Resurrection Mary is one of Chicago‘s most famous ghosts.
And, having been featured on paranormal shows like Unsolved Mysteries, In Search Of, and Arthur C. Clarke’s World of Strange Powers, she might just be the most famous Vanishing Hitchhiker in the world.
For decades, people fascinated with the story have been trying to answer the question: Who was she?
And, over the years, a number of “candidates” have been put forth.
Anna Marija Norkus was just 12 years old when she was killed in an automobile accident on her way home from a night of dancing at the Oh Henry Ballroom on Archer Avenue in July of 1927.
That part of her story certainly fits well within the traditional Resurrection Mary lore.
And, the only known photograph of Anna shows a girl that looks like she could be the young woman that people who’ve encountered Resurrection Mary have described.
But, when we dig deeper, do the details of Anna Marija Norkus’s story really fit the Resurrection Mary legend as well as they seem to on the surface?
Photo and Article: Ona “Anna” Marija Norkus, 1914-1927 (Source: FindAGrave.com)
Our Other Podcasts in this Series
- Resurrection Mary, Part 1: Mary Miskowski (Patreon Exclusive)
- Resurrection Mary, Part 2: Mary Bregovy
- Resurrection Mary, Part 4: Mary Kovac
Suggested Reading
- Chicago Haunts: Ghostlore of the Windy City by Ursula Bielski
Other Suggested Podcasts on This Story
- Ep 102: Resurrection Mary Part 1 by Astonishing Legends
- Ep 103: Resurrection Mary Part 2 by Astonishing Legends
- Ep 104: Resurrection Mary Part 3 by Astonishing Legends
- Ep 105: Resurrection Mary Part 4 by Astonishing Legends
- Resurrection Mary Roundtable by Chicago Unbelievable
Additional Resources
- Marija: The half-life of Resurrection Mary by Ursula Bielski at GhostVillage.com
- Ona Marija “Anna” Norkus (1914-1927) at FindAGrave.com
- Resurrection Mary: Anna Norkus? by Adam Selzer at Mysterious Chicago