James Kelly of County Meath married Mary Maher, a native of County Kilkenny, in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada in 1829. In the church record, his parents are listed as James Kelly and Margaret Beckive or Bective. I have found marriages for, I believe, his three brothers - Peter, Patrick and Michael. The mother's surname is written as Beckhof, Becket, and Backhof. Margaret and James, the parents, must have immigrated to Quebec too as I found a death for Margaret Backhoff, wife of James Kelly, in 1830 in Quebec. In searching the Tithe Applotments and Griffith's valuation, I couldn't find any surname for Margaret such as those listed above. I did find the name Betagh in the parishes of Teltown and Kells in Griffith's. I am wondering if it's possible that this may be Margaret's maiden name. If an Irish speaking person was telling a French Canadian priest her name, I think it could be that Betagh could sound like any of the above although I am not certain of the pronunciation in Ireland. I have read that the name has evolved into Beatty or Beattie. I am wondering if the name Betagh still exists in Ireland or if anyone has any knowledge of this name in County Meath. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Nevik47
Wednesday 18th Mar 2015, 01:48AMMessage Board Replies
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Hi Susan
There are no Betaghs in the Irish phone book but there are 14 in the 1821 Irish Census
http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/ - all in Meath:
Betagh William Navan 53 Navan Meath 52
Betagh Jane Navan 53 Navan Meath 30
Betagh William Navan 53 Navan Meath 21
Betagh Anne Navan 53 Navan Meath 23 Betagh
Margret Navan 53 Navan Meath 16
Betagh Jane Navan 53 Navan Meath 14
Betagh Mary Navan 53 Navan Meath 1
Betagh William Navantown 53 Navan Meath 52
Betagh Jane Navantown 53 Navan Meath 30
Betagh William Navantown 53 Navan Meath 21
Betagh Anne Navantown 53 Navan Meath 23
Betagh Margret Navantown 53 Navan Meath 16
Betagh Jane Navantown 53 Navan Meath 14
Betagh Mary Navantown 53 Navan Meath 0
Col
ColCaff, IrelandXO Volunteer ☘
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Thanks Col. Can you give me an idea of how the name might be pronounced? i.e. a hard or soft ending - such as Betogg or Betoff? Thanks again.
Nevik47
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Hi Pat,
Thank you for both of your posts. I will check out the sites you mentioned. I did notice that there were a couple of Betaghs in Roscommon when I was looking at Griffiths Valuation. It is an unusual surname so perhaps there is some connection there.
Thanks again.
Susan
Nevik47