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Flower in the River: A Family Tale Finally ToldAuthor: Natalie Zett
"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. Language: en-us Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Bolts & Bylines: Frankenstein’s Ghost in the Eastland Story
Episode 157
Thursday, 12 March, 2026
Send a textA missing citation can erase a life twice: once from the pages of history, and again from the digital world. Highlights: RootsTech 2026 recap: Actor and keynote presenter, Marlee Matlin, urged us to honor every life, ensure every story is searchable, and let every family tree reflect humanity’s full spectrum. Her words are simple, but their weight is profound.These words linger, much like the sting of a lost argument, especially when your daily work unfolds in the shadow of Chicago’s 1915 Eastland disaster, where records remain fractured and too many public profiles mistake speculation for fact.So what does good genealogical research really require? It means following the genealogical proof standard, using clear source citations, carefully evaluating evidence, and writing that does not just ask readers to simply “trust us.” We put these ideas to the test with the biggest problems in Eastland Disaster research: orphaned photos and biographies posted without sources, drifting online like ghosts who have forgotten their own names. Reverse image search can help with the photos. It can also reveal just how fast a face gets mislabeled, copied, and confidently recaptioned across a dozen different websites. Add AI-generated images that look disturbingly authentic, and the stakes get higher by the minute.At the center of it all is a case study: Tom Chakinis, Greek immigrant, Western Electric employee, Eastland survivor, and accidental victim of what I'm calling a "Franken record" — a nod to Frankenstein, and just as monstrous. This is a profile stitched together from mismatched parts. Paraphrasing, incomplete sourcing, no byline, and borrowed material that nobody thought to credit. It reads like a biography. It functions like a rumor. Even with good intentions, most of us who work in family history have created a Franken-person. Hopefully, we recognize it and apply the corrections.I tracked this “biography” back to the original source — a *Chicago Tribune* article from August 2, 1979 — and make the case for why restoring the original text, context, and byline isn't a courtesy. It's an obligation. And course correction? Well, that just goes with the territory! At its core, genealogical research is an act of respect—for the people we study, for the researchers before us, and for the families still searching for answers. The Eastland disaster took over 800 lives in minutes—and affected countless more. Each one deserves careful representation. Whether we are tracing a Greek immigrant through Chicago’s history or finding a Franken-record in our own work, the way forward is the same: cite our sources, name our sources, and make sure our research can be checked and continued by others. Every correction helps reclaim a story. Every citation connects us across time.Resources: 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
