Sans Souci

History of the Area

From: www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Rockdale_Sub_SansSouci.aspx

Development of the area dates from the 1830s when the first land grants were made, although growth was slow until the 1850s and 1860s. Catherine Cooper was the first to be given a 100 acre grant in the area in 1830, where she and husband, Robert Cooper Jr. built a home. The Coopers later operated a distillery there and the land was known as Charlotte Point and then Rocky Point.

Sans Souci took its name from a grand house built in 1853 on Rocky Point Road, by Thomas Holt (1811-1888), a wood merchant and politician, for his German wife. It was named after Sanssouci in Potsdam, Germany, the summer palace of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. In the 1860s, Holt, who thought the area was too remote, sold his Sans Souci property to William Rust, who turned it into a popular hotel, despite its isolation.

A steam tram operated between Sans Souci and Kogarah in the 1890s which allowed people to enjoy bathing, boating and fishing. In 1937, a silent electric trolley bus was introduced, until 1959 that ran from Rockdale to Kogarah, Sans Souci and Dolls Point.

History of the House

The house was built around 1934 and was the home of one client’s great-grandparents when they were first married. The client’s grandparents both died there (approx. 1983/4 and 2010) and there was allegedly a suicide by fire of a young boy in the back garden many years ago, but the clients haven’t found any documents to confirm this.

Summary of Activity

  • The feeling of being watched
  • Footsteps
  • Apparition of a young boy
  • Before the great grandmother died, a visitation of a lady in white, another incident was her husband
  • Mild poltergeist activity
  • Unusual aromas (perfume, tobacco smoke)
  • Group apparitions of people wearing Victorian clothing
  • EVPs
  • Orbs
  • Shadow of feet under bedroom door
  • One of the clients had three claw marks on the chest
  • Disembodied voices heard without devices
  • Physical touch

These disturbances have been taking place throughout the whole house, the external garage and the backyard and get worse every now and then. The activity usually happens at night, and according to the clients it will usually choose a victim but some things happen to both clients. They have been able to capture EVP and possible ghost pictures. They have looked for ordinary, normal explanations but so far have had trouble debunking the flying kettle and the EVP of a female voice. They have also noticed unusual temperature changes, especially in the lounge room.

Investigation

Date: 13/08/2011
Time: approx. 8:00pm onwards
Moon Phase: Full Moon in Aquarius
Solar X-rays: Normal
Geomagnetic Field: Quiet
Investigators: Janine, Steve, Wayne & Gabriel

Steve’s Observations

An excellent investigation. All the team had personal experiences.

The young man living in the house had looked after an elderly relative who had died in the bedroom which was all but sealed off. The atmosphere in this room was electric. During the vigil Janine had direct responses to questions asked via emf meters placed on the deceased persons chair and on the bed.

I received information that told me the lady was diabetic but non compliant as she still ate cookies and chocolate. This was confirmed by the client. Gabriel also made several connections that were confirmed. An evp has also been captured in reply to a question from Janine.

The top of the garden was allegedly the scene of a burning suicide of a young man. The emf meters were repeatedly going off in the area and no amount of searching could find an alternative explanation for the readings.

Digital Camera, Video and Audio Recordings

After Steve reviewed his evidence he caught one EVP. After Janine says, “Do you know you are dead?”, there is a pause then a distant, “Yes”.

(The sound file to be added here.)

Outcome

Around the time of the investigation one of the clients had moved out of the home due to the paranormal disturbances. Three weeks later Steve sent a follow-up email and received the following reply:

Hi Steve,

The house is completely quiet now, (name) has moved back and is no longer afraid to be by himself. The sound of that EVP confirms what we got so we are more than happy.

Best Wishes
(name) & (name)