Description
Donald H. Estes (1936-2005) was a San Diego based historian and educator who wrote and taught about the Japanese American
experience in Southern California and the nation. The bulk of his Papers contain his research files for his many books and
articles, his writings, and the the sources he collected from the
Japanese American community in order to document their internment during World War II. Other papers include Issei and Nisei oral history interview transcripts, papers reflecting Estes' service
to the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), research and documentation of California's Alien Land Laws, and a range of
unique primary source materials pertinent to the study of Japanese and Japanese Americans in San Diego and California.
Background
Donald Hamilton Estes was born in Nebraska in 1936. He and his family moved to the San Diego North Park neighborhood in 1939.
He entered San Diego City College in 1954, and completed BA and Masters degrees from San Diego State University by 1966.