How did mediumship start?
Psychic predictions and phenomena can be traced back throughout history, but the first professional mediums date back to 1848. The Fox family of Hydesville, New York, were visited by friendly spirits eager to prove life continued even after death. The two daughters realizing a talent for this communication, hired a hall to demonstrate their abilities. The sisters also traveled to further demonstrate their unique talents and before long similar groups sprang up across the country. This was probably the beginning of the Spiritualist movement which has become so popular today. During the 1850`s a new ambassador arose in the form of Emma Hardinge Britten, who was born in England, but moved to America to work. Emma became famous as a trance medium (see medium skills). She toured America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand spreading the word. But mediums of this era were subjected to ridicule and persecution from both the Church and other skeptics. The first medium to operate in Britain was a
