Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the journey into the history of the Eastland Disaster continues, sharing new findings and uncovering untold stories of those affected by the tragedy. A unique two-part approach to research combines rigorous historical investigation with intuitive connections to the past. This episode features the compelling stories of the Remy and Tismer families, who suffered hea...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome back to Flower in the River podcast! In episode 74, we're uncovering more hidden gems from the Eastland disaster, including a deep dive into one of the very first websites dedicated to this tragic event. Get ready for stories you won’t find anywhere else! Key Points: Explored personal time capsules, including Aunt Pearl's notes about our family's connection...

Send us Fan Mail Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of sensitive topics that may be distressing to some listeners. We cover historical events involving child abuse, exploitation, and trauma related to the aftermath of the Eastland disaster. The second half of the episode includes descriptions of violence against a minor. Listener discretion is advised. If you find these topics part...

Send us Fan Mail Explore the gripping tales of the survivors from the Eastland disaster! Episode 72 peels back the layers of history to reveal the human side of this tragic event. Journey with me as I retrace my great-aunt Martha’s final steps, experiencing eerie sensations and unexpected emotions along the way. You won’t believe what happened at the disaster site! Uncover the long-lost voices of...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode commemorating the 109th anniversary of the Eastland disaster, we're taking a moment to reflect on the stories and individuals covered since November 2023. It's been an incredible journey of discovery, preserving and sharing often-forgotten narratives. Exciting news to share: Tom Milton's letter and related items have found a new home at the N...

Send us Fan Mail Listener discretion advised: this episode has some graphic descriptions of death.  Welcome to the 70th episode of Flower in the River! Today, we're peeling back the layers of time to explore the chaotic history of early 20th century Cicero, Illinois, focusing on the behemoth known as Western Electric's Hawthorne Works. My journey begins with a fateful trip to Chicago in...

Send us Fan Mail What would you do if you narrowly missed a disaster that claimed hundreds of lives? In this episode of "Flower in the River Podcast," we uncover the riveting stories of Tom Milton and Dr. Willard Calvin Haynes, two unsung heroes forever linked by the 1915 Eastland disaster. First, we journey with Tom George Milton, a man who narrowly escaped the tragedy but led an advent...

Send us Fan Mail Trigger warning: there is a brief mention of suicide in this episode. Introduction Welcome back, and a special hello to all the new listeners! If you’re just joining us, think of this as jumping into the middle of an intriguing movie—I'll provide some context and encourage you to listen to previous episodes. Today's Topic: Arthur Loeb - The Audacious Con Artist In this e...

Send us Fan Mail In today's episode, we explore the unique and tragic case of  Chrissie McNeal Lauritzen  who survived the Eastland disaster but succumbed to long-term health issues years later. We discuss how her story, and others like hers, have been overlooked in the broader narrative of the disaster. We also talk about the surprising discoveries from DNA testing that reshaped my understan...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we commemorate the 120th anniversary of the General Slocum tragedy, which took place on June 15, 1904. We examine the profound impact this disaster had on families and communities, specifically focusing on the Haas family. The episode also explores the intriguing connection between historical tragedies and fictional narratives, using Jacqueline Winspear's Mai...

Send us Fan Mail This episode dives into the eerie connections between the Eastland Disaster and the General Slocum tragedy, two devastating events with striking historical parallels. Listen in for compelling stories of individuals touched by these disasters, their genealogical backgrounds, and personal narratives. Discover the profound impact on immigrant communities and the importance of keeping...

Send us Fan Mail What if moving away from one disaster only set you on a collision course with another? In This Episode-- Weather and Historical Parallels: Kick off the episode by discussing the recent rains and drawing a parallel to the infamous Johnstown Flood of 1889. This catastrophe reshaped the lives of many, including my own ancestors. Family History: Share the harrowing story of my second...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of "Flower in the River," I dive into the intricate history of the 1915 Eastland disaster, uncovering untold stories of bravery and legacy. Join me as I share new discoveries, reflect on historical research, and pay heartfelt tributes to the forgotten heroes of the tragedy. Highlights:   New Listener Inquiries:  Address common questions from new listeners...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 62 of Flower in the River Podcast. A gripping tale from the Bell Telephone News (August 1915)  The extraordinary heroism of Fred J. Lippert and George Spiegelhauer during the Eastland Disaster.  A heart-pounding account of their daring rescues and the obstacles they overcame The fascinating history of pulmotors: the cutting-edge resuscitation devices of the time...

Send us Fan Mail This episode discusses the contributions of women morticians by first focusing on one woman mortician's involvement in the Eastland Disaster.  Highlights.  An obituary from the Oak Leaves dated December 30, 1947, about Mrs. Catherine Wheeler Wyand, who ran an undertaking business in Chicago.  Catherine Wyand's background. The 1880 Cook County, Illinois census reveals tha...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore pivotal events in American labor history, focusing on the personal stories of three women who tragically lost their lives in the Eastland disaster, and how their stories intertwine with broader labor rights movements. Starting with the harrowing Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, we explore the conditions that led to significant labor ref...

Send us Fan Mail Introduction: Exploring the democratization of historical documentation through platforms like Reclaim the Records, WikiTree, GEDmatch, and Find a Grave. Reclaim the Records: Non-profit organization advocating for public access to historical documents.  Using legal means to unlock previously hidden archival records. Over 60 million records reclaimed so far. WikiTree: Collaborative...

Send us Fan Mail In  Episode 58 of Flower in the River Podcast, we explore more untold stories of the Eastland Disaster through the lives of two victims, Mary Helen Egan and Theodore Hallas, whose stories bring to life the diverse richness of early 20th-century Chicago. We'll explore their family backgrounds, their communities, and the historical context that shaped their short but impactful...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is a special one, dedicated in memory of my cousin "George," (not his real name) and intertwined with an exploration of genetic genealogy. Episode Highlights A Tribute to "George"   Sharing the story of my cousin George, set against the backdrop of the 1930s in a coal mining town in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. His life story reflects the resilience...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Episode 56 of Flower in the River Podcast, where we will explore the role of Fraternal Organizations in the wake of the Eastland Disaster.  Many victims of the Eastland disaster were members of various fraternal organizations Exploring the role these organizations played in the lives of working-class communities in early 20th century Chicago What are Fraternal Organizat...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 55 of Flower in the River Podcast, I share the remarkable discovery of a story about the Eastland Disaster found in an old periodical.  Today's Tale: The Power of PERSI reveals how attended a webinar led me to discover an eyewitness account of the Eastland Disaster. It was waiting inside the Periodical Source Index (PERSI)! This journey underscores the value of con...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I continue exploring the Jewish legacy of the 1915 Eastland Disaster in Chicago.  Insights from Jewish genealogy experts, Ellen Kowitt and Rhonda R. McClure, on the unique challenges and strategies for tracing Jewish ancestry, including navigating name variations, language barriers, and historical events like pogroms and the Holocaust.   The story of Eastland vict...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 53 of "Flower in the River Podcast," I explore: The impact of the 1915 Eastland disaster on Chicago's Jewish community  Theories on why relatively few Jewish passengers died in the disaster (due to it occurring on the Sabbath)  The miraculous survival story of 14-year-old Jacob Aaron Elin (later Jack Elin), who went on to co-found Topps Manufacturing Comp...

Send us Fan Mail Episode 52 Highlights:  Introduction and one-year anniversary of the Flower in the River podcast (52 episodes!). Jacqueline Winspear quote and discussion of the Maisie Dobbs series, highlighting themes of personal growth, historical context, resilience, and the complexity of human character. Setting the stage: the role of religious identity in early 20th century Chicago.  Introduc...

Send us Fan Mail Please join me on a profound journey as we continue to honor those who were forever changed by the Eastland Disaster of 1915.  Touching on the unexpected emotional bonds which the last episode ignited ( The Lutheran Legacy of the Eastland Disaster ), I share the personal significance of my own diverse heritage, which fuels my passion for going deeper into the histories that connec...