Welcome to my new Betterley/Betterly surname board. We've been making great progress on this surname, and I owe big thanks to so many people. Please use this board to post your query or share whatever you have found that other Betterley/Betterly researchers may find interesting.

The History of Brookline, New Hampshire indicates that the early Betterley family history is sketchy but states that three brothers arrived in America in the early 18th century. The Marriage Index: Massachusetts, 1633-1850 (FTM CD 231) shows that Thomas Betterley married Elizabeth Alden (great grandaughter of John and Priscilla Alden) on 26 Jul 1720 at King's Chapel in Boston, MA. Mayflower Wills and Probate Records shows an Elizabeth Betterley as heir and descendant of John Alden, Jr. Jack Betterly of Troy, NY has in his records that Thomas arrived at about the age of eighteen months with his mother, Elizabeth. This could very well have been before 1700. I've found thus far that all Betterleys that can trace their family to colonial America can trace it to Thomas Betterley and Elizabeth Alden.

Mayflower Births and Deaths, Vol. 1 shows Thomas Betterly, b. 17 Nov 1723 in Boston, MA, as the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Betterly. The Suffolk VR CD-ROM from Search and ReSearch lists his marriage to Elizabeth Carson on 6 Apr 1749 in Boston, MA. Thomas and his wife were the parents of (apparently) two daughters named Elizabeth. Two of their sons served during the Revolutionary War. They were Thomas, who moved to Newfane Twp, Windham Co, VT, and William, who moved to Sugarloaf/Butler Twp, Luzerne Co, PA. Another son, George, moved to Woodstock, VT and then Brookline, NH.