Dorothy Townshend, history is littered with stories of spirits and their hauntings.

For more examples of bone-chilling documentation, check out these stories from Live Science: https://www.livescience.com/48515-10-haunted-house-ghost-stories.html.

Wraith

Wraith is a ghostly soul that enjoys investigating the truth behind paranormal affairs. There are secrets and discoveries to be made within the pages of history, and Wraith intends to find out the chilling truth. From ancient to current practices of communing with the dead, Wraith will use his quick wit and keen determination to investigate the sincerity of paranormal records.