The Hamall Line: Thomas Kenny Hamall
Thomas Kenny Hamall
For most of my life, I knew only fragments of my father's early years. His parents divorced when he was about nine. He moved to Miami with his mother and grandparents. His grandfather had been a Battalion Chief for the Chicago Fire Department. He went to seminary for a time but came home. He served in the Navy. These were the scattered pieces—islands of fact floating in a sea of what no one ever talked about.
Fifteen years after his death, I began to assemble the documentary evidence. What emerged was not just a timeline, but a portrait of resilience—a boy who lost his intact family at nine, found father figures in priests and coaches, earned his own way to seminary, served his country before he could legally enlist, and built a life that would eventually lead him to Barbara O'Brien at the American Cancer Society office on 57th Street in New York.
This is the story the documents tell.
"Four Generations"
Thomas Kenny Hamall was born on July 21, 1932, in Evanston, Cook County, Illinois—in the St. Francis Ward, according to his birth certificate. His father, Thomas Eugene Hamall, was twenty-seven years old, working as a laundry driver for the North Shore Hand Laundry. His mother, Margaret Kenny Hamall, was twenty-four, listed simply as "housewife" with "own home" noted beside her occupation. They lived at 4867 North Ashland Avenue in Chicago.
Birth Certificate, July 21, 1932. Cook County, Illinois. Certificate obtained July 22, 1963—likely for his marriage license.
The name "Kenny" was his mother's maiden name—a deliberate choice that tied him to her Irish-Canadian family as firmly as "Thomas" connected him to his father's line. His father was Thomas Eugene. His grandfather was Thomas Henry. The name carried weight.
Somewhere in his first year, a remarkable photograph was taken. Four generations gathered together: baby Thomas in his father's arms, his grandmother Emma (Guilbault) Gilbert Hamall standing beside them, and seated in front, his great-grandmother Marie Louise Thebault—born in Quebec in 1856, now in her late seventies, the matriarch of the line.
Four generations, circa 1933. Baby Thomas Kenny in his father Thomas Eugene's arms. Standing: grandmother Emma (Guilbault) Gilbert Hamall. Seated: great-grandmother Marie Louise Thebault (1856-1941). A Chicago bungalow neighborhood visible behind them.
By twenty months, little Tom was posing for studio portraits—a cheerful toddler with a ready smile, dressed in a white sweater, the very image of a happy Chicago childhood in the depths of the Depression.
Tom at 20 months. A studio portrait capturing the cheerful toddler who would later become an altar boy, a seminarian, a sailor, and a father of six.
There was a move after May 1939—seven-year-old Thomas's First Communion year—from the Ashland Avenue address to 33 North Menard Avenue, still in Chicago. We know this because of a small devotional keepsake from his First Communion on May 14, 1939. Inside, someone had crossed out the old address, and wrote the new one: 33 N. Menard.
First Communion keepsake, May 14, 1939. The crossed-out address reveals the family's move from Ashland Avenue to 33 N. Menard after May 14, 1939.
Report card from St. Catherine of Siena, Grade Two, 1939-1940. Address: 33 No. Menard Ave. The Archdiocese of Chicago emphasized both academic progress and "character traits which go to make a good Catholic and a good citizen."
Documentary Evidence: Chicago Years
"The Only Census"
The 1940 United States Census captured the Hamall family in Chicago's Ward 37—the only federal census that would ever show Thomas Eugene, Margaret, and young Thomas living together as an intact family unit. Father listed as head of household. Mother as wife. Son as son. A laundry driver's family, making their way through the tail end of the Depression.
1940 U.S. Census, Chicago, Ward 37. The only census showing the intact family: Thomas Eugene (head), Margaret (wife), and Thomas Jr. (son, age 7). Within two years, this family would be divided by divorce.
What the census cannot show is what was fracturing beneath the surface. Within two years, Thomas Eugene and Margaret would divorce. The boy who appears here as simply "Thomas Jr., age 7" would soon be uprooted from everything he knew.
This census record is precious precisely because it is singular. No earlier census shows them together (Thomas wasn't born until 1932). No later census would—after 1940, divorce scattered them across states. This single document is the only federal proof that the family of Thomas Eugene, Margaret, and Thomas Kenny Hamall ever existed as a unit.
"920 NW 51st Street"
On April 5, 1942, a photograph was taken of nine-year-old Thomas and his mother Margaret standing on the porch of their Chicago home. On the back of the photo, someone wrote: "Where Thomas lived until May 1." Within weeks, their life in Chicago would end.
April 5, 1942. Thomas and his mother Margaret on the porch in Chicago. The back of the photograph reads: "Where Thomas lived until May 1." Less than a month later, they would leave for Miami.
The divorce had come. Margaret packed up her son and, with her parents Thomas P. Kenny and Ellen Kenny, moved to Miami, Florida. Tom was nine years old, turning ten that July. He would not return to Chicago to live.
His grandfather, Thomas P. Kenny, had been a Battalion Chief for the Chicago Fire Department—a man of authority and discipline. Now retired, he became the male anchor of young Tom's life. The family settled at 920 NW 51st Street in Miami, and this would be Tom's home address until a move to 8101 NE 1st Ave by 1949.
Years later, encouraged by his wife Barbara to write down the story of his life, Tom would make notes on index cards. For the years 1942-1952, he wrote a list of the things he remembered:
Tom's handwritten autobiographical notes. Barbara encouraged him to write down his life story. These index cards became a roadmap for research—each entry a clue to be verified.
From Tom's Notes: 1942-1952
Each entry opens a window. "Rex" was his dog—a companion who helped a displaced boy adjust to his new life. "Ronnie Sommers" appeared on the same page of the 1945 Florida census—a ten-year-old neighbor boy, likely a childhood friend. "Fr. Roche / Fr. Cronin" were his parish priests who became father figures to a boy whose own father was now 1,200 miles away. The priests were his coaches too, leading the parish sports teams. He served as an altar boy. He worked a paper route to earn his own money.
1945 Florida State Census, 920 NW 51st Street, Miami. The Kenny household: Thomas P. Kenny (age 73, retired), Ellen Kenny (age 75), Margaret Hamall (age 37, daughter), and Thomas Hamall (age 12). Three generations under one roof, providing stability after the divorce.
"The Call"
From eighth grade on, Tom felt he was being called to the priesthood. The priests at St. Mary's who had become his mentors and father figures, the structure and ritual of the Catholic faith that had anchored his uprooted life—all of it pointed him toward seminary.
In ninth grade, at age thirteen, he entered St. Charles Seminary in Catonsville, Maryland—a minor seminary for high school boys discerning a vocation. He earned all the money for his seminary suit himself. He stayed through tenth grade.
And then, in the spring of 1947, something happened that Tom would later describe as "pivotal."
The Easter vacation of 1947 is documented in detail in The Three Thomas Hamalls case study. Thomas Eugene Hamall traveled from Chicago to Washington, DC to visit his son during seminary. Father and son were photographed separately at the U.S. Capitol—but photographic analysis confirmed they were there together. Tom's index card for this period reads simply: "1947 spent Easter vacation in DC."
That visit—whatever was said between father and son—changed the trajectory of Tom's life.
Shortly after, Tom's mother Margaret became ill. He left seminary and returned to Miami to be with his family. He enrolled at St. Mary's High School for his junior and senior years. The priesthood would not be his path—but the faith that drew him there would remain central to his life.
"The Classy Panthers"
Back in Miami, Tom threw himself into high school life. He played basketball for St. Mary's—the "Classy Panthers." He played football. A newspaper clipping from 1949 captured his basketball prowess: "a play set up on a Sordo-to Hamall pass" and "intended for Hamall and set the Panthers loose."
1949 Basketball team. Tom is #9, standing at far right in back row.
1950. #9 in action—palm trees visible behind the court. A Miami athlete, not a Chicago boy anymore.
1949-1950 Football. Tom (#40 far left back row) with his teammates—the boy who once served mass at St. Mary's now tackled opponents on the gridiron.
"Classy Panthers Roll to Easy 26-6 Victory." The newspaper captured the team's dominance—and Tom Hamall's contribution to their success.
"Go Navy"
The summer between his junior and senior years—1949—Tom went to Navy boot camp. He was only sixteen, not yet seventeen. His mother Margaret signed the permission papers, but she did something else too: she lied about his birthday, claiming he was born June 21, 1932 instead of July 21, 1932. That one-month difference allowed him to enlist early.
"THE 'STINGER' OF A NAVY WARPLANE, its .50-caliber machine guns, are given close and curious attention by Bill Lewis, 9195 Sunset dr., and Tom Hamail [sic], 8101 N.E. First ave. Answering their questions is F.S. Burwell, ordnanceman, first class. Bill and Tom are among 100 high school boys who will 'go Navy' during their summer vacations." — Herald Staff Photo by William Stapleton
Tom graduated from St. Mary's High School on June 4, 1950. He entered the Navy Reserves and was stationed at Key West. A color photograph—the only Navy photo that survives—shows him in his dress blues, standing among the tropical foliage of South Florida.
Thomas graduated from St. Mary's High School. Rev. P.J. Roche "a mentor" signed his diploma.
The only surviving Navy photograph. Seaman Thomas Kenny Hamall in dress blues, Key West era. The boy who wanted to be a priest now served his country.
1950 U.S. Census, Miami. Thomas Kenny Hamall (age 17) still living with his grandparents Thomas P. Kenny (age 76) and Ellen Kenny (age 80), and mother Margaret (age 42, listed as "divorced"). The address is listed as 8101 NE 1st Ave. The Kenny household remained his anchor through graduation and into Navy service.
The newspaper photo lists Tom's address as "8101 N.E. First ave."—different from the 920 NW 51st Street of the 1945 census records. The 1950 census confirms the "8101 NE 1st Ave" address. Thomas and his mother had moved with the Kennys to North Miami Beach by the summer of 1949. (This was corroborated by Tom's handwritten autobiographical notes).
"Finding His Way"
After his Navy service, Tom returned to Miami. His notes for 1952-1962 trace his path from sailor to young professional:
From Tom's Notes: 1952-1962
NAVCAD—the Naval Aviation Cadet program—became his first post-service work. He was a recruiter, likely drawing on his own experience to guide other young men toward service. He attended the University of Miami and joined Kappa Alpha fraternity. He worked at Pan Am, spent time at United Loan and Thrift, and then moved into non-profit work with the American Cancer Society.
1953 Miami City Directory. Three Hamalls listed: Emma (widow of Thomas), Thomas E (landscaper), and Thomas K (assistant manager, State Loan Corp). Father and son were both in Miami—Thomas Eugene running his landscaping business, Thomas Kenny building his career in finance.
By 1955, Tom had risen to educational director for the American Cancer Society's Miami office. A newspaper clipping shows "Thomas K. Hamall, educational director, American Cancer Society" speaking at a community gathering.
"Thomas K. Hamall, educational director, American Cancer Society" — May 7, 1955. At twenty-two, Tom was already in a leadership role, speaking at community events about cancer awareness.
"Carol Jane" appears in his notes—a girlfriend before Barbara. But then came the transfer to New York, to Rego Park in Queens, and to the American Cancer Society office on 57th Street in Manhattan. That's where he met Barbara O'Brien.
"The Caldwell Connection - Montclair" refers to Barbara's family in New Jersey. And then, simply: "St. Pats Weekend '57."
The boy who had lost his intact family at nine, who had sought meaning in the priesthood, who had served his country and built a career—that boy was now a man of twenty-four, ready to start a family of his own.
From a four-generation photograph in Chicago to an engagement at St. Patrick's Cathedral—this is the documentary record of Thomas Kenny Hamall's young life. What came next—marriage to Barbara, six children, an extensive professional career, and the legacy he left behind—continues in Episode Six.
Document Gallery
1932 — Birth Certificate
July 21, Evanston, Illinois
BIRTH
1932 — Four Generations
Thomas Kenny, Thomas Eugene, Emma, Marie Louise
PORTRAIT
1934 — Studio Portrait
Tom at 20 months
PORTRAIT
1939 — First Communion
May 14, 1939 with address change from 4869 N. Ashland to 33 N. Menard
KEEPSAKE
1939 — Report Card
St. Catherine of Siena, Grade Two
EDUCATION
1940 — U.S. Census
Only census with intact family
CENSUS
1942-1952 — Autobiographical Notes
Tom's handwritten index cards c. 2009
MEMOIR
1942 — Last Chicago Photo
April 5, "Where Thomas lived until May 1"
PORTRAIT
1942 — "On Barron's Front Steps"
May 3, The Kennys are in Miami- From left: Rich and Hattie Thomasius, Ellen and "Pa" Kenny- Margaret Kenny Hamall (center front).
PORTRAIT
1942 — Tom's 10th Birthday
"Barron's - Tom's 10th Birthday- Miami"
PORTRAIT
1945 — Florida State Census
920 NW 51st St, with Kenny grandparents. Ronnie Sommers, presumed childhood friend, 836 NW 51st St
CENSUS
1946-1947— St. Charles College (Seminary)
"Baltimore- St Charles College- 14 yrs old- after appendectomy"
PORTRAIT
Autobiographical Notes 1947
Tom's handwritten index cards c. 2009
MEMOIR
1949-1950 — Report Card
St. Mary's High School Senior Year. Note Sister M. Damian and Rev. P.J. Roche, from the hand written note cards.
EDUCATION
1949 — Basketball Team
St. Mary's High School, #9
ATHLETICS
1949 — Football Team
St. Mary's High School. Back row: Tom Hamall, Mike Kennedy, Tom Lavin, Larry Hughes. Front row: Leo Engel, Bob Beck, Joe Murawka, Bill Hetzel and Coach Garrity.
ATHLETICS
1949 — Newspaper Clipping
"Classy Panthers Roll to Easy Victory"
NEWSPAPER
1949 — Navy Training
"Go Navy" summer vacation
NEWSPAPER
1950 — Basketball Portrait
#9, St. Mary's High School
ATHLETICS
1950 — U.S. Census
Kenny household, Miami
CENSUS
1950 — Graduation Portrait
St. Mary's High School, June 4
PORTRAIT
1950 — High School Diploma
St. Mary's, signed by Rev. P.J. Roche
DIPLOMA
c. 1950 — Navy Portrait
Dress blues, Key West era
MILITARY
Honorable Discharge United States Navy
March 20, 1954 Honorable Discharge United States Navy
MILITARY
c. 1952-1962 — Autobiographical Notes
Tom's handwritten index cards c. 2009
MEMOIR
1953 — City Directory
Three Hamalls: Emma, Thomas E, Thomas K
DIRECTORY
1955 — Newspaper Article
Educational Director, American Cancer Society
NEWSPAPERWant to Know When New Stories Are Published?
Subscribe to receive updates on new family history research—no spam, just meaningful stories when there's something worth sharing.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTEREvery Family Has a Story Worth Telling
Whether you're just beginning your research or ready to transform years of work into a narrative your family will treasure, I'd love to help.
LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR FAMILY