Séances and Spirits: The Spiritual Movement and Tracing Family History
As the autumn leaves turn and October arrives, it’s natural to think about spirits and ghosts. But for many in the 19th century, connecting with the supernatural was a fascination that lasted all year long. The Spiritualism movement, which began in 1848, centered around contacting the dead through séances and mediums. Throughout the Victorian era, Spiritualism captivated the public imagination and made the mystical seem plausible, even in the light of day. While October still carries that spooky association, the “ghost fever” of the 1800s made the paranormal an everyday possibility.
During the 19th century, the modern Spiritualism movement was born in upstate New York when sisters, Kate and Margaret Fox, began to communicate with the spirit of an alleged murdered peddler who was haunting a farmhouse in Hydesville, New York. News of their abilities quickly spread, first throughout Victorian-era America, and later over to England with the assistance of Spiritualist Societies.
The Spiritualist movement brought otherworldly communion into everyday life through séances and mediums. In London, these mystical encounters were often upper-class amusements, but in America, Spiritualism took on a more egalitarian character. Mediums held séances in modest homes and public halls, while Spiritualist conventions gathered believers from all walks of life. This accessibility allowed the working class to find comfort and meaning through contact with the spirit realm. Through genealogy and family history research, we can work to find out if our ancestors took part.
There were several reasons why Spiritualism appealed to Victorians and may have appealed to your ancestors as well:
- It offered a way to communicate with dead loved ones. During the 1800s, nearly 46% of babies born didn’t make it to their fifth birthday.
- Spiritualism suggested that there was life after death, providing hope for an afterlife. This would have given them peace when they thought of their loved ones and allowed them not to fear the end of their own life.
- Advances in science led to the discovery of electricity and magnetism, two unseen forces that made the idea of communicating with spirits seem scientifically plausible.
- The movement gave women more power and authority than they would have had before. Most mediums were female, making it a female-empowered career.
Tracing your ancestry and family tree back to the Victorian period may uncover skeptical or believing relatives. Here are insights into the movement and resources to research your family’s potential Spiritualist leanings and connections to ghosts.
Many famous Americans became leading advocates of Spiritualism. Social reformer and abolitionist Frederick Douglass was convinced the spirits of the dead could return. Feminist Elizabeth Cady Stanton got involved to call for women’s rights. Author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle visited famous mediums and wrote about his experiences.
There are some good resources available to potentially connect the Spiritualism movement to your family history and genealogy research:
- Check Census Records — In some cases, your relative may be listed under “Occupation” and “Industry” as having “Spiritualism” listed.
- Look for Spiritualist Church Records — Some Spiritualist churches, like The First Spiritualist Church of Salem, kept membership lists and records that are available online. ()
- Search Newspaper Archives — Local papers reported on Spiritualist Societies and activities. Finding an ancestor mentioned may provide evidence.
- Investigate Family Letters/Diaries — If you have access to letters, diaries, or old books, ancestors may have mentioned their Spiritualist beliefs or written about ghostly personal experiences in their writing.
- Look into Prominent Spiritualists — Famous advocates like the Fox sisters traveled and gave demonstrations. Did they visit the area where your ancestors lived?
By the late 19th century, Spiritualism’s popularity waned due to exposure to fraudulent mediums. The movement left a legacy that later influenced New Age beliefs and occult practices. Though not as pervasive today, Spiritualist churches still exist, claiming millions of modern followers.
Spiritualism’s rise coincided with immense loss and social change, leaving many Victorians hungry for affirmation and connection. While believing relatives may have found solace in séances, skeptical ones likely saw deception. Either way, this fascinating movement shaped many ancestries. Carefully following the clues may reveal long-hidden Spiritualist threads in your family story.
To learn more about the Modern Spiritualism Movement, check out these books:
- “Talking to the Dead: Kate and Maggie Fox and the Rise of Spiritualism” by Barbara Wiseberg
- “Talking to the Other Side” by Todd Jay Leonard
- “Modern Spiritualism” by Emma Hardinge and D. Britten (Originally published in 1899)
- “The History of Spiritualism: Vol. 1 & Vol. 2” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Originally published in 1926)**
** these are paid links
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Aryn is a genealogist who researches family trees, a lover of local cemeteries, and a social history enthusiast. She helps people discover their family roots and heritage.