Ghostlore

Ghostlore, Ghost-Lore, or Ghost Lore is a folklore genre consisting of the folklore of ghosts. Ghostlore occurs throughout recorded history, including contemporary contexts. For example, American folklorist Louis C. Jones observes the following in 1944:

Ghostlore is still widespread and popular. While most of the actions thought to be common among ghosts (chain clanking, cemetery haunting, and so forth) can be found, they are by no means so widespread in the popular ghostlore as we have been led to expect. The ghost who is very like the living is far more common than any other. ... It might be expected that a rational age of science would destroy belief in the ability of the dead to return. I think it works the other way: in an age of scientific miracles anything seems possible.

References

• Louis C., Jones. 1944. "The Ghosts of New York: An Analytical Study" in The Journal of American Folklore. Vol. 57, No. 226 (Oct. - Dec., 1944), pp. 237-254. American Folklore Society.