I too have Ballas' in my direct line. I was born in the late 60's.

Michael Ballas was my 2nd great grandfather:
b. 1852 - 1905 b. Austria d. Windber, PA m. Mary Potacki / Paloski

Susan Ballas was my great grandmother:
b. 1891 in PA. d. 1970 in CA m. Adam Kohler 1890-1929 both buried in PA

Isabel Kohler was my grandmother:
b 1913 in Windber PA d. 1978 in Mineola, NY m. John M. Steele 1906-1985

I would love to find others who are descendants of the Ballas line and to find out more about the parents of Michael and of his wife Mary.