1. Jean-Baptiste Bara dit Le Blond

Residence: 16 April 1730, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Evidence: Glenn R. Conrad, The First Families of Louisiana (Baton Rouge: Claitor's Publishing Division, 1970), Vol. I, p. 8 & Vol. II, p. 31; Jean-Baptiste Bénard de La Harpe, The Historical Journal of the Establishment of the French in Louisiana (Lafayette, LA: Center for Louisiana Studies, University of Southwestern Louisiana, 1971), pp. 77-78. Jean Barrat is found among a group of "concessionairies and their people" who embarked at La Rochelle, 23 May 1718, on the flute La Marie for the Louisiana colony. The party arrived at Dauphine Island, 18 August 1718.
     Bill Barron (ed.), Census of Pointe Coupée, Louisiana, 1745 (New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1978), p. 14; Winston DeVille & Drouet W. Vidrine, "Spanish Census Pointe Coupée — 1766," Louisiana Genealogical Register 7 (September 1960): 33. In the "Census of Inhabitants of Louisiana," dated 1 January 1726, Jean Bara appears in the Natchez area with a wife and four arpents of cleared land. Jean and his 1st wife, Ann Plaine, were in the Parish of New Orleans, 16 April 1730, for the baptism of their son, Jean Barras. "J.-Bte. Bara, called Le Blond," age 46, is listed with his 2nd wife, Marie Barbe Pauque, age 18, in the census of Pointe Coupée, 1766.

Baptism: 13 March 1700 Jouy, Champagne [now Jouy-les-Reims, Marne], France.

Evidence: Copy of baptismal record supplied by the mayor of Jouy-les-Reims; confirmed at the Archives Départmentales de la Marne (Châlons-en-Champagne), "Les registres de Jouy-les-Reims, 1676-1792," Book 2E 355/1.

Buried: 9 April 1782 (age 80 years), St. Francis Church cemetery, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Burial, Archives of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (PCP 2-222).

Married 1st to: Anne Pleine, before 16 April 1730, at either New Orleans or Pointe Coupée, Louisiana.

Evidence: Sacramental Records of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Vol. 1, 1718-1750 (New Orleans: Archdiocese of New Orleans, 1987), p. 10 (citing AN, B 1730, 112). Jean Bara and Anne Pleine are listed as parents at the baptism of Anne Bara, born 16 April 1730.

Married 2nd to: Marie Barbe Poche [Pock] of Des Allemands, 5 February 1743 Pointe Coupêe, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage, Archives of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (PCP-1, 43 & PCP-2, part 1, 24); Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 1 (1707-1769) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1978), pp. 140 & 205.

Married 3rd to: Marie Jeanne De Lattre of New Orleans, 13 June 1761 Pointe Coupêe, Louisiana.

Evidence: Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 1 (1707-1769) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1978), pp. 140 & 161 (citing PCP-3, 79 & PCP-1, 215).

NOTE: The following Generations #2-5 from Jean-Baptiste Bara & his 2nd wife, Marie Barbe Pock, describe the descent of Dr. Stanley J. Barras.

2. Antoine Bara

Evidence of Relationship to #1: Certificate of Baptism, Archives of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 1 (1707-1769) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1978), p. 140. The certificate names his parents as Jean Bara and Marie Barbe Pock.

Birth: 26 November 1757 Point Coupêe, Louisiana.

Evidence: Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 1 (1707-1769) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1978), p. 140 (citing PCP-1, 182 & PCP-3, 19).

Death: No death record has yet been located.

Married to: Julie Patin, 9 May 1784 St. Martinville, Louisiana.

Evidence: Donald J. Hébert, South Louisiana Records, Vol. 1 (1756-1810) (Eunice, LA: Hébert Publications, 1974), p. 23 (citing SM Ch.: v.2, #161 & SM Ct. Hse: OA-4-24).

3. Jean Valerie Bara

Evidence of Relationship to #2: Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 2 (1770-1803) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 64 (citing ASM-1, 154). The baptismal certificate of Juan Valerio Barra names his parents as Antonio Barra and Julia Patin.

Birth: 8 March 1800 Plattenville, Louisiana

Evidence: Certificate of Baptism, Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 2 (1770-1803) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 64 (citing ASM-1, 154).

Death: No death record has yet been located.

Married to: Melissire Imel [Hymel], 6 September 1819 Plattenville, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage, Archives of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (ASM-7, 62); Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 3 (1804-1819) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 64 (citing ASM-1, 154).

4. Julien J. Barras

Evidence of Relationship to #3: Certificate of Marriage, Archives of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (SMI-11, 113); Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 8 (1853-1857) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1988), pp. 40 & 312-13. (citing ASM-1, 154). The certificate of his marriage to Nezelda Keller, 22 July 1856, names his parents as Valeri Baras and Melissere Hymelle.

Birth: 9 February 1830 Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Evidence: While a birth or baptism record has not been found for Julien Barras, one was found for Julienne Barras which includes the correct parents. It is very likely that this is Julien with a misspelled name. Partial confirmation comes from the names of the children subsequently born to this couple. Also, the death certificate for Julien Barras, dated 26 November 1871, gives his age as 41 years, 9 months, i.e., a birth date of February 1830.

Death: 26 November 1871 Thibodaux, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Death, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Donald J. Hébert, South Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Lafourche-Terrebonne Parishes, Vol. 4 (1861-1870) *Eunice, LA: Hébert Publications, 1979), p. 28 (citing Thib. Ch.: v.2, p. 398, #29).

Married to: Nazelda Keller, 22 July 1856 St. Michael Church, Convent, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage, Archives of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana (SMI-11, 113); Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 8 (1853-1857) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1988), pp. 40 & 312-13. (citing ASM-1, 154).

5. Louis Stanislaus Barras [baptized as "Stanley Louis Julien Barras," but called "Stanley Louis Baras, Sr."]

Evidence of Relationship to #3: Certificate of Baptism, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Donald J. Hébert, South Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Lafourche-Terrebonne Parishes, Vol. 4 (1861-1870) *Eunice, LA: Hébert Publications, 1979), p. 43 (citing Thib. Ch.: v.6, #98). His baptismal record names his parents as Julien Barras and Nesilda Keller

Birth: 23 December 1864 Bayou Black, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. [NOTE: The specific location of Bayou Black was supplied by this individual to his grandson, the submitter.]

Evidence: Certificate of Baptism, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux; Donald J. Hébert, South Louisiana Records: Church and Civil Records of Lafourche-Terrebonne Parishes, Vol. 4 (1861-1870) *Eunice, LA: Hébert Publications, 1979), p. 43 (citing Thib. Ch.: v.6, #98).

Death: 7 December 1957 Metairie, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Death, Vital Records Registry, Louisiana, 16 December 1957.

Married to: Bertha Henning, 27 June 1900 Algiers, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage, Vital Records Registry, Louisiana, 19 December 1986.

NOTE: The following Generations #2-5 from Jean-Baptiste Bara & his 3rd wife, Marie Jeanne De Lattre, describe the descent of Richard Joseph Barra.

2. Nicolas Bara

Evidence of Relationship to #1: Certificate of Baptism, 24 March 1771, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 2 (1770-1803) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 64 (citing PCP-4, 65). His baptismal certificate names his parents as Jean Bara and Marie Jeanne Delattre.

Birth: 28 February 1771 Pointe Coupée, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Baptism, 24 March 1771, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 2 (1770-1803) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 64 (citing PCP-4, 65). His baptismal certificate provides his date of birth.

Death: 26 December 1819 Pointe Coupée, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Death, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 3 (1804-1819) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1982), p. 67 (citing PCP-5, 64).

Married to: Françoise Eulalie Chustz, 9 July 1801 St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage, Archives of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 2 (1770-1803) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 64 & 189 (citing PCP-7, 128).

3. Jean Ovide Barras

Evidence of Relationship to #2: Certificate of Baptism, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 2 (1770-1803) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 59 (citing PCP-7, 150). His baptismal record names his parents as Nicolas Bara and Françoise Eulalie Chustz.

Baptism: 4 September 1802 New Roads, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Baptism, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 2 (1770-1803) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1980), p. 59 (citing PCP-7, 150).

Death: 19 June 1876 Pointe Coupée, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Death, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 13 (1874-1876) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1993), p. 42 (citing PCP-11, 245).

Married to: Marie Heloise [Eloise] Decuir, 23 June 1825 Pointe Coupée, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 4 (1820-1829) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1983), pp. 39 & 159 (citing PCP-19, 206).

4. Alexandre Bara

Evidence of Relationship to #3: Certificate of Baptism, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 6 (1840-1847) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1986), p. 48 (citing PCP-10, 72). His baptismal certificate names his parents as Ovide Bara and Heloize Decuir.

Baptism: 6 November 1845 New Roads, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Baptism, St. Francis Church, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 6 (1840-1847) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1986), p. 48 (citing PCP-10, 72).

Death: c.1885, but no death or interment record has yet been located.

Evidence: His son, Michel Albert Barra (born 1870 — SEE BELOW), was 14 or 15 years old when his father died; he was forced to leave school and take over support of the family. Alexandre is known to have been buried in Chenal Cemetery, Chenal, Louisiana.

Married 1st to: Philomene Connaire, 14 February 1865 Lakeland, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage, Immaculate Conception Church, Lakeland, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 10 (1863-1867) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1990), pp. 41 & 143 (citing IMCL-1, 117).

5. Michel Albert Bara

Evidence of Relationship to #3: Certificate of Baptism, Immaculate Conception Church, Lakeland, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 11 (1868-1870) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1991), p. 43 (citing IMCL-3, 168). His baptismal certificate names his parents as Alexandre Baras and Philomene Connaire.

Baptism: 29 March 1870 Lakeland, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Baptism, Immaculate Conception Church, Lakeland, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 11 (1868-1870) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 1991), p. 43 (citing IMCL-3, 168).

Death: 1962 New Orleans, Louisiana.

Evidence: Personal knowledge; submitter attended the funeral.

Married 1st to: Maria Cornelia Johnson, 17 Jan 1896 Maringouin, Louisiana.

Evidence: Certificate of Marriage #2-257, St. Joseph Church, Grosse Tete, Louisiana; Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Church Records, Vol. 20 (1895-1896) (Baton Rouge: Diocese of Baton Rouge, 2003), pp. 39 & 78 (citing SJGT-2, 257).

Although they do not contribute directly to demonstrating the qualifications of Jean-Baptiste Bara for the First Families of Louisiana program, readers may also be interested in the preceding three generations:

Jean Bara (father of Jean-Baptiste); Grape-grower (vigneron)
     Birth: c.1663 probably in Jouy-les-Reims, Champagne, France.
     Death: 25 April 1709 (age 46 years) Jouy-les-Reims, Champagne, France.
     Married to: Marie Quenisot [surname appears in Louisiana documents as Cuniso, Enniro, Lunco, and Lunzo], 30 August 1683 Bezannes, Champagne, France. She was born in Bezannes, Champagne, and died 9 November 1717 Jouy-les-Reims, Champagne, France.

Nicolas Bara (grandfather of Jean-Baptiste); Grape-grower (vigneron)
     Baptism: 2 March 1614 Jouy-les-Reims, Champagne, France.
     Death: before 30 August 1683 [place unknown].
     Married to: Liesse Aubry [date & place unknown]. She was born probably in Bezannes, Champagne.

Nicolas Bara (great-grandfather of Jean-Baptiste); occupation unknown.
     Birth: [date unknown] probably in Bezannes, Champagne, France.
     Death: [date & place unknown].
     Married to: Liesse Bondran [date & place unknown]. She was born probably in Bezannes, Champagne.

Evidence for these generations:
      Archives Départmentales de la Marne, Les registres de Bezannes, 1676-1792, Book 2E 64/1.
      Registres de Jouy-les-Reims, 1676-1792, Book 2E 355/1.
      Registres Villedommange (Paroisse Jouy) 1558-1709, Book 2E 736/1. [Records are missing for 1623-1673]

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Postal correspondence should be sent to:
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     ATTN: First Families of Louisiana Program
     PO Box 82060
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