A Spirited Discussion with Ghost Investigator, Linda Zimmermann
Written by Donna Davies
Ghost Investigator Vol 1. Hauntings of the Hudson Valley
Q. You have very impressive credentials. What drew you into ghost investigations? What do you like the most about doing these investigations? What do you like the least?
A. I loved Hans Holzer’s books when I was a kid, and was fascinated by all things paranormal. About 15 years ago I was lecturing about local history (of Rockland County, NY) and people started asking about ghost stories in the area. I thought it would be fun to collect a few stories, and somehow word spread and out of the blue I started getting calls inviting me to investigate people’s homes. They were offers I couldn’t refuse! It was a learning process, but over the years I developed a method of a scientific approach to ghost hunting, coupled with historical research of each location.
What I like most about these investigations is that every one is different and you never know what to expect, and believe me, there have been some big surprises over the years! There’s something of an adrenaline rush on a good investigation and I find that I miss that if I haven’t had a case in a while.
What drives me crazy are the people who don’t rigorously examine their evidence and think that everything is a ghost or a demon. For example, people are always showing me their “ghost photos” of their camera flash reflecting off windows or mirrors, and they often get upset when I explain it’s just a reflection. I also hear a lot of “evidence” of supposed EVPs, and come to find that there were a dozen people in a 2-bedroom house at the time of the investigation, so how can you claim any sound is paranormal? I guess what I’m ranting about is wishing that everyone who has a desire to do this maintains certain levels of standards.
Q. You have obviously researched many haunts over the years. Which is your most memorable? Were you ever afraid and if so, how did you handle it?
A. I have been afraid plenty of times. How can you not be startled when you hear a crashing sound or get touched at murder scenes, morgues, death row in a prison, etc.? I simply decided in the beginning that if I started running from these things I would never get any evidence. I am proud to say that I have never run from anything. Although, I have walked rather quickly on occasion.
There are so many memorable cases, but I think one recently may top the charts. I was at The Columns museum in Milford, PA and as clear as day I kept seeing and hearing (in my head) a woman dressed in old-fashioned clothing with upswept hair. This experience was very personal, I felt she could read me like a book and knew everything about me. At one point I felt that she wanted me to follow her because she wanted me to find proof that she knew who I was. I followed the swishing sound of a long dress into a back room that had several large file cabinets containing thousands of articles and newspaper clippings. I thought, I need ten years to go through these.
Well, as it turned out, in less than ten minutes I found an article with my name in it, describing me as someone who hunts ghosts! I mean, come on, what are the chances? This was one clever entity who knew who I was and was able to prove it! And by the way, I know who she is, too, but that’s another story.
Q. I absolutely loved Hudson Valley Haunts. I read it in one sitting! You are very clear that the Shanley Hotel is very haunted. What is the most haunted location you have ever researched?
A. The Shanley is definitely in the top ten. For sheer size and number I would have to say some of the large asylums or prisons like Rolling Hills Asylum, Rockland State Hospital, and Eastern State Penitentiary. And for the record, I find mental institutions to be the most disturbing of all sites.
Q. What advice would you give future ghost hunters and what would they need to get started?
A. Again, be your own strongest skeptic and carefully examine all your evidence. I know everyone wants to form a ghost hunting group, but I always say the quality of the evidence is inversely proportional to the number of ghost hunters. In other words, the fewer the people the less distractions and noise. And you don’t need to run out and buy thousands of dollars in equipment. The best way to conduct an investigation is to stand still and be quiet, and have at least one recorder running at all times. If you feel the need and have the resources, and you’re sure it’s something you want to keep doing, then you can start adding equipment.
Q. Do you feel that you have gathered enough evidence through your investigations to state that without a doubt you feel that spirits live among us?
A. There’s absolutely no question in my mind that there are spirits, but I always encourage everyone to examine the evidence and make up their own minds. Perhaps I’m biased about my work, but I think that anyone reading my Ghost Investigator books would at least come to the conclusion that something lingers after death.
Haunted Hudson Valley would like to thank Ms. Zimmermann for taking the time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for us haunt enthusiasts. To learn more about Ms. Zimmermann and her work, please visit her Web site at www.ghostinvestigator.com. You can also find her books listed on our Haunted Hudson Valley Bookstore.
Do not reproduce this article in any format without permission from the author.
