Last month may have been extra spooky for the Halloween season, but that is not the only time of year for ghosts and paranormal activity. Especially in South Jersey.
South Jersey Ghost Research (SJGR) is a volunteer organization established in 1955 that is based in South Jersey but covers all of the state, as well as Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania and New York City. As its name suggests, a crew of volunteer researchers work year-round to assist local families, businesses and historical sites with properties that may be haunted with ghosts, spirits or apparitions. The services are free and can provide people with answers to unexplainable situations that may be due to paranormal activity.
With their years of research on paranormal tools and practices, as well as case-by-case historical research for the places they work at, the SJGR team can combine a plethora of skills to strengthen their practices, learn more about the spirits and their intentions, and, hopefully, put some people with concerns at ease.
SJGR is considered an investigative and resolution-based group, and they specialize in intense and negative hauntings.
Photos of apparitions captured on cameras used by South Jersey Ghost Research at investigations.
Representatives from SJGR traveled to libraries throughout the state in October as part of its free lecture series. SJGR hosted a lecture at the Free Public Library of Monroe Township on October 7 and at the Margaret E. Heggan Free Public Libary on October 27.
During each event, the representatives shared an informational video with the attendees that provided a thorough background on the group, discussed some of the most haunted places in the region the group has worked with, shared how equipment worked, and provided examples of audio recordings, vidoes and photos.
“Our members come from all walks of life. Many of them have had firsthand experience living with ghosts in their own homes. It’s one of the main reasons we understand exactly what it’s like to live in a haunted house,” the narrator in the video said. “Our goal is to assist anyone who is nervous and afraid about activity in their home, as well as people who are simply curious about who the ghosts are and why they are there. Our assistance is always completely free. SJGR has been a pioneer in investigating historic haunted places, and we were the first to investigate many famous places we never see on TV.”
Members of the group are also very active and respectful in the community. The members often do cleanups at local cemeteries, work with local historical societies, assist with fundraisers, and travel to give these free lectures.
At the Monroe Township lecture, Special Investigations Coordinator Maggie Tumasz and Assistant Director of SJGR Zeb Coffman led the lecture. They each also shared some of their own personal experiences with spirits throughout their lives, which inspired them to help others also experiencing paranomal activity.
After the screening of the in-depth video, the representatives opened the floor to questions or personal experiences. Several people were eager to share their stories. Some were recent experiences, while others dated back to their childhoods.
SJGR is always open to recruiting new members. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a member and researcher, or if you are interested in learning more about or booking SJGR’s services, go to www.sjgr.org.
South Jersey Ghost Research offers free servicecs to people in the region experiencing hauntings or paranormal activity.
