Helen Batters's Page

Tell us a little about yourself

My Father's Father emigrated to Troy NY as a young child with his mother and father in 1864. So my grandfater, Robert Batters, age 3, came with his parents Robert Batters and Mary Looby Batters. My grandfather Robert Batters grew up in Troy and became a policeman. He married Alice Purcell who was the first US born child her Irish family. So then Robert and Alice Batters had 5 children one being my father Thomas Batters born in 1893. Thomas (my dad) did not get married until age 50 - due to the fact that he became a NYS Trooper and married my Mom as he retired. She was 25. They had 4 children during my Dad's 50's and I was the 3rd born in 1950. Sp my father was 57 when I was born and I am now 57 and it is unusual to go back to 1861 (my grandfather Robert Batters) in just two generations. I am 50 percent Irish since my Mom has no Irish blood.

What's your Irish link?

Grandparent/s

What's your first language?

english

What does your Irishness mean to you?

To be proud, of my heritage and of course want to visit Ireland some day.

I also have the gift of gab.

What interests would you like to share with other people

I am tracing the family roots and I live near Troy, NY where there is a group called Troy Irish Genealogy Society. I have learned a lot especially that many people came to Troy to work in the Cast Iron business which was booming after the civil war. Many came from Emly, County Tipperary. I have a link to grave sites for the Batters family there.

Do you have a website or club that you want to let others know about?

Troy Irish Genealogy Society
www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nytigs