21 July 2020 at 1:00pm CDT Session

Virtual Meet-Up: “Ask the Expert” About Eastland Disaster Genealogical Records

With Ted Wachholz

**This Meet-Up will be offered at 1:00pm CDT and 7:00pm CDT on 21 July - Make sure you register for the correct time you are interested in**

Early on the morning of Saturday, July 24, 1915, a light rain fell yet the air was filled with anticipation and excitement. Thousands gathered along the Chicago River for Western Electric's fifth annual employee picnic. More than 7,000 tickets had been purchased for the day‐long festivities. But the day quickly turned tragic, resulting in Chicago's greatest loss‐of-life tragedy.

As a by-product of the amazing disaster relief efforts provided in 1915 by the American Red Cross and the Western Electric Company, we are blessed today with having a unique collection of historical records that provide insight into families in Chicago at the turn of the century. The collection includes and honors the people who lost their lives, survivors, crew, U.S. Coast Guard, policemen, firemen, divers, funeral directors, and others.

These records, assembled over twenty years, are now becoming available via a joint effort with the Chicago Genealogical Society (CGS) and the Newberry Library. The “Ask the Expert” host, Ted Wachholz, will use select examples of the records to reveal what type of information will soon be available to researchers, genealogists, and historians. It is important to note that this collection is truly 1-of-a-kind, and will be available only via the Chicago Genealogical Society (Members Only section of the website) or the Newberry Library (physical archives).

In addition to exploring the content of the historical documents archived at the Newberry, Ted will provide a sneak preview into two other projects which are joint efforts with CGS and the Newberry. The first is an exciting new collaboration with the Newberry in using the interactive ChicagoAncestors.org as a new way to interact and engage with the Eastland Disaster content. The second is an equally exciting new undertaking with CGS to provide a surname index to the Eastland Disaster content as well as all surname content on file with CGS.

During the course of the meet-up, Ted will also discuss and explore the explanations behind the two most frequently asked questions about the Eastland Disaster. (a) What caused the Eastland Disaster? (b) Why is the history of the tragedy so obscure, even in the greater Chicago area?

About the speaker - Ted Wachholz has spent over twenty years researching the history of the Eastland Disaster. His research was balanced between the history of the tragedy and the families that were involved in the tragedy. In 2005, Ted authored the third book ever written about the Eastland Disaster. Ted’s passion and interest in the Eastland Disaster was sparked by his personal connection to the tragedy: His wife’s grandmother, Borghild “Bobbie” Aanstad, survived the tragedy as a young teenager.

Registration is required via the Chicago Genealogical Society website under Events. At the time of registration, you will have the opportunity to submit a question to the expert. He will try to incorporate submitted questions into the talk and will answer as many questions as time allows after.

This talk will take place virtually via ZOOM. All people registered will receive an email the morning of the event with log-in instructions and a link. This information is not to be shared.

The talk will be recorded and uploaded to the members only section of the CGS website for future viewing.

**This Meet-Up will be offered at 1:00pm CDT and 7:00pm CDT on 21 July so make sure you register for the correct time you are interested in**