I dont understand all the details about the relationship between people and place names. Certainly, when people state categorically 'the name xxxxx originated in place YYYY" - be skeptical, because the reality of these things is SO much more complicated. But it is probably relevant that there is a local place name, Keith, which is a railway station and (market?) town just to the east of the Spey river. I suspect this wasn't Invernessshire, but its the same neck of the woods. So if I were you my first move would be to head for www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk and check for both KEETH and KEITH. Registration started a bit later than you have been told - 1855 - but there are earlier records based on the old parish records. Have a look at the background info pages. If Julia or a sibling died in Scotland post 1855 then of course you can look for a death record, which will give parents names - accuracy dependant on memory and who was asked of course. Judy ---------- >From: [email protected] >To: [email protected] >Subject: [SCT-INV] KEETH Family >Date: 24, Tue Feb, 2004, 3:08 pm > > My great grandmother, Julia Emily Keeth, was born in Inverness or > Inverness-shire in 1840, according to some old family notes.