Poltergeists

Poltergeist disturbances are among the most dramatic and perplexing phenomena discussed in psychical research. This subcategory gathers articles on noisy, disruptive and often object-moving outbreaks, considering their recurrent features, case histories and competing interpretations, from spontaneous psychokinesis to agency attributed to spirits or other causes.

The Lutzes' house in Amityville

Amityville Hoax

Alleged 1970s haunting in Long Island, New York, which became the basis for sensationalist books and films.

Andover, a market town in Hampshire, UK

Andover Poltergeist

Poltergeist disturbances in a household in Andover, southern England, in 1974.

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Baldoon Mystery

Poltergeist disturbances that occurred in 1829 in Ontario, Canada, were the subject of 26 eye-witness reports.

House on Eland Road, Battersea, where disturbances occurred.

Battersea Poltergeist (1928)

Disturbances reported in a small house in Battersea, London, investigated by Harry Price.

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Battersea Poltergeist (1956)

Disturbances experienced in 1956 by a family in Battersea, London, were the subject of media controversy.

Borley Rectory

Borley Rectory

Until its destruction by fire in 1939, Borley Rectory was the focus of persistent reports of haunting phenomena.

The Cideville Poltergeist

Cideville Poltergeist

Mid-nineteenth century French poltergeist case, with testimonies given in court about the phenomena.

English Credulity or the Invisible Ghost (1762). Contemporary drawing by unknown artist.

Cock Lane Ghost

Notorious 1762 haunting episode, in which disturbances in a London house became the cause of heated public controversy.

Contemporary illustration. Source: Mary Evans Picture Library

Angelique Cottin

French girl who was the centre of psychokinetic disturbances that made an international sensation.

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Drummer of Tedworth

Poltergeist case investigated by Joseph Glanvill (1636–1680), one of the first to receive serious scrutiny.

Eleonore Zugun

Eleonore Zugun (Talpa Poltergeist)

Adolescent Romanian girl (1913–1991), the centre of a well-documented 1920s poltergeist-type episode.

enfieldpoltergeist

Enfield Poltergeist

Celebrated 1970s case in a north London suburb, in which poltergeist disturbances were documented over a two-year period.

photo of Matthew Manning

Matthew Manning

British man, the focus of poltergeist activity in his teens, later known for his metal-bending, psychic activities, and healing.

photo of alligator ashtray

Miami Poltergeist

1960s episode in which Florida-themed souvenir items were seen repeatedly falling from warehouse shelves.

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ARG Owen

British mathematics professor and parapsychologist (1919–2003), notable for the landmark ‘Philip’ psychokinesis experiments.

poltergeists

Poltergeists (Overview)

This article provides an introduction to poltergeist research, describing major cases and theoretical perspectives.

photo of Tina Resch Boyer

Psychological Aspects of Poltergeist Cases

Reasons to think that most poltergeist disturbances have living rather than deceased agents.

William Roll 3

William George Roll

American psychologist and parapsychologist (1926–2012) noted for reports of poltergeist phenomena for which living agents were responsible.

old photograph of Main Street, Sauchie

Sauchie Poltergeist

Poltergeist disturbances centering on an 11-year-old girl. in a Scottish village in 1960.

James Herrmann, aged 12, was the focus of the anomalous disturbances at his family's Seaford, Long Island home

Seaford Poltergeist

Poltergeist-type disturbances in 1958 in Seaford, Long Island, New York, centering on a 12-year-old boy.

Spichermatt House, Stans, Switzerland: home of the Joller family

Stans (Switzerland) Poltergeist

Mid-19 century poltergeist case, in which disturbances tormented a Swiss family for weeks.

Tina Resch crop

Tina Resch (Columbus Poltergeist)

Focus of poltergeist-type phenomena at her home in Columbus, Ohio, in 1984,

annalisa ventola

Annalisa Ventola

Annalisa Ventola, executive director of the Parapsychological Association, has carried out research into poltergeists and hauntings.

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Vienna Workshop Poltergeist

A Viennese member of the Society for Psychical Research describes poltergeist distrurbances he witnessed.

Worksop Poltergeist

Worksop Poltergeist

Original report by an SPR investigator of poltergeist-type disturbances in 1883 in Worksop, in the north of England.

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