Watters in Louth-West Meath

Dear William

Welcome to Ireland Reaching Out and apologies for the delay in replying to your message. As you can see from the link below of Louth civil parishes, a number of Roman Catholic parishes are located in and around Dundalk, including the parishes of Louth, Collon, Dundalk, Tallanstown and Mansfieldstown:

http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/civilparish/index.cfm?fuseacti…;

Watters is indeed a common suranme around the Dundalk area specifically. There are some places where you can search online, however these websites do not have complete collections and many do not cover the period after 1900:

www.familysearch.org has a huge database of genealogical records including some church records for Ireland.

www.rootsireland.ie have a large collection of Irish Church records, however you have to pay to use this site.

Other important sources you could check for Watters ancestors include the Tithe Applotment Books and Griffith?s Valuation:

Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1837): http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/index.jsp

Griffith?s Valuation (1847-1864): http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/

Some other websites that may be helpful are:

The National Archives of Ireland: http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/  you can search the 1901/1911 Census on the National Archives page too

Louth County Archives: http://www.dundalktown.ie/adlib/Default.aspx

Irish Times: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/index.htm

Irish Genealogy Tool kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/

Remember to post any new information that you find here. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

Best of luck with your search

Clare Doyle

Genealogy Support 

Hello William, in doing reasearch on my ancestors I found your post. I believe my great great grandfather was the Edward Watters you are referring too. His parents were William and Maria (Dunn) Watters. In reading his autobiography he wrote for my grandmother, he was born in Dundalk, Louth County, Ireland in the fall of1830. In 1848 he came to the states. His son, William Watters, was the father of my grandmother Rosemary Watters Hamblock. Although I see your post was made 4 years ago, if you happen to get this reply we would love to chat more. -Lisa S. 

Lisa,  We hare definitely talking about the same person.  I also have a copy of the autobiography, which is where I got a lot of my information about him.  If you would like to exchange information I would welcome an email at williamo@winfirst.com ., which is my direct email.  I have travelled to Dundalk, which was a much larger city than I thought.  I am descended from Ed Watters daughter Mary who married John Walker.  Look foward to hearing from you!  Bill