In The Beginning….

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." --- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

 Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Michael Ragsdale. I am 65 years of age and the Founder of Jackson Purchase Paranormal Investigations, based out of Paducah, KY.

Although I can’t honestly say I have been fascinated by the paranormal my entire life, I must confess that pretty much every job I’ve had since I was 20 years of age has had an association with, or at least the prospect of, DEATH. This lifelong association started after graduation from the US Army Medical Training Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in 1970, when I became a combat medic with the US Army and later the US Army Reserve and the Kentucky Army National Guard.

After release from active duty, my first civilian job was as an emergency room technician at one of the local hospitals. This lasted for the better part of six months until I was introduced to the world of emergency medical services (EMS). I had gotten to be friends with the ambulance service personnel (there were no EMT’s anywhere in Kentucky at this point in time) and I was soon offered a job working with them …. an offer which I accepted quite enthusiastically.

As time progressed and the talk got serious about Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), it was a given that I would become one and, in fact, I became the 115th licensed EMT-A in the Commonwealth of Kentucky (and, I might add, the 2,292nd Registered EMT in the United States as a whole).

Sometime in the early 70’s I moved about an hour away to Murray, KY, where I helped open a new, professional, ambulance service in that community (up until then, ambulance service to the Murray, KY, area had been provided by funeral homes). Along with this change, I migrated into other fields of emergency services, becoming a Firefighter/Engineer with the Calloway County Fire & Rescue Squad.

After a couple of years in Murray, KY, I decided that the time was right to consider a move back to Paducah, but not before I consulted with the Marshall County, Kentucky, fiscal court about opening a professional ambulance services in their area (again, ambulance services were being provided by the funeral homes up until this time).

After I had worked with the Fiscal Court to successfully open the ambulance service, I then relocated back to Paducah where I once again took a position with Angel of Mercy. I also became a police officer with the McCracken County Auxiliary Police (and later the Paducah Police Department).

I truly loved being a police officer. I had grown up in Madisonville, KY, being around police officers. My great uncle Herbert “Guy” Jones was a Madisonville Police Officer, and his son, Herbert “Sonny” Jones, was a Kentucky State Trooper. Also, my grandfather, Edgar Frank Watson, who died long before I was born, was also in law enforcement in the Madisonville, Hopkins County, KY area (he worked for the Hopkins County Sherriff’s Department) , so I guess you can say it was in my blood.

Without going into the specifics let me say that the politics of small town government in the 1970’s were a bitch …. and said bitch will reach out and bite you in the ass when you least expect it so, after over three years in law enforcement, I found myself out of a job through no fault of my own..

After finding myself in need of a job (at this point in time paramedics still seemed like a distant dream) and having no real interest in returning to the ambulance service as a basic EMT, I turned to one of our local hospitals looking for a job and I was offered a job in Respiratory Therapy (actually called Inhalation Therapy at the time) and I have basically been doing that for a living ever since.

Although I would have preferred to have remained a police officer for the rest of my days, I can honestly say that things have worked out like they have in my life because I DIDN’T remain in law enforcement, so this, regardless of the hurt that resulted, has, in fact, been a very good thing.

When I was twenty-six years old, my father, and my hero, Herbert Bernard Ragsdale, passed away (even though he had been hospitalized for over a month, his death was still unexpected and a tremendous shock to the entire family.

Although I had already seen death and the sorrow that results from it in a multitude of forms in my chosen career paths, nothing prepared me for the sorrow that accompanied the loss of my father. Even though I had already experienced the loss of a grandparent and even close friends, the loss of my Father caused a pain which was like nothing I had felt before, but the worst part of it all was THE DREAMS (perhaps nightmares might be a better description)!

It seemed like every night while I slept I would dream about my father and, invariably, things would be fine in the dreams. He would be alive and well and it would be like things used to be, but then the next morning I would awaken and be assaulted with the heartbreaking realization that he was still gone and that it had all been only a dream.

These dreams went on night-after-night for what seemed like months until finally things changed. I remember being in bed and I am pretty sure I was sound asleep. Suddenly, something awakened me and there, standing at the foot of the bed, was my father. I remember this quite vividly and I remember him telling me that “everything is going to be fine” and that he was “OK.”

For what it’s worth, the dreams stopped that night and, for the most part, have never returned. Although it can be argued that this experience was, in fact, simply another dream, I personally like to think it was truly my father who, after realizing how much I was suffering night after night with these dreams, chose to return to this plane of existence and do something about it.

There’s hardly a day that goes by that I don’t think about my Dad, and more times than not I actually talk to him, either thanking him for something that he taught me when I was younger that I have found useful as an adult or simply just letting him know that I miss him.

Fast forward thirty-some-odd years!!! Staying busy with my career while at the same time raising a family, the spirit world was the least of my concerns for quite a number of years. This was to change after hearing one simple little word, uttered two times. Nothing more than a simple greeting, as it were, a greeting uttered by someone not of this world (at least as we understand it). A greeting that would change not only how I have come to personally view the afterlife but which put me on the path to where I am today, trying to find answers and solutions for total strangers who are bothered by what they feel is the paranormal.

To better explain the importance of that simple greeting, I will be focusing on January 8th, 2008 but first I need to regress to March 3rd of the previous year. That’s when my mother died after a particularly nasty illness.

Although we had not talked specifically about her belief in the afterlife, I knew the basics of her feelings from talking about things that had transpired when other loved ones had died. For example, when my Great Uncle Guy was on his death bed in August of 1979 he talked with/about my father (who died in 1977). They were simply going to go fishing.

In 1981 her brother was dying at Walter Reed Medical Center and my mother was there at his bedside with his family when he departed this life. One thing that struck me was that, as my Uncle lay dying, he began to talk with/about relatives that had preceded him in death, namely, my father and my Great Uncle Guy (as mentioned above).

What I took from her relating this to me was that she believed deeply that previously departed loved ones were coming to take a loved one home … and that’s the way it should be!

Sadly, when both my Father and Mother passed on, neither of them was able to talk about any loved ones coming for them as they were both attached to mechanical ventilators, but I would like to think that family was there for both of them when it came  their time to cross over.

Now, back to January of 2008 (ten months after my Mother had passed away) when that one little word spoken twice would set things in motion that have brought us to where we are today.

Our Beginning….

As Related By Matthew Ragsdale, Lead Investigator

“Jackson Purchase Paranormal Investigations was founded in early 2008 by my Father, Michael. Over the summer and fall of 2007, we had developed an interest in watching Ghost Hunters, and watching soon became a weekly occurrence. It was fascinating to me, as I have always believed in ghosts and some sort of an afterlife - even if I didn't know what it was.”

“In December of 2007, Santa brought me a digital recorder and a K-II for Christmas. I was ridiculously excited and I could not wait to try them, and that night I did my first EVP session. I had no idea what I was doing, only that I wanted to talk to ghosts like I saw on TV - needless to say, I got nothing.”

“Just a few short weeks later, in January of 2008, my Mother and I were watching my newborn nephew. Asleep in the floor, he had no idea that he was the star of the show that night. As the evening progressed, my Mother began to hear noises coming from the kitchen, pots clanging lightly, a spoon in the sink moving, a footstep. So, I grabbed my recorder and headed off into what would take me on a 6 year long (and going!) expedition into the unknown.”

“That night we received our first EVP, and I'll stand by it to this day, one of our best ever. As I say, "You can leave a message by talking into the red light." I am followed by a clear-as-day ‘Hello....hello?’

I was stunned as I listed to that in review for the first time. It was one thing to see it on TV, but another thing entirely to get one! Shaken as if I had actually seen a ghost, I walked out of my room and looked around to my family – ‘We got something...’ I said, as I was still reeling from the surprise of it all. ‘We got something.’ ”
                                                                                                                                                                           
Needless to say, the thrill that encompassed my being was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. We had actually recorded the voice of what we took to be a spirit seemingly attempting to communicate with us. The word excited just doesn’t accurately describe things.

As for “The Mom”, it was an entirely different story. She listened intently to the recorder and then with a look of pale disbelief, proceeded to slide down the wall she was leaning against, assuming a sitting position on the kitchen floor. The word “stunned” just somehow doesn’t quite describe how she felt (and acted).

As to whose voice we recorded, it is pretty well accepted by all the family that this was the voice of my Mother, who, as you might recall, had passed away just ten months previous to this night. I feel strongly that she was at our house that night checking out her new great-grandson, Grayson. The rest, as has been said in so many, many circumstances, is history …. in this case, the history of JPPI.

So long 2014 ..... Hello 2015!

It's been a busy year for Jackson Purchase Paranormal Investigations, although not as busy as we would have liked it to have been. In 2013 we performed 13 investigations and in 2014 we have performed 15 (I had been hoping to reach 20 investigations ... maybe this year).

I had a friend make the comment today that perhaps the "paranormal fad" as it were was starting to settle down. Speaking for myself, I have been amazed at the number of paranormal groups that are here today and gone tomorrow. I guess there's a certain percentage of groups that are in it (paranormal investigating) for nothing more than the "thrill of the ride" with no intention of actually trying to help those affected along the way.

If that's the case I say GOOD RIDDANCE.

What we (the field) need are less teams and teams that are more focused on the data collection and scientific analysis of the findings. Unless you are among the teams that actually only "investigate" the "pay-to-play" locations ... and there appears to be large number of teams such as this, you must remember one thing. You are dealing with someone's emotional health and well being. Haphazardly throwing around the label "haunted" does no one any good, especially the clients.

A look back at 2015

2015 found the JPPI teams investigating private residences in Sesser, IL (January 18th), Hermitage, TN (January 25th), Paducah, KY (February 22nd and March 1st), Sikeson, MO (March 15th), Boaz, KY (April 12th), Pryorsburg, KY (April 18th), Paducah, KY (April 25th), Eldorado, IL (May 2nd),  Paducah, KY (June 6th), Metropolis, IL (June 13th), Benton, KY (June 14th), Brookport, IL (October 4) and Paducah, KY (November 22).
 
We also participated in one "pay-to-play" event, that being Octagon Hall in Franklin, KY, on March 28th. Octagon Hall is almost like a pilgrimage for our team. The place is authentic in every detail and paranormally very active. We have every intention of going again sometime this year.

We also paid a visit (unofficially as it were) to the Bell Witch Cave in Adams (Northwestern), TN, where Sue Ellen captured this anomalous mist appearing out of nowhere. Is this the Witch???? Who knows, but at the time we were some 500 feet into the cave and the inside temp was in the 60's which sort rules out any temperature / climate causes..

All in all a good year ... we're just looking for more clients to help along the way as we move into 2015!

Happy New Year!!

What's In A Name?

What's In A Name ?

 

Jackson Purchase

The Jackson Purchase is a region in the state of Kentucky bounded by the Mississippi River to the west, the Ohio River to the north, and Tennessee River to the east. Although technically part of Kentucky at its statehood in 1792, the land did not come under definitive U.S. control until 1818, when Andrew Jackson and Isaac Shelby purchased it from the Chickasaw Indians. Kentuckians generally call this region the Purchase. This purchase also included all of Tennessee west of the Tennessee River. In modern usage the term Jackson Purchase refers only to the Kentucky portion of the acquisition. The Tennessee region directly to the south is typically called West Tennessee.

Our original intent was to cover the eight counties that comprise the Jackson Purchase of Kentucky but we have since expanded our coverage area to Southern Illinois, Southeastern Missouri, Northwestern Tennessee, and pretty much the western half of Kentucky.

 

Paranormal

The word “paranormal” has been in the English language since at least 1920. It consists of two parts: para and normal. In most definitions of the word paranormal, it is described as anything that is beyond or contrary to what is deemed scientifically possible. The definition implies that the scientific explanation of the world around us is the 'normal' part of the word and 'para' makes up the above, beyond, beside, contrary, or against part of the meaning.

Thousands of stories relating to paranormal phenomena are found in popular culture, folklore, and the recollections of individual subjects. In contrast, the scientific community, as referenced in statements made by organizations such as the United States National Science Foundation, maintains that scientific evidence does not support a variety of beliefs that have been characterized as paranormal.

According to a survey conducted in October 2008 by the Associated Press and Ipsos, 34 percent of Americans say they believe in the existence of ghosts. Moreover, a Gallup poll conducted on June 6–8, 2005 showed that one-third (32%) of Americans believe that ghosts exist, with belief declining with age. Having surveyed three countries (the United States, Canada, and Great Britain), the poll also mentioned that more people believe in haunted houses than any of the other paranormal items tested, with 37% of Americans, 28% of Canadians, and 40% of Britons believing.

 

Investigations

The act or process of investigating; a careful search or examination in order to discover facts, etc. We are investigators ... we are NOT ghost hunters. We are not hunting anything or anybody. We are simply investigating the situation or circumstances presented  to us in order to come up with a logical and believable explanation, which sometimes is paranormal in nature.

As a group, we also prefer the word "spirit" as opposed to "ghost" as it is the "spirit" of the deceased individuals who have contacted us.

Saying Goodbye to 2013

2013 has been a banner year for the team at Jackson Purchase Paranormal Investigations. Investigations completed were as follows:

• Private Residential Investigation, Camden, TN, January 25, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Southeast Missouri, February 2, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Paducah, KY, March 23, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Hickory, KY, July 12, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Fancy Farm, KY, July 20, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Almo, KY, August 17, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Murray, Ky, August 30, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Paducah, KY, September 14, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Caneyville, KY, October 12, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Kuttawa, KY, October 17, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Almo, KY, October 26, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Gilbertsville, KY, November 2, 2013
• Private Residential Investigation, Goodlettsville, TN, November 9, 2013

We also added four new team members: Shannon, Tara, Miranda and Jason. We look for great things from the entire team as we get ready to head into 2014 and to our first investigation of the year, scheduled for January 4th in Sesser, IL.

 

No one was injured on any investigation, no one took "anything" home with them, the clients ALL seemed appreciative of what we did for them and, most importantly, we helped them understand what, if anything, was going on in their residence/surroundings, and we gave them the ability to take control of their surroundings, if necessary, and to coexist with the spirit world.

 

We didn't try much of anything new and exciting in the technology arena ... sometimes the tried and true are best: digital voice recorders, night vision cameras, SB7 spirit boxes, and the human mind with its' innate desire to always want to know the who, what, when, where and why, especially as it pertains to paranormal investigations.

 

Hopefully somewhere along the way we actually helped some of the spirits we came in contact with. We will probably never know for sure, but I would like to think we did and, I would like to think we made some friends in the spirit world as we went about our way.

 

In closing, I would like to wish a Happy New Year to all our clients and followers and, most especially, to the members of the team, for without you there would be no Jackson Purchase Paranormal Investigations.

The Singapore Theory

Just what is "The Singapore Theory?"

Most of the time, it's referred to as the "Theory of Familiarization" or Era Cues. Quite simply, the method involves trying to recreate the environment, or a part of the environment, of a specific era during an investigation in an attempt to stimulate paranormal activity.

The theory, in part, is based on familiarization, believing that if spirits occupying the location recognize the environment or something positive within it, they will become active and possibly show themselves in some form. The ultimate goal is for this theory to be so effective and stimulating that the end result is an apparition.

The method is usually put into action by playing music of different eras, or one exact era if you're focusing more on an individual situation (music has been more the focus of JPPI investigations using the Signpore Theory), while other approaches might be to recreate the environment visually or to dress the investigators in "period" clothing (a good example is havng the investigators dress in medical attire, e.g., scrubs and lab coats, when investigating an abandoned hospital or clinic).

In March of 2012 we investigated the famous Octagon Hall. We surmised that, since the building dates back to before the War Between The States and soldiers were indeed cared for and quite possibly died here, that the playing of the tune Dixie might be an ideal Era Cue - or application of the Singapore Theory - that could elicit a response.

Spirit Box - Octagon Hall Hospital Room - 3/30/2012 - Playing "Dixie"

 In review of the SB7 recording, you will hear the investigator ask "Was this song worth dying for?" This is followed by what is possibly three distinct responses, most notably the "YES" near the end of the recording.

Although not always practical, or even possible, the team at Jackson Purchase Paranormal Investigations tries to use some type of application of the Singapore Theory as often as we can in our investigations.

Pareidolia

Pareidolia (/pærɨˈdoʊliə/ parr-i-DOH-lee-ə) is a psychological phenomenon involving a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) being perceived as significant, a form of apophenia. Common examples include seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon or the Moon rabbit, and hearing hidden messages on records when played in reverse.

The word comes from the Greek words para (παρά, "beside, alongside, instead") in this context meaning something faulty, wrong, instead of; and the noun eidōlon (εἴδωλον "image, form, shape") the diminutive of eidos. Pareidolia is a type of apophenia, seeing patterns in random data.

Carl Sagan hypothesized that as a survival technique, human beings are "hard-wired" from birth to identify the human face. This allows people to use only minimal details to recognize faces from a distance and in poor visibility but can also lead them to interpret random images or patterns of light and shade as being faces. The evolutionary advantages of being able to discern friend from foe with split-second accuracy are numerous; prehistoric (and even modern) men and women who accidentally identify an enemy as a friend could face deadly consequences for this mistake. This is only one among many evolutionary pressures responsible for the development of the facial recognition capability of modern humans.

In the attached figure, a fellow investigator sees a woman holding a baby in the bottom window. Pareidolia or a real apparition?

July 4th Apparition ????

Hi there one and all! This is my first attempt at "blogging" so please be understanding as I stumble through the blogosphere.

I am the founder of Jackson Purchase Paranormal Investigations, located in Paducah, KY, and covering Western Kentucky, Southern Illinois, Northwestern Tennessee and Southeastern Missouri. We have been a team since early 2008 and this year has been a very busy year for us.

To elicit discussion on everyone's part, I will be posting findings from different investigations we have participated in, hoping to generate discussion and positive feedback.

The first picture was taken on July 4th, 2013. We were at my in-law's house letting the kids and grandkids light fireworks and I, as a good grandfather, was dutifully clicking away with my tripod mounted Pentax DSLR.

I took over twenty-five photos that night with this one being the only one that demonstrated anything "strange" (for lack of a better word). Note: We made positive no one was standing near the fountains when they went off, so it is highly improbable that this is someone standing nearby.

If you will notice the photo, there is a translucent figure standing to the left of the fountain. I personally can offer no reasonable explanation other than it is, in fact, the apparition of a spirit (I tend to dislike the word "ghost" preferring to use "spirit" instead).

It is worthy of noting, in my opinion, that 6 months prior to this we lost the Matriarch in my wife's side of the family (my mother-in-law). Is this her? There's absolutely no way to tell. Is this a spirit? I strongly believe it is.

Now it's your turn. What do you think?

Thanks for tuning in and hope to see you back here soon!!