Call Number:

RG5.201

Repository:

Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College

Extent:

4.75 linear ft. (10 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item or series here], RG 5/201, Donald Carré Turner Genealogical Research Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College.

Date:

1856-1990 (inclusive)

Creator:

Donald Carre Turner (1909-1989)

Abstract:

Donald Carré Turner (1909-1989) was a construction executive, a genealogist, and an alumnus of Swarthmore College. After his retirement in 1972, Turner devoted much of his time to genealogy. The Turner family was from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and came to this country from England in the seventeenth century. Earlier generations were members of Third Haven and Cecil Monthly Meetings. Lineal surnames include Carré, Birch, Caulk, Betterton, Wilson, Jefferey, Homestead, Course, Sinclair, Williams, and many others. The collection consists primarily of the contents of binders assembled by Donald C. Turner in his research on the genealogy of his family. Turner meticulously documented his sources, and included copies of most of the relevant papers. The names of the files in Series 1 are those used by Turner. Most of the material consists of notes and copies of documents, but there are a few original records.

BIOGRAPHICAL/HISTORICAL Donald Carré Turner (1909-1989) was a construction executive, a genealogist, and an alumnus of Swarthmore College. 1926-1931Donald Carré Turner was born in Jenkintown and raised in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania. He joined a dance band, the Highlanders, in 1926 and played banjo and rhythm guitar. After his graduation from Swarthmore with a degree in Economics in 1931, he toured with the band and appeared at the Skytop Resort in the Poconos. 1930s-1970s, 1963-1971Donald C. Turner was also an executive with the Turner Construction Company, founded by his uncle, Henry C. Turner, in 1920. The former served as the contract manager for the Philadelphia territory, and worked on a number of buildings in Philadelphia and Atlantic City. He was also involved in a number of professional societies and served as a member of the Upper Providence School District Authority from 1963-1971 1972-1989After his retirement in 1972, Turner devoted much of his time to genealogy. The Turner family was from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and came to this country from England in the seventeenth century. Earlier generations were members of Third Haven and Cecil Monthly Meetings. Lineal surnames include Carré, Birch, Caulk, Betterton, Wilson, Jefferey, Homestead, Course, Sinclair, Williams, and many others.

The collection consists primarily of the contents of binders assembled by Donald C. Turner in his research on the genealogy of his family. Turner meticulously documented his sources, and included copies of most of the relevant papers. The names of the files in Series 1 are those used by Turner. Most of the material consists of notes and copies of documents, but there are a few original records.

These have been retained as arranged by Turner. Series 2 and 3 consist of personal papers and memorabilia of Donald C. Turner, his wife, and earlier generations of the Turner and Carre families. Photographs received with the collection have been processed and housed separately as PA collection.

1. Genealogical Notebooks and files.
2. Donald C. and Agnes Reed Turner Papers
3. Turner & Carré Family Papers.