TULARE COUNTY'S FOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE : WOMAN, 90, HAILED AS CENTRAL VALLEY HISTORICAL RESOURCE.Byline: Eric Coyne Visalia Times-Delta Some people can't imagine one without the other: Annie R. Mitchell and Tulare County history. Mitchell has been caretaker of the county's history for much of her 90 years, weighing facts and discarding fiction, writing six books and countless articles heralding the county's past, her name known to historians across the state. ``Without Annie to write it all down, Tulare County's history would be forgotten history,'' said Ora Kay Peterson, president of the county Historical Society. Born July 10, 1906, in the small town of Ducor, Mitchell became interested in local history after listening to pioneers talk about the wilder side of life in Tulare County. They included stories about how the south end of the San Joaquin Valley Noun 1. San Joaquin Valley - a vast valley in central California known for its rich farmland Calif., California, Golden State, CA - a state in the western United States on the Pacific; the 3rd largest state; known for earthquakes was settled, Central California's Indian wars Indian wars, in American history, general term referring to the series of conflicts between Europeans and their descendants and the indigenous peoples of North America. and the discovery of gold along the Kern Kern, river, 155 mi (249 km) long, rising in the S Sierra Nevada Mts., E Calif., and flowing south, then southwest to a reservoir in the extreme southern part of the San Joaquin valley. The river has Isabella Dam as its chief facility. and White rivers. ``Each time one of these pioneers died, their history died with them,'' Mitchell said, describing her decision more than a half-century ago to begin documenting the past. Slight in stature, Mitchell stands tall with researchers caught up in the difficult task of preserving facts sometimes clouded by the faded memories of family members and modern-day descendants DESCENDANTS. Those who have issued from an individual, and include his children, grandchildren, and their children to the remotest degree. Ambl. 327 2 Bro. C. C. 30; Id. 230 3 Bro. C. C. 367; 1 Rop. Leg. 115; 2 Bouv. n. 1956. 2. . Mitchell has won numerous honors, the latest a rose that was named after her. ``Annie not only is a trained observer, she documents,'' said Terry Ommen, a local historian and police captain. ``Not many people know Annie spent World War II as a spotter . . . searching the skies for enemy planes.'' Omen said he and countless others have approached Mitchell over the years trying to determine important dates and authenticate (1) To verify (guarantee) the identity of a person or company. To ensure that the individual or organization is really who it says it is. See authentication and digital certificate. (2) To verify (guarantee) that data has not been altered. information about historical events. He said Mitchell often can recall detailed information about an obscure subject from memory and said her vast private collection of records and historical documents is a unique and irreplaceable resource for scholars. ``The worst thing you can do in this business is rely on family tradition,'' Mitchell said. Instead, she double-checks facts against county census records, marriage licenses and old cemetery records. ``I even consult cattle brands,'' said Mitchell, who taught school for 35 years. ``Then you can get a good picture and add this all up to get a date.'' Tulare County Museum curator CURATOR, persons, contracts. One who has been legally appointed to take care of the interests of one who, on account of his youth, or defect of his understanding, or for some other cause, is unable to attend to them himself. 2. Katy Howell said Mitchell has been an invaluable resource and a great help to her. ``Annie is remarkable because she knows so much about the area and because she's been a part of this museum since it opened,'' Howell said. ``She's the one I refer people to if someone has a tough history question I can't answer.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Annie R. Mitchell, right, talks with Mary Hill Mary Hill may refer to: People
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