Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told
Flower in the River is about the Eastland Disaster of 1915 and how the loss of one family member during that event affected my family for generations. I'll discuss writing and family history-- and what to do when the supernatural comes into your life when you are innocently doing a family history research project! Come on and let's have some fun.
Episodes
79 episodes since 2022
Badge-Worthy Bravery and the Journalist Who Missed the Boat
What if a single event could forever change the fate of countless families and a whole city? Join us this week as we unravel the untold stories of the 1915 Eastland disaster, starting with Ann Smith's riveting family history. Ann shares the val...
September 15, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 79
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44:55
Storytellers of the Eastland: From Tombstones to Trumpets
In episode 78 of Flower in the River podcast, I explore the power of storytelling through two distinct voices connected to the Eastland disaster. First, I introduce you to Jennifer from the Instagram page Posts in the Gra...
September 07, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 78
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31:15
Pencils, Presses, and Persistence: The Eastland's News Heroes
Join me on a thrilling journey through time as we uncover the hidden world of early 20th-century journalism during one of Chicago's darkest hours--the Eastland Disaster of 1915.Highlights:My personal pilgrimage to a fa...
August 31, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 77
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44:36
Raw Knuckles, Bare Feet: Eastland's Unlikely Heroes
Welcome back to Flower in the River! In this episode, we explore the untold stories of two extraordinary individuals connected to the tragic Eastland Disaster of 1915. These heroes, whose tales have remained largely hidden from history...
August 23, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 76
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48:34
The Chicago Shoemaker and the Jersey Transplants: Eastland's Unexpected Ties
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 investiga...
August 17, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 75
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44:21
From Web to River: Tracing Eastland's Digital Footprints
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 ...
August 10, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 74
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33:12
Unraveling the Threads: Capone, Cons, and a Child's Survival
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. T...
August 03, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 73
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38:07
From Silence to Testimony: Eastland Survivors Speak Out
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, experienci...
July 28, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 72
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49:49
Time's Tide: Navigating 109 Years of Eastland Stories
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 shar...
July 20, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 71
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50:05
From Hawthorne Works to Heartbreak: Legacy of Loss
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...
July 14, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 70
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43:53
The Actor and the Doctor: Converging Lives Post-Eastland
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 ...
July 05, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 69
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40:12
Arthur Loeb: The Fake Hero of Real Tragedies
Trigger warning: there is a brief mention of suicide in this episode. IntroductionWelcome 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...
June 29, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 68
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1:07:18
Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster
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 bee...
June 22, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 67
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31:53
From Tragedy to Transformation: The George Haas Story
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 ...
June 16, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 66
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41:12
Rivers of Grief: Eastland and the General Slocum
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, t...
June 08, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 65
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35:55
From Hoboken to Hawthorne: Martha Willig's Untold Story
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 t...
June 01, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 64
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31:16
The Chronicler and the Rescuer: Unveiling Overlooked Narratives
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 tr...
May 26, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 63
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40:02
Selfless Saviors: Two Extraordinary Rescuers in the Eastland Disaster
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 Disas...
May 17, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 62
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38:31
Undertaking Courage: Catherine Wyand's Eastland Story
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,...
May 11, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 61
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36:10
Threads of Tragedy: The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the Eastland Disaster
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....
May 04, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 60
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32:53
Crowdsourcing the Past: The Eastland Tragedy and Collaborative Genealogy
Introduction:Exploring the democratization of historical documentation through platforms like Reclaim the Records, WikiTree, GEDmatch, and Find a Grave.Reclaim the Records:Non-profit organizati...
April 27, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 59
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29:50
Irish Roots and Greek Tides: More Eastland Stories
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-ce...
April 20, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 58
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40:53
Bloodlines and Bylines: The Power of Genetic Genealogy
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 HighlightsA Tribute to "George" Shari...
April 13, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 57
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31:24
Bonded in Tragedy: The Role of Fraternal Orders in the Eastland Disaster
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...
April 06, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 56
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44:09
Archives Unveiled: The Eastland Disaster's Hidden Stories
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 t...
March 30, 2024
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Season 2
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Episode 55
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34:12