The Bleasher/Blacher/Blatcher Family History

Phillip Blatcher, son of Jim and Liza Bleasher, and Emma Cotton, daughter of Peter and Frances Cotton, were legally married on October 6, 1880 in West Feliciana Parish of Louisiana. To this union 13 children were born, and from those children many generations of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and so on.

For those that have questions or inquiries about the family name spellings there have been many stories of why the name spelling changed, but we will give you the documented version. The first spelling BLEASHER dates back to early 1880 and prior in West Feliciana Parish, where young Phillip, before marriage, had this spelling with his family members. 

After 1880 all family in the West Feliciana Parish surname was spelled BLACHER. This spelling is documented until the early 1900's even with some family that moved to Orleans Parish. In 1910, Phillip is residing in New Orleans still using the Blacher surname.

After 1920 is when you will find name differences, BLACHER and BLATCHER. Phillip and his brother William, both residing in Orleans Parish, have taken on the BLATCHER spelling, whereas the other relatives of Phillip in West Feliciana Parish, continued with the BLACHER spelling. By 1930, Phillip and Emma are residing in Illinois with some of their children, whereas Robert and Charles were the only two of the 13 children to continue residing in Louisiana (Orleans Parish).