Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told
"Flower in the River" podcast, inspired by my book of the same name, explores the 1915 Eastland Disaster in Chicago and its enduring impact, particularly on my family's history. We'll explore the intertwining narratives of others impacted by this tragedy as well, and we'll dive into writing and genealogy and uncover the surprising supernatural elements that surface in family history research. Come along with me on this journey of discovery.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 35 minutes
- Episodes
- 131
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
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 b…
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 exp…
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 D…
Arthur Loeb: The Fake Hero of Real Tragedies
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…
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 disc…
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 …
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 comp…
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 r…
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 discov…
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 duri…
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 Leave…
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 th…
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 or…
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 stori…
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 Highlights
- A Tribute to …
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 disast…
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 reveal…
Sassiness Saved Her: A Jewish Girl's Narrow Escape from the Eastland
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 uniq…
Unearthing the Untold: Jewish Lives and the Eastland Tragedy
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…
Sons of Norway, Daughters of Tragedy: The Iverson Family's Eastland Story
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, highl…