This is a mixture of two stories. One's my mothers, the other is my own.
My great grandfather died when my mother was eight years old. Shortly before him my great grandmother died as well. For forty years from the time he woke up to the time he went to bed, he would rock in his rocking chair. He also had a bladder pouch, which he despised and tried to get rid of in so many ways.
The night after my great grandfather died my mom and aunt had spent the night at the house. During the night they heard creaking. Walking out into the living room they saw the rocking chair slowly moving back and forth, as if he was sitting there doing it again and again and again. Now, my great grandfather apparently was a joker. He loved to hide things from people including his bladder pouch mind you. From about the time I was probably eight or nine he has been messing with me knocking over the top of my hamper when it was firmly secured, to taking my things and returning them hours, days, or weeks later. I don't know why but he picks on me and my mom the most. Sometimes it'll be my wallet that'll get stolen or my keys.
Once when my mother used to have a roommate, things would go missing. A hairbrush would disappear and then reappear in the silverware drawer. A ring of ponytail holders would mysteriously disappear and find its way into the crisper in the fridge.
So, is it possible for a spirit to start out residual and end up an intelligent being?