I am researching the Turner family of Kentucky. My great grandfather Smith R. Turner b. approx. 1830 states he was born in Kentucky and his parents in Va. I have found a Smith Turner in Clark cnty in 1800, Adair County 1820, Russell County in 1830 and 1840. Obviously, having been born about 1830 the 1800-1820 listing would not be him but perhaps a father or grandfather. I also found a Ky Land grant for a Smith Turner in Cumberland Cnty 1806. I know the two Smith Turners he is not... 1. Smith Turner son of Rueben and Orena (Tatum) Turner. Although I do think he may be from the same family. 2. The other is Smith Turner who settled in Missouri. Their ages would be approx. right but my great grandfather lived in Arizona from at least 1873-1884 during which time I have marriage licenses and birth dates of children. He is still shown as a land owner in Ariz. in 1891. Is anyone else researching any Turners in Kentucky or maybe run across any place I might find info. I also don't know what the "R." his middle initial stands for. He had a son Smith R. Turner, Jr. and another son Robert and my father was Robert Smith Turner so Robert may be another common family name. Thank you, Roberta Turner Capello (Bobbi) yep I was named after my father :-)

There was a Jesse TURNER who bought some land in Bourbon Co KY from James RAY (my 4th Great) in the late 1790's, before Nicholas Co was formed from Bourbon. He apparently died young, for in 1803 there is an entry that Francis RAY (my 3rd Great) was appointed guardian to Sarah, Peggy, Jas., Robt., and Elizabeth TURNER, infant orphans of Jesse TURNER, dec'd. Sureties, Wm. HENRY and Robt. HAMILTON. As you probably know, the fact that these children were listed as "orphans" does not necessarily mean that their mother was also dead. It was just that women weren't allowed to be guardians, etc. back then. My RAY family came into Kentucky in the late 1780's from Rowan Co NC, and they are in the 1790 census, which was made up from tax lists for 1788 and 1789. We do not know whether there was a relationship between the TURNERS and the RAYS, or whether Francis was appointed because they were neighbors. There is a historical society in Nicholas Co. Don't know whether they might have any additional help for you or not. Marian Ray Dunlap