Cullan Hudson's Blog, page 19
October 8, 2013
Blue-Caps, Bogeys, Boggarts, Brownies and Buccas
The British Isles are filled with mysterious and mischievous spirits, a lot of them starting with the letter "B". . .Blue-Caps are mine spirits that helped miners, but expected recompense for their efforts. Miners would leave coins in the corner of the mine. As honorable as they were industrious, Blue-Caps would, if overpaid, leave the surplus behind; unfortunately, they could be a bit put out if the remuneration wasn't up to expectaions.
Bogeys are something of a malicious hobgoblin that are fond of causing problems and are also known by the names: Bug-a-boo, Boo, Bogey-Man, etc. In Wales, it is known as a Bug, in Scotland as a Bogle, and in Germany as a Bogglemann.
A type of Bogey is the Boggart, which is never seen. However its presence is known by the poltergeist-like antics it performs: phantom noises, objects thrown, pinching, tugging on clothes or bed linens and otherwise behaving like your annoying little brother.
Brownies are a type of fairy people that feature in the folk legends of England and Scotland. In Wales they are referred to as a Bwca (Bucca) and a pixie or pisgie in Cornwall. These beings are beneficial and become viewed as helpful by the family to which they attach themselves, doing chores and watching over the homestead during the night. Unlike Blue-Caps, Brownies don't expect payment, but appreciate treats that are left for them. Like a family pet, a mistreated Brownie can cause problems. If one is fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of a Brownie, he would not that the creature is about 3 feet tall, brown in color, and wearing well-worn brown clothing.
The Bucca of Cornwall (sometimes referred to as a Bucca-Boo) is a sea spirit living among the fishermen, and like many of these other spirits can be helpful when appreciated or troublesome should recompense fail to appear. To appease these spirits, fisherman will take one fish from their haul and leave it behind on the beach. Other traditions involve tossing a bit of bread over their left shoulder (similar to salt for luck) or pour a bit of beer on the ground.
October 7, 2013
An Englishman's Mummy Haunts Historic School
Jeremy Betham, a law reformer, scientist, and philosopher, was a founding force for University College in London, a place he still calls home long after his death in 1832.Bentham, fascinated with mummification, decreed in his will that his body should be preserved in such a fashion (an "auto-icon" as he termed it) and put on display at the school, obviously to the satisfaction of an undoubtedly powerful ego.
While most of his body remains intact, he head began to decompose at some point and was replaced by a wax one fashioned by French artist Jacques Talrich.
It is said that Bentham's ghost leaves the glass case his body calls home on a nightly basis to explore the school. The tapping of his cane has been reported as echoing down the darkened halls and in other reports he raps upon the glass of his case.
Where Have All The UFOs Gone?
Over at Mysterious Universe Nick Redfern questions where the UFOs have gone and wonders if this hiatus isn't the perfect time to bone up on old cases.I've posed the same question here in the past and I think it all comes down to whether you believe UFO phenomena are real or is it all a cultural construct. There are arguments for both.
Regardless if they are real or imagined, one integral component of sightings is that people must be outside 'looking to the stars,' as they once did in those nascent decades of exploration beyond the surface of our planet.
With an adolescent cynicism, we are all now inside watching our MTV and texting our friends and no one and nothing is going to space anymore. I mean, who can afford it? Whatevs! Since we're not looking up, we're focused inward: the individual has never been of higher priority (he says while snapping a selfie) and UFOs fall by the wayside. They may be there, but who is paying attention?
October 6, 2013
HOW-TO: HISTORICAL RESEARCH
It is very important to learn as much as possible about the history of a location as it is to gather data of a scientific nature. It will be necessary to verify legends, rumors, and commonly held "truths" about a location and the reasons for a possible haunting. Remember, despite common mythology, not everything is on the Internet - some old school research is required to do top quality work.Keep a notebook for your research trips, record where you found the information (name of the library and location) and the general bibliographic information (author, title, publisher, date, and call number - in case you need to re-check it). The notebook can be a simple spiral bound school notebook or a laptop.
Libraries will generally have information related to local history (old newspapers, local history books, etc.). Some libraries now offer, with a library card, access to genealogical databases to search census records, deeds, newspapers (to a limit). This link lists all Oklahoma Public Libraries. Library cards are usually free in the location to area residents since they are funded by tax dollars (property or other tax bases). Visitors from out of town or state may need to pay to access local databases, but use of other materials is usually free to visitors. Special collections (archives) may have limitations as to use or access. In Oklahoma, students and staff of universities can apply (via their school library) for the OKShareCard. This is honored by member libraries at other institutions. It allows limited checkout of books - but often does not allow access to databases.
Courthouses & City or County Clerks offices can provide information related to ownership of land, previous occupations of an area, and other pertinent information. The link lists state courthouses and their addresses.
Local museums can also sometimes provide some information about local legends or history. The lists all museums in Oklahoma. Some are staffed by volunteers and be prepared to leave bags or cases with an attendant, sign papers to use, etc. They may not be sympathetic with a paranormal investigation, but then sometimes the people staffing these places aren't sympathetic to any researcher! So be polite, friendly, and have a plan as to what you want to find out. You might discover they want to help.
ONLINE RESOURCES:Census records (Free - not complete but a help) ; http://www.censusfinder.com/ ;http://www.census-online.com/links/ ; a subscription service Ancestry.com allows access to census films and many other local history resources online ($100 to $300 a year) but many larger libraries offer access to this in their libraries via their computers and with a library card.
County Clerk Public Records-OKhttp://okcountyrecords.com/index.php
Good General Introduction to using Court House Recordshttp://www.arkansasresearch.com/g-cou...
Census Bureau Flyer on Availability of Census Records for an Individual / US Privacy Act,etc.http://www.census.gov/prod/2/gen/cff/...
Historic Newspapers - Again many libraries offer access via a library card so check out your local options. If not online, there is no doubt a state library that has microfilm copies for select cities or locations. It can be time consuming, your eyes can get bleery but it can also pay off big time.
Remember:
Expect misspelled names, hard to read writing, and changes in street names and housing developments.
Expect history books to cover only the well-known, wealthy, or notorious people or events of any community.
Think of alternative ways of learning information. If a book on the town makes no mention of the haunted house....look at biographies of local people....or family genealogies, etc. Somebody may mention legends or places in passing.
Think how you, as a researcher interested in historic places, stories, or paranormal investigations, might "give back" to the community. Know small forgotten cemetery? Clean it up, index it and upload the data to something like www.findagrave.com so distant relatives and other historic researchers can have easy access to the information. Repair walls, gates, landscaping and similar issues. You may be amazed at how it can open up new stories and resources to provide more questions to answer and fun research to do.
--MH Research, 2007
Del Toro's Take On Simpson's Intro Filled With Horror
Guillermo del Toro directs the latest opening sequence toThe Simpson's annual Treehouse of Horror and it is chock full of horror film references, many of which are del Toro's. You can see an annotated version of the intro at io9.com to test how well you did at naming them.
October 5, 2013
New Film Looks To Reboot Werewolf Genre
From the Producer of Insidious and Paranormal Activity comes a new werewolf film shot in the by now groan-inducing Reality TV style where every moment is inexplicably caught on camera. It used to be known as "found footage", but the conceit of finding this mysterious video tape or film reel has fallen by the wayside with the emergence of reality TV's 24/7 documentation of everything. “Following the brutal slaying of an American family vacationing in rural France, a peculiar man living near the crime scene is blindly charged with their murders. Believing her client is innocent, expatriate American defense attorney Kate Moore and her team decide to take a scientific approach in order to prove his physical incapability to local authorities. As she delves into his enigmatic family history, she uncovers evidence that suggests the rebirth of an unexpected legend. When a bloodbath ensues, Kate must do whatever she can to survive the surrounding terror and prevent the chaos from spreading.”
October 4, 2013
Dark Recesses Zine Launches With Mound Article
The inaugural issue of Dark Recesses E-Zine is a one-page write up (a bit of self promotion, really) about The Mound
and a hint at where we pick up the story next. www.darkrecessesezine.com
Care For A Dip?
“I cannot think of the deep sea without shuddering at the nameless things that may at this very moment be crawling and floundering on its slimy bed, worshiping their ancient stone idols and carving their own detestable likenesses on submarine obelisks of water-soaked granite. I dream of a day when they may rise above the billows to drag down in their reeking talons the remnants of puny, war-exhausted mankind—of a day when the land shall sink, and the dark ocean floor shall ascend amidst universal pandemonium.” ― H.P. Lovecraft 'Dagon'
