Citegeist

The Lady in the Attic (& Why Do Kids See Ghosts? The Spirit of Jane Woodman)


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A young girl in Newton, Massachusetts is visited repeatedly by the spirit of an old woman in her attic. After many discussions its revealed that the ghost has a mission for her...but what is it? This week we investigate the spirit of Jane Woodman and look at scientific reasons children seem to see ghosts so often.

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Sources:

A real-life New England ghost story for Hallowe'en. (2012, October 27). The Uncertaintist. https://uncertaintist.wordpress.com/2012/10/27/a-real-life-new-england-ghost-story-for-halloween/

Counter, R. (n.d.). Perspective | Why do so many kids 'see ghosts'? We asked some psychologists. Washington Post. Retrieved November 26, 2020, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/10/28/why-do-so-many-kids-see-ghosts-we-asked-some-psychologists/

Dickinson, E. (n.d.). Emily Dickinson Collection [Text]. Retrieved November 26, 2020, from http://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/amherst/ma167.html

Dickinson/Abiah Root (Strong) Correspondence: 7 May 1845 (Letter 6). (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2020, from http://archive.emilydickinson.org/correspondence/aroot/l6.html

Ghosts, Spirits and Psychology, A Halloween Story: - Child Development and Parenting: Middle Childhood. (n.d.). Retrieved November 26, 2020, from https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/ghosts-spirits-and-psychology-a-halloween-story/

Harris, P. L., Brown, E., Marriott, C., Whittall, S., & Harmer, S. (1991). Monsters, ghosts and witches: Testing the limits of the fantasy—reality distinction in young children. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 9(1), 105–123. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-835X.1991.tb00865.x

Married. (1849, September 25). Hampshire Gazette.

McLain, A. (n.d.). 17 Times Kids Saw Ghosts, And Totally Scared The Living Daylights Out Of Their Parents. BuzzFeed. Retrieved December 4, 2020, from https://www.buzzfeed.com/asiawmclain/kid-ghost-stories

Moore, A. (2020, January 26). What is it about kids and ghosts? The tales that will give you shivers. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-7891245/What-kids-ghosts-Anna-Moore-hears-tales-send-shivers-spine.html

Mrs. Jane L. Woodman. (1915, June 7). The Springfield Union, page 4.

New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Vital Records, 1911–1915

r/Paranormal—Any stories of your children seeing ghosts? (n.d.). Reddit. Retrieved December 4, 2020, from https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/5rm3ig/any_stories_of_your_children_seeing_ghosts/

Sharon, T., & Woolley, J. D. (2004). Do monsters dream? Young children's understanding of the fantasy/reality distinction. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 22(2), 293–310. https://doi.org/10.1348/026151004323044627

The Spirit of Mrs. Woodman. (n.d.). NECN. Retrieved November 26, 2020, from https://www.necn.com/news/local/_necn__the_spirit_of_mrs__woodman_necn/58282/

Woolley, J. D., & E. Ghossainy, M. (2013). Revisiting the Fantasy-Reality Distinction: Children as Naïve Skeptics. Child Development, 84(5), 1496–1510. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.12081

Year: 1910; Census Place: Cambridge Ward 9, Middlesex, Massachusetts; Roll: T624_596; Page: 27A; Enumeration District: 0781; FHL microfilm: 1374609

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CitegeistBy Joshua Spellman

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