In this episode, we return to Chicago's Czech community and uncover something extraordinary: an original 1916 Czech-language publication that didn't just tell the story of the Eastland disaster—it preserved more than 100 photographs of Czech women, men and children who lost their lives during the Eastland Disaster.
Many of these photos haven't been seen since the article was published in 1916. You'll hear how finding this rare primary source adds depth, texture, and nuance to our understanding of the tragedy.
🌊 What's inside
Final thoughts:
There's a risk in assuming "the research is done." Spoiler alert: it isn’t.
Many aspects of the people of Eastland Disaster have barely been explored. This breakthrough reminds us that the research needs to continue. There's still so much to uncover, question, and restore.
📷 A living archive—one photo at a time
For many families, these uploads to Find a Grave may be the first public photo attached to their loved one's memorial. This work is ongoing, but it's already an incredible step toward restoring dignity, identity, and connection across generations.
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