Best Irish Family Research Podcasts (2024)

1
Threads of Tragedy: The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire and the Eastland Disaster 32:53

12h ago32:53

32:53

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 their stories intertwine with broader labor rights movements. Starting with the harrowing Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, we explore the conditions …

1
Exclusion, resilience and the Chinese American experience on 'Mott Street' 31:02

1d ago31:02

31:02

This week on the podcast, we're revisiting a conversation we had with Chin about her book, Mott Street. Through decades of painstaking research, the fifth-generation New Yorker discovered the stories of how her ancestors bore and resisted the weight of the Chinese Exclusion laws in the U.S. – and how the legacy of that history still affects her fam…

1
Crowdsourcing the Past: The Eastland Tragedy and Collaborative Genealogy 29:50

5d ago29:50

29:50

Introduction: 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 Reclaim the Records: Non-profit organization advocating for public access to historical documents.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…

1
How Jewish Communities Are Divided Over Support of Israel 41:02

8d ago41:02

41:02

In the wake of October 7, and the bombardment of Gaza by the Israeli government, many American Jews have found themselves questioning something that had long felt like a given: that if you were Jewish, you would support Israel, and that was that. But as more Jews speak out against Israel's actions in Gaza, it's exposing deep rifts within Jewish com…

1
Irish Roots and Greek Tides: More Eastland Stories 40:53

12d ago40:53

40:53

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…

1
The Rise and Fall of the Panama Canal 32:06

15d ago32:06

32:06

The Panama Canal has been dubbed the greatest engineering feat in human history. It's also (perhaps less favorably) been called the greatest liberty mankind has ever taken with Mother Nature. But due to climate change, the Canal is drying up and fewer than half of the ships that used to pass through are now able to do so. So how did we get here? To…

1
Bloodlines and Bylines: The Power of Genetic Genealogy 31:24

19d ago31:24

31:24

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…

1
Reflecting on the legacy of O.J. Simpson 17:03

20d ago17:03

17:03

With the news of O.J. Simpson's death on Thursday, we're revisiting our reporting from 2016, where we took a look into how Simpson went from being "too famous to be Black," to becoming a stand-in for the way Black people writ-large were mistreated by the U.S. carceral system. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NP…

1
How Frederick Douglass launched generations of Black and Irish solidarity 31:57

22d ago31:57

31:57

What's a portrait of Frederick Douglass doing hanging in an Irish-themed pub in Washington, D.C.? To get to the answer, Parker and Gene dive deep into the long history of solidarity and exchange between Black civil rights leaders and Irish republican activists, starting with Frederick Douglass' visit to Ireland in 1845. Learn more about sponsor mes…

1
Bonded in Tragedy: The Role of Fraternal Orders in the Eastland Disaster 44:09

26d ago44:09

44:09

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 Chic…

1
WTF does race have to do with taxes? 30:14

29d ago30:14

30:14

It's that time of year again: time to file your taxes. And this week on the pod, we're revisiting our conversation with Dorothy A. Brown, a tax expert and author of The Whiteness Of Wealth: How The Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans And How To Fix It. She talks through the racial landmines in our tax code and how your race plays a big role in …

1
Archives Unveiled: The Eastland Disaster's Hidden Stories 34:12

1M ago34:12

34:12

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 u…

1
Who does language belong to? A fight over the Lakota Language 39:13

1M ago39:13

39:13

Many Lakota people agree: It's imperative to revitalize the Lakota language. But how exactly to do that is a matter of broader debate. Should Lakota be codified and standardized to make learning it easier? Or should the language stay as it always has been, defined by many different ways of writing and speaking? We explore this complex, multi-genera…

1
Sassiness Saved Her: A Jewish Girl's Narrow Escape from the Eastland 31:40

1M ago31:40

31:40

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 Holocau…

1
Getting let down by the 'Great Expectations' of electoral politics 17:43

1M ago17:43

17:43

This episode is brought to you by our play cousins over at NPR's It's Been A Minute. Brittany Luse chops it up with New Yorker writer and podcast host Vinson Cunningham to discuss his debut novel Great Expectations. It's a period piece that follows the story of a young man working on an election campaign that echoes Obama's 2008 run. Brittany and V…

1
#24 Scríbhneoirí na Gaelainne Nua - A Conversation with Éilis Neary 1:12:03

1M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

To learn more and for all show notes go to - https://thelanguagequestion.com/episode-24-scribhneoiri-na-gaelainne-nua-a-conversation-with-eilis-neary/By Finghin Mac Cárthaigh - Flor McCarthy

1
Unearthing the Untold: Jewish Lives and the Eastland Tragedy 37:31

2M ago37:31

37:31

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 Ma…

1
In the world of medicine, race-based diagnoses are more than skin deep 33:32

2M ago33:32

33:32

We've probably said it a hundred times on Code Switch — biological race is not a real thing. So why is race still used to help diagnose certain conditions, like keloids or cystic fibrosis? On this episode, Dr. Andrea Deyrup breaks it down for us, and unpacks the problems she sees with practicing race-based medicine. Learn more about sponsor message…

1
Sons of Norway, Daughters of Tragedy: The Iverson Family's Eastland Story 35:46

2M ago35:46

35:46

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…

1
This conspiracy theory about eating bugs is also about race 32:50

2M ago32:50

32:50

Gene Demby and NPR's Huo Jingnan dive into a conspiracy theory about how "global elites" are forcing people to eat bugs. And no huge surprise — the theory's popularity is largely about its loudest proponents' racist fear-mongering. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy…

1
Frieda Kannberg's Story and the Legacy of the Eastland 47:24

2M ago47:24

47:24

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 …

1
The musical legacy of Japanese American incarceration 30:21

2M ago30:21

30:21

In February of 1942 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government issued an executive order to incarcerate people of Japanese descent. That legacy has become a defining story of Japanese American identity. In this episode, B.A. Parker and producer Jess Kung explore how Japanese American musicians across generations turn to that story as a …

1
#23 The Power of Individual Action - A Conversation with Derek Hollingsworth 1:11:33

2M ago1:11:33

1:11:33

To learn more and for all show notes go to - https://thelanguagequestion.com/episode-23-the-power-of-individual-action-a-conversation-with-derek-hollingsworth/By Finghin Mac Cárthaigh - Flor McCarthy

1
The Lutheran Legacy of the Eastland Disaster 42:39

2M ago42:39

42:39

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 spiritua…

1
Why menthol cigarettes have a chokehold on Black smokers 35:29

2M ago35:29

35:29

In the U.S., flavored cigarettes have been banned since 2009, with one glaring exception: menthols. That exception was supposed to go away in 2023, but the Biden administration quietly delayed the ban on menthols. Why? Well, an estimated 85 percent of Black smokers smoke menthols — and some (potentially suspect) polls have indicated that a ban on m…

1
Leafing Through History: Oak Park, Forest Park, and the Eastland 43:27

3M ago43:27

43:27

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 helpe…

1
Before the apps, people used newspapers to find love 37:48

3M ago37:48

37:48

To celebrate the history of Black romance, Gene and Parker are joined by reporter Nichole Hill to explore the 1937 equivalent of dating apps — the personals section of one of D.C.'s Black newspapers. Parker attempts to match with a Depression-era bachelor, and along the way we learn about what love meant two generations removed from slavery. Learn …

1
#22 An Calafóirneach Gaelach - A Conversation with Séathrún Sardina 1:07:27

3M ago1:07:27

1:07:27

To learn more and for all show notes go to - https://thelanguagequestion.com/episode-22-an-calafoirneach-gaelach-a-conversation-with-seathrun-sardinaBy Finghin Mac Cárthaigh - Flor McCarthy

1
From the Mayflower to the Sketchpad: Unveiling More Eastland Connections 41:06

3M ago41:06

41:06

Welcome back to "Flower in the River," where every episode is a journey through forgotten stories and hidden histories. In episode 48, I explore some unlikely and poignant connections to the Eastland Disaster. The Eastland Disaster Unveiled: Learn about one of the most heart-wrenching tragedies in Chicago's history, where a crowded ship capsized in…

1
How college footballers led the fight against racism in 1969 32:30

3M ago32:30

32:30

It's 1969 at the University of Wyoming, where college football is treated like a second religion. But after racist treatment at an away game, 14 Black players decide to take a stand, and are hit with life-changing consequences. From our play cousins across the pond, our own B.A. Parker hosts the BBC World Service's Amazing Sport Stories: The Black …

1
What it's like to be a Black woman with bipolar disorder 29:18

3M ago29:18

29:18

"Three springs ago, I lost the better part of my mind," Naomi Jackson wrote in an essay for Harper's Magazine. On this episode, Jackson shares her experience with biopolar disorder. She talks about how she's had to decipher what fears stem from her illness and which are backed by the history of racism. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podc…

1
Coroner's Conundrum: Pete Hoffman & The Eastland Disaster 33:36

3M ago33:36

33:36

Welcome to Flower in the River Podcast, Episode 47: Coroner's Conundrum: Pete Hoffman & The Eastland Disaster In this episode, we explore more coincidences that intriguingly knit together the fabric of our stories and histories. Join me as we uncover the unexpected intersections of past and present, proving that history is not just around us but oc…

1
Taylor Swift and the unbearable whiteness of girlhood 35:22

3M ago35:22

35:22

Taylor Swift has become an American icon, (and she's got the awards, sales, and accolades to prove it.) With that status, she's often been celebrated as someone whose music is authentically representing the interior lives of young women and adolescent girls. On this episode, we're asking: Why? What is it about Swift's persona — and her fandom — tha…

1
#21 Banríon an Ghrinn - A Conversation with Áine Gallagher 1:13:05

3M ago1:13:05

1:13:05

To learn more and for all show notes go to - https://thelanguagequestion.com/episode-21-banrion-an-ghrinn-a-conversation-with-aine-gallagherBy Finghin Mac Cárthaigh - Flor McCarthy

1
A former church girl's search for a new spiritual home 49:01

3M ago49:01

49:01

After leaving the Pentecostal Church, reporter Jess Alvarenga has been searching for a new spiritual home. They take us on their journey to find spirituality that includes the dining room dungeon of a dominatrix, Buddhist monks taking magic mushrooms and the pulpit of a Pentecostal church. This episode is a collaboration with our friends at LAist S…

1
A Switchboard Operator and a Nurse Walk Into a Shipwreck: Unraveling the Eastland Disaster 42:28

3M ago42:28

42:28

Welcome to Episode 46 of Flower in the River Podcast -- "A Switchboard Operator and a Nurse Walk Into a Shipwreck: Unraveling the Eastland Disaster." News from the Newberry! Photographs, postcards, death records and other materials related to the 1915 tragedy were donated by the Eastland Disaster Historical Society to the Newberry Library (Chicago)…

1
What happens when public housing goes private? 40:21

3M ago40:21

40:21

The New York City Housing Authority is the biggest public housing program in the country. But with limited funding to address billions of dollars of outstanding repairs, NYCHA is turning to a controversial plan to change how public housing operates. Fanta Kaba of WNYC's Radio Rookies brings the story of how this will affect residents and the future…

1
Tarzan's Chicago Adventure: Eastland Survivor Faces 2nd Maritime Disaster 32:31

3M ago32:31

32:31

Welcome to Episode 45 of Flower the River Podcast, where we will discuss: Email from listener in Austria: I’ll share an exciting update: an email from a family member of George Dobek, one of the victims of the Eastland disaster that I profiled in an earlier podcast episode (Beyond the Titanic: The Eastland Love Story of George and Theresa) Story of…

1
The women who masterminded the Montgomery Bus Boycott 36:50

4M ago36:50

36:50

When people think back to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, they often remember just the bullet points: Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, and voila. But on this episode, we're hearing directly from the many women who organized for months about what exactly it took to make the boycott happen. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adch…

1
#20 An Gaeilgeoir Ar Líne - The Online Gaeilgeoir: A Conversation with Mollie Guidera 1:08:09

4M ago1:08:09

1:08:09

To learn more and for all show notes go to - https://thelanguagequestion.com/episode-20-an-gaeilgeoir-ar-line-the-online-gaeilgeoir-a-conversation-with-mollie-guideraBy Finghin Mac Cárthaigh - Flor McCarthy

1
Shadows of the Past: Premonitions from the Titanic to the Eastland 44:36

4M ago44:36

44:36

Overview: In Episode 44 of Flower in the River Podcast, I continue exploring unexplained phenomena like premonitions, synchronicities, and precognition, especially in relation to the Eastland Disaster. This journey includes discussions on Carl Jung's theories, mysterious historical events, and personal stories linked to the Eastland tragedy. Warnin…

1
Everyone wants a piece of Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy 30:45

4M ago30:45

30:45

Martin Luther King Jr. was relatively unpopular when he was assassinated. But the way Americans of all political stripes invoke his memory today, you'd think he was held up as a hero. In this episode, we talk about the cooptation of King's legacy with Hajar Yazdiha, author of The Struggle for the People's King: How Politics Transforms the Memory of…

1
Synchronicities and Age-Old Premonitions of the Eastland Disaster 35:44

4M ago35:44

35:44

Join Me in Today's Adventure: In this episode, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of genealogy, exploring how unexpected synchronicities and age-old premonitions weave through our search for ancestral connections. I'll share stories and insights into how these mystical elements have surfaced in my research, particularly in relation to the…

1
67 years after desegregation, Arkansas schools are in the spotlight again 35:41

4M ago35:41

35:41

Classrooms in Arkansas were at the center of school desegregation in the 1950s. Now, with the LEARNS Act, they're in the spotlight again. Code Switch comes to you live from Little Rock, Arkansas this week to unpack the latest education bill and how it echoes themes from decades past. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adch…

1
From Coal Dust to River Depths: Spring Valley's Eastland Story 36:09

4M ago36:09

36:09

Come along with me as we traverse the poignant histories of Spring Valley's (IL) coal mining roots and their interwoven tales with the harrowing Eastland Disaster of 1915. The quiet streets of this city bear witness to a story that extends far beyond its borders, a narrative of labor struggles, cultural diversity, and the devastating loss of severa…

1
Women of color have always shaped the way Americans eat 33:48

4M ago33:48

33:48

For decades, the ingredients, dishes and chefs that are popularized have been filtered through the narrow lens of a food and publishing world dominated by mostly white, mostly male decision-makers. But with more food authors of color taking center stage, is that changing? In this episode, we dive deep into food publishing, past and present. Learn m…

1
Curveballs and Calamities: Eastland Disaster Baseball Connection 49:32

4M ago49:32

49:32

Come along on an evocative journey through Chicago’s rich baseball heritage, where the crack of the bat resonates with the heartbeats of a diverse immigrant community. This episode weaves a compelling tale of how America’s pastime offered solace and unity during turbulent times, especially leading up to and following the Eastland Disaster of 1915. …

1
Here are our favorite Code Switch episodes from 2023 30:47

5M ago30:47

30:47

It's that time of year again, fam, when we look back at the past 12 months and think, "WHOA, HOW'D THAT GO BY SO FAST?" So we're taking a beat: for this week's episode, each one of us who makes Code Switch is getting on the mic to reflect on — and recommend — an episode we loved from 2023. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.co…

1
Revisiting 'The Color Purple' wars 47:18

5M ago47:18

47:18

The Color Purple remake drops this week and to celebrate, we're bringing you this special episode from our play cousins over at Pop Culture Happy Hour. Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple has been adapted a few times. Next week, the new movie The Color Purple hits theaters – it's based on the Tony-winning musical. The 1985 film is remembered as a…

1
Eastland Waters: Melody, Verse, and Lithuanian Legacy in Chicago 42:11

5M ago42:11

42:11

Join us as we journey into the heart of early 20th century Chicago, turning back the hands of time to explore the life and culture of the largest Lithuanian community outside of Lithuania. The raw beauty of Lithuanian folk music, performed by the group Žalvarinis/Robertas Semeniukas sets the stage for our exploration - a poignant reminder of the re…

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