Topic Guide to Spiritualism

The information and links below include search tips and a selection of articles covering this topic in the digitized Louisiana newspapers. The dates and suggested search terms can help to further explore this topic on Chronicling America. For the most search results, try the search terms in different combinations, in proximity, and as phrases.

Significant Dates

1840s - Spiritualism movement gains traction as disconent with traditional religious organizations grows
1848 - The Fox sisters of Hydesville, New York attract thousands of followers and spark the modern spiritualist movement by claiming the ability to communicate with the dead. Hundreds of clairvoyants, palmists, and spirit guides begin popping up across America as the spiritualist movement’s popularity spreads.
1888 - The Fox sisters confess to fraud but later recant their confessions
1890 - Approximately 45,000 Americans identify themselves as affiliatesd with a spiritualist society

Suggested Search Terms

spiritualism, spiritism, spirit guides, clairvoyant, modern spiritualism, spiritual rappings

Sample Articles