Forwarded from cpurcell1@cox.net : Dear Marge; After about 12 years, on and off, my cousin and I have just made some inroads to our families' history. We both gave up several times along the way, but just when it seemed a roadblock had won, something happened that led us around it. It's still happening. My cousin just got a document about our gggrandmother which is invaluable. I found two old boxes in my brothers garage that held papers and pictures and keepsakes neither of us knew existed, including the two wooden figures from the top of my parents' wedding cake - looking as fresh and new as they did in July of 1932. My cousin tells me that the Angels we sent to Heaven (our parents, grandparents, et al) have been helping us with our search for their heritage. Lately I think they've been working overtime. Your story about going back to find records where someone said there wasn't any is an important reminder to all of us searching for our ancestors to not despair or give up. It's hard work but somehow it eventually gets through to us. I especially enjoyed the Irish Blessing at the end of your e-mail. I've printed it in an old gothic font and put it on the wall in front of my desk. It looks right there and I thank you for sharing it with all of us on the Irish in NY thread. Larry Purcell