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Notes From The Director, July 1999
"As to ghosts or spirits they appear totally banished from Canada. This is too matter-of-fact a country for such supernaturals to visit."
Catherine Parr Traill, "The Backwoods of Canada" 1836
"Can there be no ghosts save where the Roman once made his pathway?"
Sir Robert Borden, "Canada in the Commonwealth" 1929
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Why are we here? Why would I and the other numerous people who help me build a web site and a society about ghosts and other haunting related phenomena? After all, isn't Canada kind of devoid of ghosts?
Canada is a far cry from being devoid of ghostly legends and sightings. We don't really advertise them as much as say the English or exploit them for their ghoulish stories as the Americans but they are here. From the native people to the early European explorers and the settlers and even into modern times, Canada has it's fair share of ghosts.
As for why we're here, I can assure you it isn't the money. We are non-profit and any money we do take in goes right back into the society for web servers, equipment or other expenses. We aren't here to try and "catch" a ghost. I always say when people call me a ghost hunter that I'm not and even if I were, taxidermy would be a real problem.
So why? Two easy reasons. In one case, it's to let Canadian's not only know of their claims of paranormal but also a bit of it's history. If you have learned a bit about some local history (perfect example, the Donnelly story from Middlesex township,) then we have at one succeeded in this. In a lot of ways, a good "ghost story" can almost be like a sugar coated history lesson. The other reason is to let those of you who have experienced something you can't explain, you're not alone and you are DEFINITELY not crazy.
Millions of perfectly normal, sane, healthy people have experienced some kind of ghostly phenomena and some of those that haven't are still fascinated by the possibility of ghosts. All of these people come from all rank and file of life and are not necessarily religious.
In a recent online poll on the "X" Chronicles, more than 80% of those questioned believed in ghosts. That's more than (in the same poll,) believed in UFOs. (78%) What's interesting is when I ask people if they believe in ghosts, I usually get one of the following answers...
- "I don't but someone I know experienced this..."
- "No but I'd really like to see one."
- "Yes! I would tell you why but you'd think I was nuts.
- "Yes and here's my story..."
So what does that tell me? It says that MOST people do believe in ghosts and those that don't almost WANT to believe in ghosts. I guess proof of some sort that ghosts exist is proof that we might survive bodily death. I don't want to roll down this avenue as it is an area of discussion that is difficult to argue as one would have to experience complete bodily death to be an expert.
My personal beliefs are inconsequential. I'm here to tell you what I and others have heard, what's been experienced and (if possible,) the history of the place it's happened in.
I will answer this much for you though... do I believe in ghosts?
Yes.
CLICK HERE for the 1998 Director's Notes
CLICK HERE for more about the Director, Matthew Didier
©1997-2003 - GHRS - Ontario 100632991
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