Return to BC Penitentiary Cemetery & Mr. Thompson... (Convict Interred at Boot Hill)

Hello Friends!

The B.C. Penitentiary cemetery, known as Boot Hill by the inmates of the institution, came into existence in 1913 yet may have been used as early as 1912. The last unclaimed body of a convict from the "Pen" was interred in 1968. It's situated across the Glenbrook Ravine and up the hill, across from where the old prison once stood.
For more information, please check out our 2013 Blog of Boot Hill.

At the end of March, it felt the time had come to revisit the forgotten cemetery, and with the good weather finally upon us, it was perfect timing. Boot Hill is now accessible by a cemented foot path due to new construction nearby. A hi-rise has been built directly across from it (to the south), and soon another one is going up to the west. This has me wondering if its neighbours are experiencing an influx of paranormal activity.

Boot Hill Cemetery - looking north towards the Ravine below. Photo-VSPI©

Visit to Alcatraz

From the moment we landed on the island of Alcatraz, I knew there was something special about this place. Anyone can feel the energy swirling, if they truly pay attention to their body's reactions; however, a lot of anticipation on the cruise over to the island may cause a range of emotions. This being said, I had to be sure that what I was feeling wasn't because of excitement brewing. I shook it off and with my wife, Lesli, we looked around, paid $1 USD for a map of the Island, and made a plan of what areas to visit on our ascent to the top of the island where the famous Main Cell House stands.

Building 64 - Military Housing then Prison Residences

Happy Holidays!

Dear friends,

The holidays are at our door. Walking around the city on rainy evenings, the lights are warm and inviting. I spent an evening out in Gastown, one of Vancouver's oldest neighbourhoods, with friends in celebration for a colleague's retirement. As the rain fell on the cobblestone streets, and people were rushing home from a busy work day, I looked back upon the Harbour Centre and it's observation deck. What a beautiful sight! It was lit up in red, like a tree. Magical. I truly felt that joyous feeling of the season. Vancouver, a city of adventure among new and old buildings, green parks, interesting shops and friendly people. If it was snowing, it would be a miraculous sight.. but never-the-less, the rain does not spoil the feeling. I quite enjoy those evenings where everything sparkles because of our rainy season.

I will be travelling south to my home in Sebastopol, California for the holidays and into the first weeks of the New Year. There will be plenty of adventures, cemeteries to visit and places to discover. I'll keep in touch via Facebook, blog and our website with photos and stories.

The gang at VSPI wishes you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season! May all your dreams come true! Make it one of warmth and love, kindness and compassion. Remember, not everyone is happy during the season, so reach out to friends who may be alone. Share with them what most take for granted. We are blessed to live in this part of the world. Let's give to those who don't have much. A friend passed on a package of women's hygiene products to a shelter in the city. Their eyes lit up and they were so thankful. If we all gave, it would be a much safer and brighter world. Think on it. There are so many programs where we can give to others, for we truly are blessed.

Be safe, don't drink and drive, and remember, when celebrating your ancestors and loved ones who have passed on before you may be in visitation. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Let us know how you'll be celebrating the holidays by commenting here, on our Facebook page or sending us an email. We'd love to hear from you! And share with us your story.

As I like to say, "Jing-a-Ling"!
Enjoy,
Kati

Are Cemeteries Haunted?

Boot Hill Cemetery used between 1912-1968

When I first visited a tucked away prison cemetery with a dark past (“Boot Hill” in New Westminster, BC), I was astonished that the city allowed it to be forgotten. During a second visit, the small plot of land had been mowed. Each visit it was different, sometimes overgrown and other times the grasses had been cut to an even height. The gravestones seemed to be sinking deeper and deeper into the mushy, lumpiness of the earth, while the grasses and brambles continued their growth over top... As if to say “no one cares”.  I found this place fascinating and

Cleansing / Blessing - Your Home & Yourself!

Hello friends,

It’s been awhile.

I’ve been busy assisting in the packing of my mother’s apartment for her move into a new home. As she is in her later years, my siblings and I are set with this arduous task. Packing has always been a process I've disliked. However, I am filled with historical data and memories my mother has saved about our family's past. Photos and letters of family members I've heard little about, and items of memorabilia saved.. it's truly incredible. This approach has me thinking about what I may leave behind.  What is my legacy?  Who will read it? Who will touch my photos and items?  Will they be thought of as important and teach those after me about our family history?  It also has me thinking of spirit(s) who still linger with us on our earth.  What is it that keeps them here? Can spirit(s) attach themselves to items? Or is it energy of the item's past? Would we have to cleanse (or bless) these items if they bring that energy into our living space?  And, why is it that when the team and I go to an investigation, the spirit(s) already know we are on the way?  It certainly brings up other topics to discuss... but first, let's talk about Blessing and Cleansing ourselves and our sacred space, what we call "Home".  

Fighting Negative Energy & Oppression...

Hello friends,

This past weekend VSPI performed one of its most urgent and extreme home cleansings/blessings; as well as cleansing the client of a negative energy that had been attacking her and getting stronger by the day.  This is what VSPI is about, “carrying through with our promise to help our clients as best as we can”.  Indeed something to be proud of and shows that not all paranormal teams are “all about gathering evidence”; that we care, are compassionate, take action to resolve issues, and are a necessary group in this field.

So what happened? Why was this needed? What was going on?  Find below some of the facts of this case. Keeping in mind, we are protect the privacy and confidentiality of the family involved, and will not disclose their name(s) or location of their home.

Shadow People/Beings... Negative Energy or?

Hello Friends,

It has been a perception that “shadow people/beings” are made up of negative energy and may be considered demonic in nature.  However, is this something we can say with absolute certainty?  No, it’s still being debated in the paranormal community.

There are several theories offered.  Skeptics, the science community and those who have never experienced this phenomena may put forward the idea that it's your own imagination, tricks of the eye, illusions, and possibly one with a logical reason (IE: flashlight from another room bouncing off a person, car headlights flooding in from behind, moisture collected in the atmosphere, fog and so on).  But is this true for all sightings? If not, are these entities ghosts or demons or what?

In the following investigations, I will describe experiences of VSPI and some of our clients with the “shadow people” phenomena.  Unfortunately we were not able to capture them on film.  However, after in-depth client interviews, and thorough investigations using a variety of methods to gather evidence to support the sightings; we may have found some answers, and, unfortunately more questions.

To protect the privacy of our clients, we will not reveal the names/locations of some of the cases.