Mike Adams of St. Charles, MOTeam Leaders
Like many people, I have a burning desire to know who we are and why we are here, as human beings. The limitation as I see it, is that, one must pass on to the other side to find these answers. Coming back is a personal experience that cannot be shared. Exceptions to this rule come only in the form of ghosts and earthbound spirits. That is not to say that ghosts or spirits have the answers that the living can take to the bank. Only that, if they exist after death, then is it not possible that we all have a consciousness that exists after the body fails? These are ecumenical questions that everyone must answer for themselves. I got involved in paranormal research to have personal experiences to validate for myself the physical existence of the human soul. I have a high benchmark for proof. For me, personal experience of the paranormal is required.
Sherry Raleigh Adams of St. Charles, MO
I have been interested in paranormal activity since my early childhood. I lived in an old house in central Missouri, that was subject to strong poltergeist activity in the late winter to early spring of each year. Although I lived there until I was past the age of six, I remember only bits and pieces of what happened there. My parents and other relatives have vivid memories of the paranormal occurrences which took place there, but I have, strangely enough, remembered very little. Consequently, I have always felt somewhat cheated. I'm very curious about all paranormal activity and am trying to make up for what I missed in that early period of my childhood, by seriously researching the phenomena.
Melinda H. of St. Peters, MOAssociate Members
My personal interest in the paranormal has been with me ever since I can remember. I have always just been curious as to what really happens to us when we die. Do we go to heaven or hell? Are we reincarnated? Do we stay here on earth as spirts, or do we just evaporate and cease to be? What is a ghost? Why is it here? Why do some people become ghosts and others do not? These are just a few of the questions that I have been trying to answer for myself. I personally have had a few experiences with the unexplained. Every time something strange happens to me, it just gives me more of a reason to explore and try to explain why these things happen.
Eric S. of St. Peters, MO
Well, some people sky dive, others race cars or even deep sea dive. I hunt ghosts. I love the feeling, the rush that comes over you when you're in a room and you know and feel that your NOT ALONE. Objects moving, hearing noises, unexplained pictures, these are the reasons why I joined the Missouri Paranormal Research Society. I must prove or disprove places marked HAUNTED.
Eric K. of St. Peters, MO
This is my reason for doing what I love to do. Well, it all started one night when my wife, two friends (Eric, Melinda), and myself were sitting around eating dinner. We started talking about ghosts and if we believed. I said that I did not. Then we started talking about this place called the McPike Mansion and we decided to go take some photos. Well, at first the photos looked like everyday plain pictures of the house, but then a few more that we had taken, came out a little different. One photo really stood out. There was a man in the window, and we knew the house was empty. This is not why I believe now. There was also an incident at the same house when I was standing by myself and I felt this tug on my pants. At first I thought it was my wife or two friends, but when I looked around there was no one there. So, what I want to do is educate people about the known or tell people why these things happen, or if they happen. There's a reason for everything and I want to know why.
Tracee K. of St. Peters, MO
I have always believed in the supernatural since I was a child. Unexplained things have happened to me, and one unexplained sighting that till this day I won't talk about. The interest has always been with me, but I never acted out on it until "2003". There are many theories about what, or who, a ghost really is, and why they may haunt the place that they may be at. This is what I am trying to achieve. Why do spirts exist or is it just our minds playing tricks?. There will always be the unknown. And not everything can be explained, but I want to know what or why these things are happening.
Shannon George of Columbia, MOI have always been interested in the paranormal, or so it seems. I have had many experiences throughout my life that have led me to search in this direction for possible answers. For a long time I have been interested in psychology, science, and investigation, and this field is a pretty good balance of all three! I am a natural research specialist; that helps feed my desire for exploration as well as intrigue for new discoveries. I moved here from the East coast in 2003 and absolutely LOVE the Midwest! I am also married and have four children.
Brian Baker of Columbia, MO
I've been curious about the paranormal since a child. Relatives on my mothers side told me stories of encounters that could make my hair stand on end. They were all deeply religious and to this day I don't believe any of them would lie about such things. My recently passed grandfather was the source of most of the stories and they are imbedded in my mind today. From the story of an ancesters lumber mill in southern Boone county being haunted, to the time my grandfather was awakened one evening to something pulling on his arm saying "come with me." I want to know if these were simply stories or something more.