Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster

Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally Told

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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 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 German relative from the Pfeiffer line.
• **Creative Projects**: The creation of a family scrapbook and a video featuring my family's journey from Poland to Johnstown to Chicago, with photography by Chicago-based photographer Ervin Eliud.
• **Honoring Forgotten Victims**: The story of Chrissie McNeal Lauritzen a survivor of the Eastland Disaster who suffered long-term health effects and eventually succumbed to them. Her story highlights the overlooked long-term impacts on survivors and the importance of remembering every life affected by this tragedy.
• **Public Health Concerns**: Discussion on typhoid fever and other health risks faced by those who were in the Chicago River during the disaster.
• *Creative Spark**: How I created a song and a video, "Eastland Hymn," to honor the upcoming disaster's anniversary.

Links:

• Ervin Eliud
• Eastland Hymn by Natalie Zett
• Snapshots of a Legacy: Our Family's Chicago Story by Natalie Zett

Music:

• Eastland Hymn by Natalie Zett

• Book website: https://www.flowerintheriver.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

Chapters

1. Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster (00:00:00)

2. Exploring Family History Through Tragedy (00:00:07)

3. Pfeiffer Cousin Connection from Germany (00:03:09)

4. Moving into a new Creative Comfort Zone (00:08:06)

5. She died OF the Eastland (00:13:43)

6. She died OF the Eastland but not ON the Eastland (00:13:46)

7. Remembering the Eastland Disaster Victims (00:16:14)

8. Typhoid Fever (00:20:02)

9. Introducing the "Eastland Hymn." (00:27:56)