From L-R Top (Correct me if I'm wrong!): Joe, (Sheila, face turned away in back), Jim, Tom, (Jean, little hat in back), and Dave. Bottom: Luke (Bud) and Patricia.
Thanks to my father's vast knowledge of WW2, I was also able to frame this film in a very detailed historical context. He writes to me and my siblings:"Here is a very rare 8mm color movie taken outside of St. Gertrude's Church in August 1945 at the wedding of Patricia Hoffmann and Luke (Bud) Cunniff. As you can see WW2 was just about over and so all of grandma's brothers who were there were still in their US Army uniforms except your great uncle Bob who was in the US Navy. He was still in the service in the Pacific."
He later explained that since this wedding took place August 11, 1945, this was only days after the bombing of Nagasaki on August 9th and Hiroshima on August 6th. The war in Europe had ended in May so the army uncles were all back. The one uncle in the navy, however, is obviously not in any of the footage.
He goes on to explain, "Your great grandmother Elizabeth and your great grandfather Luke Cunniff are walking up the steps at about 0:54-58 on the film. Your grandfather Richard Fitzgerald is there in a bright tie at 1:47-48. Your grandmother Jean Cunniff Fitzgerald is at 2:51 wearing a pink hat and she is with her mother Elizabeth who is wearing the flowers on her head."
I'd like to mention that Jean Fitzgerald (who I am named after) is wearing a pink mini top hat. That is evidence enough to prove she was an amazing person.
My dad continues in his email, "I was about 4 months old and not in these pictures and your uncle Luke was just a twinkle in your grandmother's eyes. The two priests were brothers of Patricia Hoffmann who officiated at the wedding. Grandma's sister Sheila Cunniff Kownick is in the picture at 2:32 - 2:35 and she has the long curly hair. Sheila is then about 1 month shy of her 13th birthday!"
Thanks to the cousin who transferred this to youtube!
Even if you are not related to the people in this video, you still might appreciate its rarity. Chances are though if you are Irish or have ever stepped foot in Chicago, and you are reading this, you probably are related to the people in this video.
I mean, if anything, look at the kids walking by in front of the church. Look at their socks! They're brown! And all the old cars were probably made before the war! It's not hollywood, it's real people in fancy dresses, men in uniform, old bicycles and strollers and cameras and ladies' hats and gloves...
and I think there are probably more Catholic priests in this video than there are currently in the City of Chicago!...and it's all in color! My father also reminded me that The Wizard of Oz--one of the first color movies-- only had come out 6 years earlier.
and I think there are probably more Catholic priests in this video than there are currently in the City of Chicago!...and it's all in color! My father also reminded me that The Wizard of Oz--one of the first color movies-- only had come out 6 years earlier.
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