Yes, I have heard that. However the photos I have seen all show blond people with blue eyes. Since the first one I have seen a photo of came to the US in 1803 and appears to be extremely fair skinned and haired I would be astounded to find out that he was of Turkish ancestry. There are also no customs or traditions in this family that would indicate that ancestry. I have also heard that this last name might actually be Van Ates or Yates.