A Ghost to Die For (22 page)

Simply type in “Laveau, Marie” in the search box, up will pop her biography, as well as, the picture of the best-known painted portrait of her.

In the 1940s, researcher and author Robert Tallant conducted extensive in-person research about voodoo. His book:
Voodoo in New Orleans
was first published in 1946.

Chapter 12

The surname of Glapion is the widowed surname of Marie Laveau. Reportedly in the history of New Orleans, there have been, and may still be, men, practicing voodoo, with the name of John “Jack” Glapion who claim direct lineage to Marie Laveau.

“Persons of Color” was a legal definition in the days of slavery. Free Africans carried documented papers declaring their status of freedom as a “free person of color.”

After the abolition of slavery, this same term, or phrase, became a social description.

Chapter 13

The story of Ruby Red is true, though in my plot I used artistic freedom in giving her an identity. No reports in history give a definite name as to her real identity. The elusive Ruby Red remains a mystery. I wrote the story about Ruby Red.

Chapter 19

The method that Alex used to train Atlas is the same method of dog training that I have used with all my dogs, including my two Irish Wolfhounds, Brendan and Connor (rest in peace). It is often called How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend. You can learn more about the Monks of New Skete, their monastery and their dedicated work in training dogs, for which they are famous for, at: www.newskete.com

Alex and Shannon dine at The Prado restaurant in San Diego, and if you are in the area, you can dine there, too. It is located near the San Diego Museum of Art and the restaurant really does feature the work of local artists. Find out about The Prado at:

www.pradobalboa.com Reservations are advised.

Chapter 25

The account about the children, who said St. Clare saved them from perishing in a storm, is true. For those curious about this patron saint, you can satisfy your curiosity at the site for Catholic On-line, choose “Saints” from the menu on top and then choose the letter “C” from the index page, scroll to Clare:

www.catholic.org

Chapter 27

The story about Bum, the town dog of San Diego is true. In fact, there are many more variations and retellings about Bum in the archives of San Diego history. I have written about Bum for various magazines, the story about him in this book is one I wrote. You can read more about Bum at the site for San Diego History. From the main page type “Bum” into the search box that is on the upper right of the main page:

www.sandiegohistory.org

Chapter 32

The San Diego savings bank did exist and was in business up until few years ago. The main address for this bank is, indeed, now a high-rise hotel in downtown San Diego, not too far from the Gaslamp Quarter.

Alex and Shannon drive north from San Diego to the City of Orange, in Orange County. The City of Orange is a well-known area for antique shopping in the district called Orange Circle.

Chapter 33

The United States has required traveling papers in the form of a Passport, since the colonial period of the United States in the 1700s. There is a fascinating book about the history of passports that was printed in 1898 by the United States Department of State, the government department that regulates passports:
The American Passport, its history and digest of laws, rulings and regulations governing its issuance by the department of State.

This book is in the collection at Harvard University. However, you do not need to go to Harvard to read this book. It is free to read on the Internet, available in different e-book formats and because it is public domain, you can download this book, and print it up should you prefer to read on paper:

http://archive.org/detailsamericanpasspor00huntgoog

The book makes for a fascinating topic of study, for all age groups. When I was a school librarian, I often recommended this book to students (high school to college) who were looking for an unusual topic that had not been presented before.

Chapter 35

Shannon’s knowledge of nicotine poisoning through skin absorption is true. If you care to learn more about this type of poisoning, then go to the site for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov Type “Nicotine Poisoning” into the search box on the main page, top right. The result is hundreds of articles.

Shannon’s account of her ancestors from Barbados introducing the tobacco industry to colonial America is true, in the sense that her ancestors, are my ancestors. In 1632, my Corley ancestors sent tobacco plants and seeds to Virginia from Barbados. Shannon’s reference to her Southern heritage and being a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, “D.A.R.” is borrowed from my own ancestry, which on both sides of my family is Southern and dates back to colonial America of the 1600s. I am a member of the D.A.R.

About Elizabeth Eagan-Cox

Elizabeth Eagan-Cox writes the Shannon Delaney paranormal mystery series novels for Write Words, Inc. The novels are published in numerous e-book formats and trade paperback. At present, Elizabeth is working on book six in this series.

In addition to writing the Shannon Delaney novels, Elizabeth is active in the nonfiction realm of ghost hunting. She is the author of the well-known reference guide:
Ghost Hunters Research Guide to Free Internet Sources
(Charles River Press). Elizabeth volunteers her expertise as a behind-the-scene paranormal researcher. She is often a guest on paranormal talk radio shows.

Elizabeth resides in California, travels occasionally and is always at home on the Internet. Readers may visit Elizabeth at:

www.ElizabethEaganCox.net