BETT/BEAT Surname in Fife

[Clare Fowler]

Hi there,

Is anyone else researching the name BETT or BEAT in the Fife area.  I have been trying to trace my BETT ancestors in the area, but have just recently discovered that in some of the records they seem to have been transcribed as BEAT.  Before I go and spend a fortune on SP trying to trace them forwards, I was wondering if this 'misspelling' was an isolated incident or if BETT and BEAT were pretty much interchangeable for the family?  (I have this issue with another branch of my family that seem to change between Chambers and Chalmers!)

All help/thoughts appreciated 

Cheers,
Clare

[twiggypig]

Although I'm waiting for certificates to confirm exact locations, my gg-grandfather John Beat was born in Kingsbarns, Fife (1882) and his father, also John Beat was born (unconfirmed dates) and married in Kingsbarns, Fife in 1827 to a Janet Thompson.

I have no other info at the moment but by the 1851 census dates, John Jnr had moved to London which is where my grandfather was born in 1907.

If there is a possible connection with the Beat name, it would be good to hear from you.

Regards
Cheryl

[runner]

Hi Clare

Regarding variations in spelling of names.  The further back you go the greater the range of spelling you'll find. You will probably find BETTS/BETS/BEET/BEETS/BEAT/BEATS  as well as a few evn less likely ones.

There was NO standard spelling and what was written down depended on the Minister or Church Officer. Regional accents also influenced the way words were sounded.
On a recent search for the name Lapraik we found 26 variants on the name

Invent a few alternative spellings before you start a search then work through your list. Then do it all again with the fore name.

Happy hunting

Russell

[Clare Fowler]

Hi there,

Cherly - I will keep an eye out for your John, just in case I get a match.

Russell - I was hoping someone out there might be able to confirm that the 2 names were interchangeable, before I head off at a (completly wrong) tangent.  I think I will just have to go to NRH and see what I can find, as SP is costing too much

Cheers,
Clare

[FishMan]

Clare,

When researching my wife's family I was fortunate enough to find someone had listed 8-10 generations in an Ancestral File on the www.familysearch.org site. Among these were James BETT c. 1775 and daughter Elspeth BETT (1798-1868) of Kingsbarns, Fife. This site which is better known for the IGI is a worthwhile FREE starting point for any search. The more unusual the name the better as I found with AUCHTERLONIE.

FishMan