From the Archives

The Eastland Disaster Historical Society has preserved an extensive collection of historical records documenting the lives of those affected by the tragedy. Now, through our From The Archives research service, we can bring those records together to uncover details, documents, photographs, and personal connections that may not be found anywhere else.

Your ancestor's profile on our website can become much more than a name and a few basic facts. It can become a richer historical record of their life and their place in the Eastland story.

See the difference archival research can make

A typical profile may contain only a limited amount of information. But our archives can reveal a much more complete story.

BEFORE: A basic profile

This profile contains basic biographical information, but there is much more of her story that could potentially be uncovered.

AFTER: A profile enriched with archival research

Through archival research, this profile has been expanded with a biographical narrative, historical photographs, newspaper coverage, original documents, family connections, research citations, and acknowledgments.

This is the kind of depth we hope to bring to the profiles of other Eastland victims, survivors, and their families.

What can we discover about your ancestor?
Our researchers will search relevant materials in the Eastland Disaster Historical Society's collections, which include records from sources such as:

• American Red Cross records
• Western Electric employment and historical records
• Cook County Coroner's Office records
• Chicago Tribune newspaper archives
• Historical photographs, documents, and other materials in our collections

Depending on what survives in our archives, we may uncover information about your ancestor's family, occupation, residence, experiences surrounding the disaster, and connections to other individuals involved in the tragedy.

We then carefully select, transcribe or summarize, and incorporate relevant findings into your ancestor's public profile on the EDHS website, with appropriate research citations and source acknowledgments.

The result is a more complete, documented historical record—not just for your family, but for everyone researching the Eastland Disaster.

How the service works

1. Tell us about your ancestor. Identify the individual whose profile you would like us to research. If possible, provide their name and any additional information that might help us locate relevant records.
2. We search our archives. Our researchers devote approximately 3–4 hours to locating, reviewing, and evaluating relevant historical materials.
3. We enhance the profile. We curate the discoveries and add appropriate information, documents, photographs, and citations to your ancestor's profile on the EDHS website.
4. Their story becomes part of the historical record. The enhanced profile is publicly accessible, allowing family members, historians, genealogists, and future generations to benefit from the research.

A modest contribution makes this possible

Archival research takes time, care, and expertise. We ask for a $35 honorarium for each research request to help support the Eastland Disaster Historical Society's mission of preserving and sharing the history of the tragedy.

Submit a From The Archives Research Request — $35

Already an annual dues-paying member of EDHS?

EDHS members enjoy access to our archival research capabilities throughout the year as a membership benefit. Learn about membership.

Help us bring your ancestor's story to life.

There may be photographs, documents, family connections, and details about your ancestor waiting to be discovered in our archives. Information that has remained unseen for generations may help tell a story that deserves to be remembered.

Let us help you uncover those pieces of the past and add them to the public historical record.

Your ancestor was part of the Eastland story. Help us tell their story, too.

GET STARTED WITH FROM THE ARCHIVES