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Update on the Stevenson Ranch/Pico/Towsley Fire (October 2003)
President's Message
November 2003
[CLICK HERE FOR FIRE COVERAGE]
TEMPORARY CLOSURES: Mentryville, a state park, has reopened following the wildfire that swept through Pico Canyon in late
October. Towsley Canyon, the SCV's most severely damaged wilderness area, has been slower to
recover. The Angeles National Forest was closed for about a week. It has reopened, but the USDA Forest Service
advises visitors to obey posted rules about campfires.
PARK DAMAGE: No SCV homes were lost. Natural areas in Pico, Towsley and East canyons were devastated. However, all structures in the historic town of Mentryville were saved, including Johnson Park and its replica oil derrick, when the fire swept through the area. The "Old Glory" oak tree was saved. The Towsley Canyon Lodge and ranger residence were saved. Old shacks on the Warner Bros. property next to Towsley Canyon, used in "The Dukes of Hazzard" series, were reportedly destroyed (unconfirmed).
PARKS OUTSIDE THE S.C.V.: Several historic landmarks in the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park were destroyed (details unkonwn). Sespe Condor sanctuary (Los Padres National Forest) burned, but no condors were there. The former Corriganville (now a state park) in Simi Valley burned.
— Leon Worden, President
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Genealogy Group News
November 2003
The Genealogy Group met in the Train Station on Nov. 6. A video film on "How DNA Can Help You With Your Genealogy Research" was shown and a discussion followed the video.
Gene Mock brought in a DNA kit that he sent for and passed it around for everyone to see how easy it was to collect his or her own DNA sample. The cost, only $101 for the kit and test, was very reasonable.
How the FamilyTree DNA people work is, that you chose a surname that you would like to have your DNA test results matched with others with the same surname. They send you a kit along with a kit number. You rub the inside of your mouth with the equipment that is included in the kit and mail the kit back with your sample. About five weeks later, FamilyTree DNA will email you that they have completed the findings, and give you the site, plus a password, so that you can go on line and see how you matched up with the chosen surname that you had picked to be compared with. Usually there is a group leader with the surname connected with the DNA testing, and you will see the other people who line up in the same family group and email addresses so that you can contact them to compare notes.
DNA is now a popular way to help confirm ancestors when you hit a block wall. The coming generation will start using DNA for more things than just genealogy.
The Genealogy Jamboree will be held in the Westin Pasadena Hotel on April 16-17, 2004, and if you send in your registration before Dec 25, you get free parking.
A video on Using Rootsweb was run halfway and will be continued next month. Next month’s meeting will be geared for the holidays. We will have a Dessert High with those who desire bringing in a dessert to share.
— Helen Blancher
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