William Betham
Encyclopedia
Sir William Betham was an English herald and antiquarian, the Ulster King of Arms
from 1820 until his death in 1853. He had previously served as the Deputy Ulster from 1807 to 1820.
on 22 May 1779, the eldest son of the Reverend William Betham
and Mary Damant. He was knighted in 1812.
Betham took an active part in the proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy
, from the period of his admission to it as a member in 1820. He became one of its governing body, acted as secretary, and made contributions to its publications.
He died suddenly on 26 October 1853 at his home in Rockford, County Dublin
, having spent the previous day writing letters at the Office at Arms. He is buried in Carrickbrennan Churchyard
at Monkstown, County Dublin.
from 1536–1800 and formed them into chart pedigrees. He worked on these Will Pedigrees for eighteen years, from 30 November 1808 until 21 October 1826. Most of the prerogative wills of Ireland were then destroyed in the Public Records Office fire at Four Courts
in Dublin during the Irish Civil War
on 13 April 1922; Betham's work provided a valuable substitute for these lost records.
Betham’s original notebooks are now in the National Archives of Ireland
and the Genealogical Office, Dublin has his sketch pedigrees based on his will abstracts.
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is one of the senior Officers of Arms of the College of Arms, and the junior of the two provincial Kings of Arms. The current office is the combination of two former appointments...
from 1820 until his death in 1853. He had previously served as the Deputy Ulster from 1807 to 1820.
Life
Betham was born at Stradbrook in SuffolkSuffolk
Suffolk is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in East Anglia, England. It has borders with Norfolk to the north, Cambridgeshire to the west and Essex to the south. The North Sea lies to the east...
on 22 May 1779, the eldest son of the Reverend William Betham
William Betham (antiquary)
William Betham was an English clergyman and antiquary, known for his work on the baronetage.-Life:He was born at Little Strickland, near Morland, Westmoreland, on 17 May 1749. He was educated at the public school of Bampton, was ordained in 1773, apparently without graduating at a university, and...
and Mary Damant. He was knighted in 1812.
Betham took an active part in the proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy
Royal Irish Academy
The Royal Irish Academy , based in Dublin, is an all-Ireland, independent, academic body that promotes study and excellence in the sciences, humanities and social sciences. It is one of Ireland's premier learned societies and cultural institutions and currently has around 420 Members, elected in...
, from the period of his admission to it as a member in 1820. He became one of its governing body, acted as secretary, and made contributions to its publications.
He died suddenly on 26 October 1853 at his home in Rockford, County Dublin
County Dublin
County Dublin is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Dublin Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the city of Dublin which is the capital of Ireland. County Dublin was one of the first of the parts of Ireland to be shired by King John of England following the...
, having spent the previous day writing letters at the Office at Arms. He is buried in Carrickbrennan Churchyard
Carrickbrennan Churchyard
Carrickbrennan Churchyard located on Carrickbrennan Road, Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland is a graveyard that can still be seen today, but is no longer in use. It is notable as the burial place of many people who perished in local maritime disasters...
at Monkstown, County Dublin.
Works
In his own hand, Betham took genealogical notes from virtually all of the prerogative wills of IrelandIreland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
from 1536–1800 and formed them into chart pedigrees. He worked on these Will Pedigrees for eighteen years, from 30 November 1808 until 21 October 1826. Most of the prerogative wills of Ireland were then destroyed in the Public Records Office fire at Four Courts
Four Courts
The Four Courts in Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's main courts building. The Four Courts are the location of the Supreme Court, the High Court and the Dublin Circuit Court. The building until 2010 also formerly was the location for the Central Criminal Court.-Gandon's Building:Work based on...
in Dublin during the Irish Civil War
Irish Civil War
The Irish Civil War was a conflict that accompanied the establishment of the Irish Free State as an entity independent from the United Kingdom within the British Empire....
on 13 April 1922; Betham's work provided a valuable substitute for these lost records.
Betham’s original notebooks are now in the National Archives of Ireland
National Archives of Ireland
The National Archives of Ireland is the official repository for the state records of the Republic of Ireland. Established by the National Archives Act 1986, it came into existence in 1988, taking over the functions of the State Paper Office and the Public Record Office of Ireland. The National...
and the Genealogical Office, Dublin has his sketch pedigrees based on his will abstracts.