Archives Unveiled: The Eastland Disaster's Hidden Stories

Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

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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 continuous learning and the rich resources available for genealogical research, such as the Allen County Public Library.

Highlight from the Archives: The insightful article from the Concordia Historical Institute sheds light on the impact of the Eastland Disaster on Grace Lutheran Church (Chicago) and its members. The piece, written by Reverend Gotthold G. Elbert, details the community's grief and resilience in the face of unspeakable loss.

We explore the stories of families like the Lemkes, who suffered greatly, and the acts of heroism of young William Haffer that emerged from the tragedy. These narratives remind us of the importance of community support and the strength found during times of crisis.

Looking Ahead: The episode also sets the stage for future explorations into other individuals and families affected by the disaster, promising more intriguing discoveries and stories to share.
Postscript: Listener responses to the recent episodes on the exploration of the Jewish legacy of the Eastland disaster have been overwhelmingly positive. For that, I am immensely grateful. It's vital to honor all communities affected by this tragedy, reflecting on their faith and contributions to the fabric of early 20th-century Chicago.

Acknowledgments: A heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Concordia Historical Institute, the Allen County Public Library, and all the librarians and researchers who assist in uncovering these hidden histories. Their dedication to preserving the past is invaluable.
Links:

• Allen County Public Library
• Concordia Historical Institute

Music:

• Artlist

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• LinkTree: @zettnatalie | Linktree
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-z-87092b15/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zettnatalie/
• YouTube: Flower in the River - A Family Tale Finally Told - YouTube
• Medium: Natalie Zett – Medium
• The opening/closing song is Twilight by 8opus
• Other music. Artlist

Kapitel

1. Archives Unveiled: The Eastland Disaster's Hidden Stories (00:00:00)

2. Discovering the Eastland Disaster Witnesses (00:00:07)

3. How a PERSI webinar yielded a Eastland story (00:02:30)

4. Allen County Public Library - Genealogy Wonderland (00:05:31)

5. Locating a long-lost Eastland Disaster account (00:06:43)

6. Rev. Gotthold G. Elbert remembers the Eastland (00:12:55)

7. How did they cope? (00:25:12)