Shows
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldEastland 1905: Burning Water, Missed WarningsSend us a textIn this episode, I explore a seldom documented incident involving the Eastland steamship from August 1905—ten years before the infamous Eastland Disaster of 1915. This forgotten event reveals important patterns in the ship's troubled history and adds crucial context to understanding the later tragedy.Episode Highlights:Rosemary Pietrzak's Passing: I begin with a tribute to Rosemary Pietrzyk, who passed away at 94. Rosemary was the first person I met who also lost family in the Eastland Disaster, and her insight that "They didn't die on the Eastland, but th...2025-03-1633 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldDisaster Dodger – One Woman’s Escape ArtistrySend us a textDeath came knocking three times—but Bertha Behrend Healy wasn't home.In this episode, I uncover the jaw-dropping story of a woman who narrowly escaped not one, not two, but THREE of America's deadliest disasters:The Johnstown Flood (1889) - A catastrophic dam collapse that killed 2,200+ people while Bertha's family fled to higher ground just in timeThe Iroquois Theatre Fire (1903) - 602 victims perished when Chicago's "fireproof" theatre became a deathtrap, but 11-year-old Bertha's mother kept her home that frigid nightThe Ea...2025-03-0132 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldFront Page Gold, Footnote Dilemma: The Eastland’s Mixed LegacySend us a textHey everyone! I'm excited to share some fascinating discoveries about how Chicago newspapers covered the Eastland disaster in 1915. This episode takes us behind the scenes at the Chicago Evening Post through the eyes of a publication called "The Scoop" - which was essentially a newspaper about newspapers!First, I want to welcome all my new listeners who mysteriously appeared this week. Not sure where you came from, but I'm grateful you're here!Key highlights from this episode:Deep dive into how the Chicago Evening Post handled the breaking...2024-11-1741 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldThe Chicago Shoemaker and the Jersey Transplants: Eastland's Unexpected TiesSend us a textIn 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 heartbreaking losses in the disaster. Correcting historical inaccuracies is crucial to honoring the memory of those who perished.Key Points:Research Approach: A methodical process of historical research...2024-08-1844 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldTime's Tide: Navigating 109 Years of Eastland StoriesSend us a textIn 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 Newberry Library. It's heartening to see these pieces of history being preserved for future generations.There's been a noticeable increase in detailed biographies on Find a Grave for Eastland victims. This collective effort to...2024-07-2150 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldSurvived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland DisasterSend us a textIn 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 understanding of my family's history, and the creative projects that have come from these revelations. **Key Topics Covered:****DNA Discoveries**: How a commercial DNA test led to a surprising connection with a G...2024-06-2231 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldFrom Tragedy to Transformation: The George Haas StorySend us a textIn 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 Maisie Dobbs series as a lens to understand how we process grief and uncover hidden histories. Key Points: Introduction: Marking the 120th anniversary of the General Slocum disaster and its historical significance.Comparison with Eastland Disaster: Rec...2024-06-1641 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldFrom Hoboken to Hawthorne: Martha Willig's Untold StorySend us a textWhat 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 great aunt, Julia Pfeiffer Rohr, and her miraculous escape during the Johnstown Flood. Her survival eventually led my family to relocate to Chicago, where another tragedy...2024-06-0131 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldThe Chronicler and the Rescuer: Unveiling Overlooked NarrativesSend us a textIn 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, clarifying my independent approach to the podcast and sharing how it evolved from my audiobook project. Personal Reflections: Reflect on the significance of fulf...2024-05-2640 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldSelfless Saviors: Two Extraordinary Rescuers in the Eastland DisasterSend us a textWelcome 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 overcameThe fascinating history of pulmotors: the cutting-edge resuscitation devices of the time Chicago: The beating heart of the telephone industry Discover the city's pivotal role in telephone equipment manufacturing Unraveling the intriguing connection between the Chicago Telephone Company and Wester...2024-05-1838 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldUndertaking Courage: Catherine Wyand's Eastland StorySend us a textThis 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 that Catherine and her husband John were living in Chicago, with John working as a blacksmith. Somewhere between 1880 and 1895, the Wyands entered the funeral business, with Catherine being the one of the few woman undertakers in Chicago at the time...2024-05-1136 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldThreads of Tragedy: The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the Eastland DisasterSend us a textIn 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 reforms and the push for safer workplaces.In This Episode:The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire: I explore this catastrophic event where poor working conditions led to over a...2024-05-0432 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldCrowdsourcing the Past: The Eastland Tragedy and Collaborative GenealogySend us a textIntroduction: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 genealogy platform where users contribute to a unified family tree.Showcases the power of shared knowledge over traditional gatekeeping in family history.GEDmatch:Originally a hobbyist tool for genealogists to s...2024-04-2729 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldIrish Roots and Greek Tides: More Eastland StoriesSend us a textIn 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 lives.Mary Helen Egan's Story Introduction to Mary, her family background in Chicago's Irish Catholic community Discussion on her family’s life in Chicago, their struggles, and societal contributionsCal...2024-04-2140 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldBloodlines and Bylines: The Power of Genetic GenealogySend us a textToday’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" 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 and challenges of our family during those tough times.Genetic Genealogy Deep Dive: Recounting my journey into the world of genetic genealogy, beginning with my f...2024-04-1331 min
Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldBonded in Tragedy: The Role of Fraternal Orders in the Eastland DisasterSend us a textWelcome 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 organizationsExploring the role these organizations played in the lives of working-class communities in early 20th century ChicagoWhat are Fraternal Organizations?Groups of individuals who come together based on shared interests, beliefs, or backgroundsAim to provide mutual support, engage in charitable activities, and foster a sense of communityExamples: Freemasons, Independent O...2024-04-0744 min