For many decades just about any descendant of North American Cullisons had a daunting task in tracing their Cullison lineage. One marvelous woman worked tirelessly to change that. Many of us, probably numbering in the hundreds (and perhaps more) had the pleasure and blessing of finding Norma or being found by her. She became the chief researcher, compiler, and clearinghouse of just about all known data regarding the Cullison surname among Americans.

     Norma told some of us that this work was something of her lifelong mission or at least some part thereof. She fulfilled this personal quest with distinction. As many have already said, and as hundreds more will one day say, Norma L. Cullison Myers has given the extended Cullison family history the greatest gift it has ever received. With the publication of her two volumes on Cullison genealogy and family history there are now more than 900 pages in print involving over 8,000 distinct individuals--all Cullison descendants--where previously there had been almost none.

     There is no way to calculate the number of hours, the amount of personal expense, or the quantity of love and dedication that went into this decades long task. Only few know that for some time before her passing Norma was undergoing cancer therapy with all that implies. She commented that this work gave her comfort, and even distraction, from the hardships that brought her.

     A number of us had the absolute delight of corresponding with Norma over many years and we were all the better for it. Her always- positive outlook, her patient encouragement and her selfless example were an inspiration to us. Without her this work would not stand where it now does and is among the finest works of its kind.

     But the greater Cullison family history story does not stop here. Within the last year of her life Norma graciously sent along to me her Cullison research files and sort of "passed along the torch," as it were, of keeping this work going forward. Perhaps her greatest unfulfilled desire was to discover both the link between the early St. Mary's Co., MD Cullisons and the early Baltimore Co. area Cullisons and to discover the Old World origins of the clan.

     Through the Cullison Family website(s), we hope to continue helping modern day descendants discover their precise Cullison heritage, add to the still growing body of Cullison family data, and perhaps even discover final answers to the elusive questions noted above. It was Norma's wish that we carry on this work.

     Norma's own work in this life ended on 10 August 2001 but her bequest to us lives on. In her final weeks she was still asking me for updates on additions and corrections to her compilations and offering tips on how to further help folks pursue their own direct line. Just eight days before her final day with us she emailed me her joy in knowing that all of her compilations had been successfully transferred to my database.

     This tribute, therefore, would be incomplete without stressing that this work will continue on. Please post at the website, or email me directly, any questions, additions, changes, etc. that you may have regarding the greater Cullison family and I will attempt to fill at least some of Norma's shoes.

     We wish to thank Norma's family for allowing us to share a part of her life. With her passing we have lost a friend, an advocate, and a giant in the often painstaking world of family history. But we are the better for having known her and are all the more blessed for it. If she were writing this final paragraph herself she would likely omit the above but I'm most certain she would express her gratitude to all who helped her in this work and wish us well in carrying on.

Thanks Norma! We owe you big time!

--Written by Jeffrey R. Cullison [jeffgenealogy@comcast.net]