Over many years of research, investigators have come to see hauntings as falling into separate categories.

Not all hauntings concern an actual 'ghost'.

So here are some generalized brief descriptions of some of the different categories of hauntings that are currently recognized....

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Residual Haunting -- These are believed to be a 'recording' of sorts of specific events in time, resulting possibly from environmental conditions and emotional energy somehow 'imprinting' upon an area, and being played back over and over. Battlefield hauntings are typical of this type of paranormal event. This type of haunting shows no reaction to the presence of the living, the actions are played out much as a movie playing on a screen.

Classic Haunting -- The ghost of a deceased person, many times a loved one, is seen around the home, in different places, and seems to react to or try to interract with the living. Intelligence is perceived in the actions, and sometimes EVP's obtained during research seems to display an attempt to communicate.

Poltergeist -- Two theories are currently held about this type of haunting...one says a poltergeist is a mischievous spirit, rather like a bratty child that  is misbehaving...another says it is the unconscious projection of psychokinetic energy from someone in the home, usually a teenage female. There is a possibility that both theories could be at work, that psychokinetic energy is being unconsciously projected, AND that it has, in turn, attracted a mischievous spirit that is feeding off that energy and wreaking havoc.

Demonic -- Some people believe a haunting could be demonic in nature, others that a negative entity is at work but not necessarily a demon...these types of hauntings are actually extremely rare, as are cases of demonic possession, and the situation should be handled with extreme caution.

Crisis Haunting -- Apparition of loved one who has died appearing to a family member, usually someone who lives at a distance, just prior to/during/or after death, typically within a few days of the death.

Phantom Hitchhikers -- Apparition that appears to be a fully alive human, who hitches a ride with someone, then disappears...the most famous is Resurrection Mary in Chicago. Typically occurs on anniversary of their death.

Phantom Travellers -- Similar to the phantom hitchhikers, only these apparitions are seen to be riding a horse, boarding a train, or other travel related activity, typically along a certain route...they also tend to be cyclical, appearing on the anniversary of their death.

Anniversary Hauntings -- Apparitions that take place on the anniversary of some event or death.

Family Hauntings -- Apparitions that appear to certain families, sometimes through several generations, usually foretelling of some death or tragedy.

Photographic -- Not exactly a haunting, rather a manifestation that only shows up in pictures.

Object Hauntings -- There have been reports of objects to which some spirit/ghost has attached itself, such as a favorite watch.

Object Apparitions -- The mysterious manifestation of an object seemingly out of nowhere.

Grey Ladies -- Apparition of mysterious ghostly female figures, usually dressed in white, but sometimes dressed in gray or black, believed to have died from heartache or having committed suicide.

Graveyard Shades -- Shadowy figures seen in cemetaries, believed to be the etheric remains of the deceased, they don't interact with the living, and therefore seem to fall more under the heading of residual hauntings.

There are more, but you get the idea...it's not as cut and dried as ya thought!