Thanks to Kell and Pate, and Cat etc... for waiting for this story. Back in the 1980's, I lived in a building with only 4 apartments in it. It was built around the turn of the century. One afternoon I was sitting watching TV. I saw a white middled-aged man walk through one of my walls with a old fashion brown jacket on and pants on and a hat. The clothing looked to be from the late 1800's or very early 1900's. He was also very visible and I could clearly see his clothing and face. He turned and looked in my direction for a few seconds, he looked right at me. I heard no sounds coming from him at all. He kept walking through my apartment, through my place and went through a wall in my kitchen toward the backyard. I had the downstairs apartment at the time. I had been having a strong feeling of a presence while I lived there too. I would sometimes hear voices for no reason in my home. And, sometimes see though the side of my eyes like the shadows of someone or people. In the 1800's right where a large church is now. There used to be smaller church there and also a graveyard next to it. I have no idea how big the graveyard was. I lived two short city blocks from this church. The graves were later dug up and exhumed and moved, I think around the late 1800's. This area just has homes built on the streets now and a small shopping area with a stores, and one large supermarket. I am wondering if the fact a graveyard use to be so close could have had anything to do with what I saw? Also, I live in San Francisco, where the 1906 earthquake happened. I am wondering if he could be some ghost that died during it. At the time of quake, this area had few homes built on it. So the first little church and graveyard would have been here almost by itself. I have no idea how big the graveyard was; but, I think the first smaller church, with the graveyard before they built the bigger one was around for at least 20 or 30 years if not longer. But, have no idea how far the graveyard extended, or how many people were buried there. Afterwards, I never did see that again. I did keep feeling the presence of people and had other weird things happen sometimes, with things moving around my home that I never touched and weird shadows and voices sometimes. It was then I knew ghosts really existed and spirits did come back, having seen one walk though my home so clearly. The females in my family have always been somewhat psychic too. So I am wondering if that is why I saw him. It's good to be able to discuss this after all this time because I never mentioned it to anyone later, being afraid that people would not believe me.


=)

[ February 03, 2005, 02:11 AM: Message edited by: SavannahSilkie ]

Hi Gremlin:

I'm glad you shared this with us. First of all, I'd say the man you saw was a ghost, rather than a spirit. He could very well have been attached to that area because he died there in the quake. The reason I'm saying he was a ghost is because it has all the earmarks of an earthbound human spirit. He evidently realized your presence, since he looked right at you. Ghosts tend to feel as if we're intruding on "their" space once they realize we're around. They also are nonchalant a lot of times, just giving a glance in our direction and going on about whatever business they did when they were living. With the church and the graveyard being nearby, it's also possible it's related to that. I would say you are "senstive" and therefore, you can see them. Many times that ability runs in families. It does in mine, my mom is a sensitive and so I am. I'd say the shadows and voices of "people" very likely has something to do with the graveyard that used to be there. It would be cool if you could somehow find out who lived in that apartment building back when the quake took place, then possibly find out names of victims who died during the quake, and perhaps tie the two together. The library and courthouse in your area may have that info. Very interesting story there, and it would be interesting to research it.

Hugs,
Pate =)

Thats is a good idea Pate.When I have some time.I think I will slowly start investigationing this.Most of the citys records were destroyed or burned up during the fire of the 1906 earhtquake. But I think I will try to find other records for the building and area etc,someday when I can.The females in my family have allways been the senstives.Your right the ghost was going about his business and with no concern that there was people living there.There also been reports in the press here.By the the citys official historian, that she has found out from a long project of research that alot more people died during the quake than was officially reported.I feel there is alot restless ghosts haunting this city.

Hi Gremlin,

Thanks for sharing your story with us, and no worries that ppl here won't believe as most if not all of us have had experiences to share. =)

What a great experience to see him so clearly and looking right at you. With his walking through walls like that I'm inclined to believe that he may be linked to the apartment itself or a building that was on that land prior to the apartment. Seeing this happened when you were living in the basement apartment it would be possible he's still wandering through a building that once existed. The apartment is quite old being built at the turn of the century I wonder if the lay-out was ever changed at one point? I know you indicated there wasn't much in the area before besides the church and graveyard but you never know if early in the 1800's there was a settlement or home of some sort that there is no record of? With records destroyed in the quake/fire you many never be able to find out the full history of the land. It's a good idea though to research the records still available for the land, apartment and surrounding area.

I agree you may be more sensitive to these things and that being sensitive does often run in families. I too am sensitive to the unseen, I feel and see things others don't. My sons are like me as is my Mom although it's slightly different for her and to a lesser degree.

The quake was a terrible tragedy with so many lives lost so I agree with you the city likely has many restless souls wandering about. Let us know if you find anything in your research. =)

Hi Gremlin!

That must have been such an awesome experience! I agree with Cat, I would definitely say that he could be linked to the apartment. It would be interesting to see what, if any, other buidlings where there before your apartment buidling. It's ashame that so much was lost in the quake/fire. But as Cat said, researching records that are available may give you some more clues as to who this gentleman may be.

Thank you so much for sharing Gremlin, and definitely keep us updated!

Trin =)

Hi Gremlin,

I'm sorry for getting to your story so late...

Very interesting story and that's really cool that you were able to see his apparition so clearly! I'm wondering... could you see his lower legs & feet, or were they 'missing'? I think he may well have been a sentient spirit (able to interact w/ the living), since he paused and looked at you. I don't feel he was upset with you being there; just acknowledging and passing through.

Anyhow, I wanted to mention a couple things that I see/feel. This may seem like an odd thing to some, but in addition to my other psychic abilities, at times, I also have the uncanny ability to 'see' and/or 'feel' others' ghosts (past or present) - and sometimes even the living (from afar), in my mind's eye.

Before I even got to to part in your post, reminding about the 1906 quake and that this apartment was in San Francisco, I felt sure he was from the early 1900's (most definitely pre-WWI), vs. late 1800's. After you mentioned the quake, it just validated it for me. Kinda like an "ah-ha" moment.

Regarding your ghost man of years past, here's what I 'see': A Caucasian man in his early-mid 40's (I know you already mentioned that, but it's also what I 'see'), brown/dark brown hair (eyes, too, I think), with a full (bushy, but nicely trimmed) mustache. He's average build; average weight with a slightly heavier mid-section; average height... 5'-6" to 5'-8" ? (I'm terrible at guessing exact heights!)

Details regarding the "brown suit" & clothing: I feel he was an amply well-dressed man for his time (most likely middle-upper class). He wore a medium-light brown (almost with a hint of auburn color in the weave), coarse tweed (similar to, but not a herringbone pattern). There are tiny, tiny wool fibers that 'stick out' of the fabric. The suit coat has a fairly high lapel; and is cut to curve to the back, on the front bottom areas. The length of the coat is just past his butt (like business suits of today). He's also wearing a Bowler hat -- the very domed kind. Feet/shoes I don't see...

I'll see if I can locate some example pics of the clothing styles I'm trying to describe and post the links for you.

Thanks for telling your story about this, Gremlin. I'm curious to learn more, if at all possible, about the land/church/graveyard that was there at the time of the quake/fire. If this was a basement apartment, is it possible (I have to wonder), if the apartments may have been built in the area of the exhumations!?

Hugs,
Kell

[ February 12, 2005, 02:37 AM: Message edited by: KellKell ]

Here are some examples of the suit & hat I described above.

Men's Clothing: 1890-1910
- Sac Coat[/URL]
- Bowler Hat (the middle one)[/URL]
- or, another example: Bowler Hat (far left one)[/URL]

Kell

(Images found at: http://www.historyinthemaking.org/[/URL] )

Your description Kell is exactly how he looked.Fom what I can remember He had the last bowler hat on that you showed.I think I could see his legs and feet to. He had on either black or brown shoes.The church was on the same location that was rebuild into a bigger one at the turn of the century.I was told that the first small church was there for many years.That first one was build in the 1800's.My building was two very short city blocks away from it. I am sure since first church had been there for many years.I would think the graveyard would have to have been big enough and had enough space to keep burying people. So I would think it might have to have covered the area, what is now two short city blocks, to where my old building was. I just hope this guys soul and spirit is at peace. Thanks so much Kell for your help.

=)