Tracy Franklin
Born in Greeneville Tennessee in 1974, in the former Dickson Williams’ mansion, the oldest child of three. I always was aware of ghost growing up my family never told me it was my imagination they always embraced that the family home was haunted. I had my first encounter with the other side when I was 14 at a friend’s house.
An unseen entity scratched and clawed my back and left shoulder, I remember the room getting very hot and then feeling the burning on my shoulder. I had scratch marks and teeth prints on my shoulder. This drove me into trying to find out what forces were there to hurt people. I never found a group or anyone who could explain this to me. I really put the wheels into motion after graduation. I founded the Tennessee Paranormal Research Society. Working steadily researching and investigation the paranormal while I was not working. I took a break in 1994 when I got married to my lovely wife Julie. 2 years later our daughter Alexis was born Sept 13 1996 yes it was a Friday. I perused the paranormal on my own and with a few members of the society until Jan 2006 when I was asked to take over as president and owner of East Tennessee Paranormal Society. I merged the two groups to form East Tennessee Paranormal Research Society a non profit group. We have made many strides in the paranormal field as ETPRS.
I work as a welder by day and as the groups non profit overseer at night.
I live in Greeneville with my lovely wife, daughter and 3 dogs.
Email is tracy@etprs.com Phone 423-972-1861 / 423-620-9573 204 Baxter Street Greeneville, TN 37745
Tracy Franklin 20 Questions
1. Where do you see ghost hunting and Paranormal groups, web sites or Ghost information, tours, Books Paranormal Radio and Television in 10 years?
I see the paranormal field really expanding and becoming more respected with in the next 10 years, as science is applied to our research it only helps solidify our cause.
2. What would you personally consider to be the definitive proof that ghosts are real?
Well that is for the evidence to say, some people thin that if you only have evps that it is not proof enough, some feel you have to have audio and video. I think that personal experiences and hard proof in the form of audio, video and photos are a way to have definitive proof.
3. What is the most real evidence you personally have uncovered so far?
Most real evidence uncovered has to be given a generals name from the civil war in a room where he died.
4. Are you skeptical of the claims other make of their findings?
To a degree we are all skeptical to others claims, not being there or knowing the whole situation.
5. If you could investigate your "Dream Haunted Hot Spot" where would it be?
Well my dream hot spot was Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Investigated it June 2, 2007
6. What was your first Paranormal encounter?
When I was 14 an unseen entity scratched and bit me on the back and shoulder.
7. What scares you about Ghost Hunting or Paranormal Investigations?
Honestly the paranormal does not scare me it is the living that scare me or the condition of a location.
8. If you could work side by side with one of the Paranormal Investigator greats, who would it be?
John Zaffis hands down.
9. Read any good Paranormal Books lately?
Just finished Shadows of the Dark by John Zaffis
10. What Question do people ask you most when you tell them your a paranormal investigator, Personality?
I always get asked it is real? Or So you’re a ghost hunter?
11. In your opinion, Where is the most Haunted city in America?
Savannah, Georgia
12. Do you feel more people should get involved with Ghost hunting or Paranormal Investigation?
Yes I think that if more people get involved to some degree it will only help to educate people on what is out there.
13. What does the future hold for you?
More Paranormal investigations, hoping to get definitive proof that there is more than we know.
14. Paranormal Conventions do you see them growing? And which ones are the Must go to ones?
I have seen many come and go I went to one last year and planed on attending this year but it was canceled. I plan on attend UVCON and Ghost World.
15. What is your most favored tool of the trade?
Digital Camera. Would have said thermal camera but I don’t have one yet.
16. Tell us about your best moment in investigating or conference attending for you?
Meeting John Zaffis, Grant Wilson and Jason Haws.
17. What is the hardest part about being a paranormal investigator?
The hardest part to me is dealing with people who fake a haunting. It really disturbs me when we spend money and time and find out it is a fake.
18. How do you document your investigations?
We use audio, video, photographs and each investigator has to submit a report on the investigation.
19. Have you ever taken a ghost Tour? And, What about it did you not like?
Yes I did the Haunts of Richmond tour. It would have been a great tour had it not been that everything that was suppose to be haunted was closed up and you could not get in or it was too dangerous for you to be there at night .
20. What in the field of ghost hunting and Paranormal Investigating needs the most attention?
Scientific research and education of the people. People who put their hearts and souls into the field are often seen just as the ones who ghost hunt for a kick.
