Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

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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-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 contributions

Calvary Cemetery Spotlight:**

•   Historical significance of Calvary Cemetery in Evanston, IL - Mary's resting place

Theodore Hallas' Story

•   Introduction to Theodore, a Greek immigrant
•   Exploration of the vibrant Greek community in Chicago's Greektown
•   The impact of Greek culture and immigration on Chicago

Elmwood Cemetery Spotlight

•   Significance of Elmwood Cemetery--Theodore Hallas' resting place-- and the Greek community in Chicago
•   Excerpt from "Graveyards of Chicago: The People, History, Art, and Lore of Cook County Cemeteries," by Hucke and Bielski

Music

• Artlist and Wikimedia Commons

Links

• GREEKS: HALSTED STREET | Maxwell and Halsted (uic.edu)
• Former Saint Mels Catholic Church Chicago | 4301 West Washin… | Flickr
• Interview with Micheal Davros on the Greek community in Chicago
• Graveyards of Chicago: The People, History, Art, and Lore of Cook County Cemeteries

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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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 "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 first DNA test in 2016, which unveiled a host of unknown relatives and led to surprising discoveries about our lineage.
•  Mystery solved. Questions remain:  Identifying George’s biological father.
• The Power and Responsibility of Genealogy: Exploring one's heritage carries both profound insights and inherent responsibilities.

Key Insights:

• Resilience in Adversity: My family's strength and defiance during the Great Depression, despite severe societal judgments and personal losses, highlight a persistent theme of tenacity in our history
• The Science of Connection:  Genetic genealogy not only connects us with our past but, in my case, rekindled a love for science.
• Emotional Journeys: Uncovering one’s ancestry--anyone's ancestry-- is an emotional odyssey, often leading to transformative revelations that reshape personal identities. Yet, sometimes it yields more questions than answers.

Further reading:

• The Lost Family: How DNA Testing Is Upending Who We Are by Libby Copeland
• The Stranger in My Genes: A Memoir by Bill Griffeth

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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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 fraternal organizations
• Exploring the role these organizations played in the lives of working-class communities in early 20th century Chicago

What are Fraternal Organizations?

• Groups of individuals who come together based on shared interests, beliefs, or backgrounds
• Aim to provide mutual support, engage in charitable activities, and foster a sense of community
• Examples: Freemasons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, Rotary International

Fraternal Organizations in Early 20th Century Chicago:

•  Provided power and advancement opportunities in the workplace
• Allowed working-class individuals to build cross-class networks
• Defined a collective identity rooted in gender and race while sidelining class distinctions
• Fostered community and solidarity but also represented a division in American class politics

Conclusion:

•  The intersections of faith, fraternity, and community in early 20th century Chicago were nuanced
• Researching ancestors' involvement in fraternal organizations can provide insight into how these groups influenced their lives

Links:

• Fraternal Orders and Class Formation in the Nineteenth-Century United States
• Secret Signs: How to Find Ancestors in Fraternal Societies by  Rhonda R. McClure
• Encyclopedia of Chicago

Music:
Artlist

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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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/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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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 unique challenges and strategies for tracing Jewish ancestry, including navigating name variations, language barriers, and historical events like pogroms and the Holocaust.  
• The story of Eastland victim Sam Widran , a 29-year-old Western Electric auditor, and the tragic losses endured by his Jewish immigrant family from Hungary.  
• Details about 24-year-old Celia Brooks (aka Rooks/Rook/Borak) Colombik, who died in the disaster, leaving behind her husband Frank, a Western Electric employee, her brothers and their families--Jewish immigrants from the Russian Empire.  
• A moving 1915 newspaper account of Frank Colombik's grief upon identifying his wife Celia's body in the Second Regiment Armory morgue.  
• Selections from a 1974 memoir of Celia's niece Ruth Naiditch (shared in a 2000 article). Ruth shared how she narrowly avoided the Eastland disaster at age 11 because her "bratty" behavior led her uncle to exclude her from the trip. 
• I emphasize the importance of recording older relatives' stories for family history and express gratitude for the opportunity to share these stories from Chicago's Jewish community. 
• I hope listeners will watch the linked videos on Jewish genealogy for a deeper understanding of the complexities involved.

Links

• Waldheim Cemetery Co.
• JGSI Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois - Waldheim Cemetery
• Encyclopedia of Chicago (chicagohistory.org)
• Basics of Jewish American Genealogy 
• RootsTech 2023 | Getting Started in Jewish Genealogy
• Jewish Gen

Music:

• Artlist

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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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 the disaster (due to it occurring on the Sabbath)
•  The miraculous survival story of 14-year-old Jacob Aaron Elin (later Jack Elin), who went on to co-found Topps Manufacturing Company, Rochester, Indiana.
• Jack Elin’s family background, immigrating from the Russian Empire's Pale of Settlement in the late 1800s.
• The life and death of 24-year-old Eastland victim Carl Friedman, an electrician at Western Electric.
• Details on Carl Friedman's family and their immigration from Hungary, plus an analysis of the Hebrew, Yiddish and Hungarian inscriptions on his headstone

I  share background on:

• The history of Jewish immigration to Chicago starting in the 1840s 
•  The Pale of Settlement region where many Jewish immigrants originated.
• The Yiddish language 

This episode is dedicated to:

• Singer, Donna Loren, as well as 
• My unknown Jewish ancestor, 
• The helpful members of the Jewish Genealogy Portal on Facebook.

 Further explorations of Jewish genealogy, burial practices and naming conventions are planned for the next episode.

Links:

• Waldheim Cemetery Co.
• JGSI Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois - Waldheim Cemetery
• Encyclopedia of Chicago (chicagohistory.org)
• Basics of Jewish American Genealogy 
• RootsTech 2023 | Getting Started in Jewish Genealogy

Music:

• Artlist
• Wikimedia Commons

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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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, highlighting themes of personal growth, historical context, resilience, and the complexity of human character.
• Setting the stage: the role of religious identity in early 20th century Chicago.
•  Introducing the Norwegian Lutheran communities in Chicago.
• Meet the Iverson family and the stories of two sisters who died in the Eastland Disaster: Mabel Iverson Gibson and Louise Iverson Theil.
• I also share my own connections with the Norwegian community that were forged over lutefisk, green Jello and being involuntarily signed up for a Sons of Norway membership!
• Preview of the next episode focusing on Jewish communities affected by the Eastland Disaster.

Links:

• What Would Maise Do? by Jacqueline Winspear
• Encyclopedia of Chicago
• Hauges Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church
• Mabel Iverson Gibson memorial page
• Louise Iverson Theil memorial page

Music:

• Berceuse by Christian Cappelen (Wikimedia Commons)
• Artlist (all other music)

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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Please join me on a profound journey as we continue to honor those who were forever changed by the Eastland Disaster of 1915. 

Touching on the unexpected emotional bonds which the last episode ignited (The Lutheran Legacy of the Eastland Disaster), I share the personal significance of my own diverse heritage, which fuels my passion for going deeper into the histories that connect us all.

Frieda Kannberg died at age 39 while aboard the Eastland. Yet, her life becomes a beacon--guiding us through the social fabric of her time. Crucial to our understanding are the Western Electric Company News articles and other historical documents that bring to life the Hawthorne Club's activities and the impact of the disaster on its members. Remembering Frieda and her fellow committee members underscores the importance of preserving individual narratives within the broader context of historical events. These accounts form a bridge between the past and the emotional resonance felt in our communities today.

We also step into the lives of the Kannberg family, whose story is inextricably linked with immigration and with Chicago's industrial boom. Employing the FAN (Family (I've also heard, Friends), Associates, Neighbors) Club principle, I piece together their saga through a paper trail of newspaper clippings, census records and cemetery records, highlighting the enduring importance of community ties. And as a bonus, I've unearthed a historical gem from the Internet Archive—a Hawthorne Club document rich with details of a bygone era. Tune in for an episode that promises to be as enlightening as it is enthralling.

Music:

• Artlist

Link:

• Western Electric - The Hawthorne Club

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

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Introduction: In episode 50, I uncover the stories and lasting legacy of the German Lutheran communities in Chicago, profoundly affected by the Eastland Disaster of 1915, exploring their resilience and the event's historical significance.

Key Points:

• Lutheran Community’s Role: Highlighting how Lutheran churches served as pivotal social and spiritual support systems for immigrant communities in Chicago.
• Understanding Ancestors: Discussing the importance of the “FAN club principle” in comprehending the complex lives of our ancestors.
• Personal Connection: Sharing bits and pieces from my Lutheran background.
• Exploring History: Exploring how the disaster affected Chicago’s Lutheran community, focusing on personal stories and what's left behind.
• Genealogy Tips: Offering insights into the value of Lutheran church records for family history research and recommending genealogical resources.
• Stories of Impact: Featuring narratives of two families—The Wiese-Rakow Family and the Rossow Family—affected by the disaster to illustrate the tragedy’s personal and communal impact.

Conclusion: Reflecting on the memory of the Eastland disaster victims and inviting listeners to explore more in future episodes and at the RootsTech event coming up on February 29, 2024.

Music

• Artlist
• Wikimedia Commons

Links

• Chicago Ancestors
• Lutheranism 101 - Living Lutheran
• Chicago Lutheran Churches by James Huenink
• United States Church Records • FamilySearch
• Golgotha Evangelical Lutheran Church Facebook page
• Encyclopedia of Chicago
• How to Find Your Family History in U.S. Church Records: A Genealogist's Guide 
• RootsTech 2024

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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

Send us Fan Mail

Key Highlights of Episode 49:

• Eastland News Update: An intriguing update from a relative of coroner Peter Hoffman.
• RootsTech 2024: The upcoming world's largest genealogy conference is right around the corner.
• Genealogy as a Swiss Army Knife: Explore the multifaceted tools of genealogy, from DNA analysis to historical research, and how they've helped me piece together my family's past.
• Deep Dive into Oak Park: I share stories from Oak Park, Illinois, and its connection to the Eastland disaster.
• A Look at Forest Park, Illinois: I explore the unique history and vibe of Forest Park, including its large cemeteries and connection to the Eastland disaster.
• Highlighting Individual Stories: This episode features the tragic tales of  Earl Dawson, Matthew Bonga, and Gertrude Stork whose lives were cut short by the disaster.
• What do the Ziegfeld Follies and the  Florodora Girls have to do with the Eastland Disaster? You'll have to tune in! 

Music:

• Artlist

Links:

• RootsTech 2024
• The Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest
• The Historical Society of Forest Park

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.com/
• Substack: https://nataliezett.substack.com/
• 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