Janet Bord of The Fortean Times has raided the Fortean Picture Library and along with a group of expert paranormalists has produced the Top 10 genuine ghost photographs of all time.
I must point out that "genuine" is used in the sense that the pictures themselves have been scrutinised closely by photographical experts and no tampering, trickery or other forms of 'doctoring' with either camera, film, negative or glass slate has (to date) been evident.
No claims are being made that the 'ghosts' themselves are genuine.
All the photographs still await being exposed as fakes.
Judge for yourself.
The Black Abbot
The village of Prestbury near Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire has something of a reputation when it comes to ghosts.
One of the better known tales of the area concerns itself with 'The Black Abbot' who is said to walk the churchyard.
Local photographer Derek Stafford was asked to take some photographs of the churchyard for the next parish newsletter in November 1990.
The ghostly black abbot showed up on his very last photo but he recalls seeing nothing at the time.
Click to see full size image
The Tutbury Cloaked Ghost
Brenda Ray took this photograph of the town centre in Tutbury, Staffordshire in March 1993.
In the bottom left hand corner there appears to be a figure in a black cloak walking in the middle of the road.
Brenda did not notice the figure at the time and it didn't show up in the next shot taken seconds later.
Click to see full size image
Click to see full size image
Lord Combermere
Sybil Corbet took this picture of the library in Combermere Abbey, Cheshire in December 1891.
The same day was the funeral of Lord Combermere.
The photograph is said to show Lord Combermere himself sitting in his favourite chair to the left of the picture.
However it has been noted that he appears much smaller in the chair than he would have while alive. Also, he appears to have no legs.
Click to see full size image
The Brown Lady
Quite possibly the most famous 'ghost' picture in the world. Taken in Raynham Hall in 1937 this is probably the most tested and scrutinised ghost photo ever - and still nobody has proven it a fake.
Taken by Captain Provand he recalls not seeing the ghost at the time however his assistant did.
The Brown Lady is believed to be the ghost Dorothy Walpole who later became Lady Townshend and died in 1729.
She is called the brown lady because in her official portrait she is wearing a brown dress.
Click to see full size image
The Armoured Ghost Of Guildhall
Professional photographer Haddon Davies took this snap in January 1985 in St. Mary's Guildhall, Coventry to photograph the Coventry Freeman's Guild annual dinner.
When the picture was developed a strange figure in what appears to be a suit of armour can be seen standing at the end of the top table while all the guests are saying grace.
Click to see full size image
Click to see full size image
Ferguson's Brother
When Robert A. Ferguson was addressing in Los Angeles, California in November 1968, nobody seemed aware of anything unusual taking place on the stage.
However when this photo was developed later a figure can clearly be seen standing close to Robert.
Robert later claimed the image was that of his late brother Walter who was killed in service in 1944.
Click to see full size image
Ghostly Dog
The two ladies and their maid taking afternoon tea in the garden seem blissfully unaware of their canine companion at the bottom left of the picture.
Taken in August 1916 in Tingewick in Buckinghamshire by retired chief inspector Arthur Springer formerly of CID at Scotland Yard.
The house was owned by the lady in the left of the photograph (Mrs. Kate Townsend) who is said not to have owned a dog at that time.
You notice that the dog's head appears to be missing.
Click to see full size image
The 9ft Phantom
Another famous photograph. This shot was taken by Rev. K. F. Lord the then vicar of Newby Church.
Taken in the summer of 1962 the picture shows what appears to be a shrouded figure wearing a face covering with eye-holes.
Going by measurements of the alter in comparison with the steps, if this were an actual person it would stand slightly over 9 feet tall!
The good Reverend maintained until his death in 2000 he was alone in the church and he saw nothing unusual at the time.
Click to see full size image
Inn Spectre
This figure was snapped in the cellars of The Viaduct Tavern, London in 1988.
The pub stands on the site of the Victorian Newgate Prison and the cellars still have the underground cells where prisoners were kept before deportation to Australia.
A Danish tourist by the name of Lars Thomass took the picture whilst on a tour of the cellar.
Click to see full size image
The Girl In The Fire.
In November 1995 the town hall of Wem in Shropshire was destroyed by fire. As the fire brigade tackled the inferno a local man, Tony O'Rahilly took a picture of the burning building.
What appears to be the figure of a young girl can be seen in the flames.
She is believed by locals to be the spirit of a young girl who accidentally started a fire in her house in 1677 which went on to destroy most of the village of Wem.
Workmen who restored the town hall after the fire and who were unaware at the time of the photgraph claimed to have witnessed the ghost of a young girl whilst working on the hall.
Click to see full size image
Click to see full size image
david hobbs
What an amazing collection of pictures.
Raymond
I have my suspicions about 'The Black Abott' one but who am I to argue with photographical experts?
But you're right Mr. Hobbs. More pictures and stories to add to my files.
Raymond
I would like to add a picture of my own to this gallery.
In 2005 I was a member of The Ghost Club, the longest running paranormal investigative organisation in Britain.
We were on an investigation at Mitchelham Priory and our group was making our way to the Friar's chamber on the first floor.
There were 6 of us in our group. A lady named Kathy and myself made our way up to the chamber first with the other four of our group trailing behind.
Kathy entered the room first and I was close behind. I was stood in the doorway and she was just on the inside of the door.
I can absolutely assure you there was nobody else in the room at the time.
Kathy took a picture of the room before the others got there. I was there when she took it and I wasn't aware of any tampering with the camera.
Under the large window was a wooden chair. We looked at the picture immediately because it was a digital camera.
This is what we saw in the chair;
david hobbs
What do you feel with this person.
I for once do really feel that this could be the real deal.
I feel anger with this spook.
Raymond
3 years on, this picture still sends a chill down my spine every time I look at it.
I've always put it down to the fact that I was there and connected to it and not just some ghosty pic you see in a magazine or a website.
The Friar's chamber is one of most active rooms at the Priory. Possibly because when it was used as a Friar's chamber very few people would have been allowed in, an now anybody can stroll in.
I don't know, this pic gives me the heebie-jeebies. Like I say, I've just put it down to me being there.
I'd be interested to hear everybody's views.
