Ripley Roots Stories / Epilouge

	Ripley Roots

Epilogue
by theresa m. ripley

Sullivans and Ripleys at Greatparent's Grave in Fairbury, Illinois, in June 1996

Since returning I have written John O'Sullivan and sent him a draft copy of In Search of the Sullivans. I included pictures of us taken at their home. I wrote Con as well, and wait, wondering if either will respond.

I also sent pictures and the above description of the Irish visit to some of my Midwest relatives. This project, for now, is coming to an end. I researched, I read, I wrote, I visited, I reported, I rewrote, and now I am beginning to relegate the whole effort into the memory bank part of my brain.

The effort has far exceeded my expectations. I not only feel a connection with the Sullivans I never knew who emigrated in the 1860's, but I had a number of pleasant encounters with the Sullivans of my youth in the development of this project. Meeting O'Sullivans on the original land area of my great great grandparents was not even imagined at the beginning of this effort. Who would have thought such a thing.

Now is the time to thank those who have helped me. Several friends read versions of this story, and as good friends do, they cheered. Their names are Cheryl, Anise, Connie, Bob, Mildred, Angela, Neta Kaye, and Jennifer. And, as always, Uncle Don, even though he is not a Sullivan, cheers relentlessly from his Arizona post. Irene D. Bittner, a volunteer Family Researcher with the Circuit Court in Bloomington, Illinois, went far beyond my expectations in being helpful in securing my great grandfather's will. Mary Pyne, a research assistant at the Limerick Regional Archives, in Limerick, Ireland, wrote a fact-based, clear report that set us up to visit the five locations in Limerick County. Meeting her was a special delight.

Jack's contributions are to continue to make me a better writer, which means he cheers and then he says, "if I crossed out had one more time in your writing, I was going to scream." Then he went ahead and crossed out had, changed that to who, and made numerous marks on every page. It is his edited copy I keep. It is the one that teaches me. Jack was also driver in Ireland as I navigated us from point to point. His enthusiasm for the search made it twice as rewarding. But, then again, he has always been a great travel partner, and just plain partner.