Some views of the main staircase from the second to the third floor, a third-floor bedroom with an original light fixture still surviving, and a view showing some of the original brickwork was that exposed during the restoration.














A third floor bedroom facing the street, the same room with a filtered image to bring out any type of activity, a rear third floor room, and another view of the closed up front entrance from the main staircase. All show evidence of orb activity.













Some extreme enlargements showing the different type of orb activity, both inside and out. What is clear from the first two photographs is evidence of moving orbs, following a path or pattern of its own. In the second image one is clearly seen flying behind and around one of the people present there that night, an intelligent control not usually associated with simple dust particles. A number have been witnessed by the current owner flying above and around people which are not readily explained, especially when they move on their own against any wind or drafts that may be present.





The first floor kitchen area again, soon to have new life as a wine cellar. A rare blue-colored orb can be on the left-hand side, and an enlargement. Stories are of servants in period dress seen leaving the kitchen area into the main first floor room, usually only seen or occasionally photographed in a mirror that faces the doorway. Similar stories exist for most of the mirrors on the floors of the house, and can usually be written off as urban legends. However, two examples caught by us that night are enough to give one pause.







The image at far left is an original mirror hanging over a fireplace in the main second-floor bedroom. It is esentially a very dark, almost black image. The second photo is the same view, but considerably lightened. It was upon closer examination that I thought I detected a semi-transparent figure standing in the doorway.

















These are all views of an enlargement of the figure as processed through various filters in an effort to bring out more detail. Unfortunately, the image is so faint as to be just on the edge of being visually discernable. Barely visible are fleshtones suggesting a face, an arm with a hand emerging from a type of oversized sleeve or cuff, and another arm extending outward blocking part of the doorjam. It seems to be entering the room, and is dense enough to block out part of the background behind it. No one else was present in the room or on the floor at the time the picture was taken, and if someone had wandered in unknown they would have been easily heard on the bare wood floors in the room, and would have been present nearby after the picture was taken. However, this image does not compare with what was captured next....







IS THIS THE GHOST OF HANS TIEDEMANN?










This image was taken of the first floor (main room) fireplace and mirror hanging over it. No one else was present on the entire first floor when the photograph was taken, and nothing unusual was noticed at the time until the photos were examined afterward. In the mirror can clearly be seen the upper body of a bearded man wearing 19th century clothing. The next two views are a lightened and enlarged view of the figure in question.













These are three more views processed through various filters. One can clearly make out hair, a reddish or sandy colored beard, an ear, a dark-colored suit with white shirt, and an 19th-century style tie below the neck. Just before the figure is a very faint, round orb as well. He appears to be interested or watching as the room was being photographed!




At far left is the clearest view we have been able to obtain of the 19th-century figure. Unfortunately, we have as yet been unable to obtain any views of Hans Tiedemann earlier in life when he first settled in Cleveland and began construction of Franklin Castle, though we are continuing to research the matter more fully. What we have for comparison is the view of Tiedemann late in life, after he had already built his fortune. Last is a portrait of President Hayes for comparison purposes, showing the typical attire and appearance of a man in the late 1800s, which matches the unknown figure very closely. Does this qualify as a full-bodied apparition? You be the judge.






Lastly are two views taken at different times that night of the same mirror, which I present for comparison purposes. Both are closer views showing the wall and doorway opposite, and showing that there clearly is no kind of picture, portrait, or other artwork hanging that might be reflected in the mirror. In fact, all the walls of the house are bare of any hanging artwork while restoration is underway. No one else was present when the photograph was taken, and there was certainly no fully bearded person dressed in 1800s clothing among us that night! For now, the spirit's identity must remain a matter of conjecture.





Of further interest is that is was at the same location - the same room where the above image was caught - that out only EVP of the night was also captured. While the rest of the group was exploring other rooms on the floor opposite the main sitting room, the following voice was caught. In FRANKLIN CASTLE CLIP 1 a voice can be heard stating matter of factly "I'm in charge". This was soon after the current owner had described his renovation plans to us, and his intent to turn the castle into a private club and bed-and-breakfast inn. In FRANKLIN CASTLE CLIP 2 most of the deep background noise and rumble has been removed in order to try and isolate the voice a little clearer. Again, no one was present or standing next to me when this recording was made, the nearest people were across the hall in another room entirely, and would have been picked up just as a faint murmer that you can hear in the background. Are the present day ghostly occupants reminding the living that whatever plans are made for the future of the Castle it is they who still are, ultimately, in charge?


Franklin Castle never fails to surprise. Once again, we obtained results of a kind never expected when the evening started. Franklin Castle has always been - and remains - one of the most reliable and consistent locations of paranormal activity we have yet to encounter. The current owner hopes to complete restoration of the Castle by the end of 2008 and return it to its former glory. When that happens, you can be sure we will once again be paying the occupants of the Castle - both living and dead - yet another visit.