Jordyn Taylor
Taylor, Trevor Noah – 2017 MTV Movie and TV Awards – Arrivals and Press Room – The Shrine Auditorium – Los Angeles, CA, USA – Photo Credit: PRPhotos.com
Birth Name: Jordyn Taylor Braff
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: November 14, 1990
Ethnicity: Filipino, Mexican, likely some Chinese, Austrian, other
Jordyn Taylor is an American singer, songwriter, and model.
She has ancestors from the Philippines, Mexico, and Austria. She is also sometimes said to have Albanian and African-American roots. It is not clear if this is accurate. She likely also has Chinese ancestry, through the surname Quizon.
Jordyn’s paternal grandfather was Harry Canlas Braff (the son of Samuel Braff and Irene Canlas). Harry was born in the Philippines. Samuel was American. He was an Austrian immigrant to the U.S., and was the son of Joseph Braff; he may been Jewish. Irene was a Filipina. Her parents had the surnames Canlas and Quizon.
Jordyn’s paternal grandmother was named Lily/Lilia Arnado. Lily was born in the Philippines.
Jordyn’s maternal grandfather was the son of David Flores Valdez and Anita Martinez. Jordyn’s grandfather was born in New Mexico, of Mexican descent. David was the son of Jesus M. Valdez and Franinquita/Franquisita/Francisca.
Sources: Obituary of Jordyn’s paternal great-aunt – https://www.dignitymemorial.com
Obituary of Jordyn’s paternal great-grandfather, Samuel Braff – https://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Jordyn’s maternal great-grandfather, David Flores Valdez – https://www.familysearch.org
This is apparently her blog, where she has written: “I am of European descent especially Albanian and of American descent.” Other articles has mentioned African-American, specifically.
http://jordyntaylornow.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-4.html
She is clearly not primarily of any of those ethnicities (if what I’ve found is accurate). So I’m not sure it’s her actual words.
I got her maternal great-grandfather from an obituary of her great-grandmother that I can’t access (but I managed to read some of the text anyways). Could someone find out who her maternal grandparents were? Any Albanian or African-American origins?
https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/157046961/
Also, her likely American great-grandfather should be found. Assuming he didn’t change his name (which is possible), these people might be him (both have their roots in Austria, like Zach Braff’s ancestors, but I don’t know if they were Jewish or not):
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6QT-2QF
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6QT-25W
The obituary reads:
“VALDEZ Mrs. Anita M. Valdez, 84, a resident of Albuquerque for 50 years, and formerly of Abo, New Mexico, passed away Friday after a short illness. Mrs. Valdez is survived by her husband, David F. Valdez; five sons, Rubert Valdez and wife, Beatrice J., Jose Euvaldo Valdez and wife, Helen, Lawrence M. Valdez and wife, Lorl, David Orlando Valdez and Juan N. Valdez and wife, Marcia; one daughter, Jessie Bernice Vigil and husband, Leo; one brother, F’lavio Martinez and wife, Lupita; one sister, Clarinda Guil-lory and husband, David; 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Valdez was a member of the St. Anne Catholic Church. Visitation wiil be Sunday, from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Garcia Mortuary Chapel. A Rosary will be recited Sunday, 7:00 p.m., at the St. Anne Catholic Church. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, from the St, Anne Catholic cnurch, wnere Mass win be ceieDraieti at iu:uu a.m. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Robert Valdez, Leonard Vigil, Mark Valdez, David Valdez, Thomas Valdez and Paul Valdez. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters, Veronica Thurston, Agnes Rivera, Gina Dion, Elayne Braff, Cecilia Valdez and Marlene Valdez. Interment will be at the Mr. Calvary Cemetery.”