There are children who seem to be re-born into new families, while remembering specific and verifiable things about their former lives. It may be coincidence, or imagination, but some of their stories will curl your hair! In this hour of To the Best of Our Knowledge, a search for glimpses of The Sweet Hereafter. Also, one woman's quest to contact her dead lover, and the trials and tribulations of a novice ghost.

Boston College theologian Thomas Groome tells Steve Paulson that, according to the Catholic Church, Hell is not an actual, fiery place. It's a state of eternal alienation and isolation resulting from our own moral choices. Heaven's had a make-over, too. Don't expect to spend Eternity singing on a cloud with the Cherubs. Groome is the author of "Educating for Life: A Spiritual Vision for Every Teacher and Parent." Also, Colin Thubron journeyed around Siberia for his book "In Siberia." He tells Jim Fleming why Siberians are drawn to the old Orthodox religion, and recalls his visit with an old man who may be Siberia's last remaining shaman.

Writer Mary Allen talks with Steve Paulson about her attempts to communicate with the spirit of the man she loved after his suicide. Her experiments with automatic writing eventually put her in a psych ward. She's recovered but can't accept that her experiences were solely the result of her mental illness. Allen's book is "The Rooms of Heaven." Also, novelist Abby Frucht talks with Judith Strasser about her latest, "Polly's Ghost." Polly, the narrator, is learning how to be a ghost. Frucht doesn't necessarily believe she's written a true story, but thinks there's more mystery in the world than we like to admit.

Journalist and editor Tom Shroder is the author of "Old Souls: The Scientific Evidence for Past Lives." He tells Jim Fleming about the remarkable cases he's investigated of children who insist they belong to a family other than the one they were born into. These children make statements about their past lives that can be independently verified. We hear about cases in Lebanon and Virginia. Spooky stuff!

Distribution dates:

• week of 09/09/2001 - hour 1
• week of 04/16/2000 - hour 1