Troian Bellisario

Bellisario in 2011, Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com

Birth Name: Troian Avery Bellisario

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: October 28, 1985

Ethnicity:
*father – Italian, Serbian
*mother – African-American, Louisiana Creole [African, French, English]

Troian Bellisario is an American actress and singer. She is known for playing Spencer Hastings on the series Pretty Little Liars.

Her father, Donald Bellisario, is a television producer and screenwriter. Her mother, Deborah Pratt, is an actress, novelist, and television producer. Her half-brother is actor Michael Bellisario. Troian is married to Canadian actor Patrick J. Adams, with whom she has two children.

Troian’s father is of Italian and Serbian descent. Troian’s maternal grandparents were both African-American and/or Louisiana Creole; of African-American and European, including French and English, descent. About her name, “Troian,” she has said, “It’s a family name. It was a surname on my father’s maternal side. It means “woman of Troy.”” The surname “Troian” exists in North Italy.

Troian’s father is pictured here. Troian’s mother is pictured here.

Her step-siblings are actor Sean Murray and producer Chad W. Murray.

Troian’s paternal grandfather was Albert Jethro Bellisario (the son of Giuseppe/Guiseppe “Joseph” Bellisario and Maria Luigia/Luiga Troian). Albert was born in Pennsylvania, to Italian parents. Giuseppe was born in Gamberale, Province of Chieti, Abruzzo, the son of Antonio Bellisario and Teresa Domenica D’Angelo/D’Andrea. Maria was born in Sospirolo, Belluno, Veneto, the daughter of Antonio Troian and Agata De Zanet.

Troian’s paternal grandmother was Dana Lapčević (the daughter of Samuel Paul Lapčević and Anna J. Dobrich). Dana was born in Pennsylvania, to Serbian parents. Anna was born in Kovacevac.

Troian’s maternal grandfather was Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt (the son of Richard Edward Pratt and Theresa Cecilia/Cecelia Coates/Coats). Bertram was born in Alabama. His family was from Mobile in that state. Bertram and his parents were both black. They are listed as either “Mulatto” (mixed race) or “Negro” (black) on U.S. Censuses. Richard was the son of Major Lankford and Priscilla Tartt. Theresa was the daughter of William Coates and Elizabeth Whitehead.

Troian’s maternal grandmother was Geraldine Marion Bryant (the daughter of Lincoln Joseph Bryant and Mabel Avery). Geraldine was born in Louisiana. Lincoln and Mabel were both black. Lincoln was born in Louisiana, the son of Aismene/Andrew Joseph Bryant and Camille Dunn/Decuir. Mabel was born in Louisiana, the daughter of Lavina/Lavinia Goeffney/Gafney, and, evidently, of a white man named John Leeds Avery. U.S. censuses list Lincoln and both of his parents as “Mulatto” (mixed race) or “Negro” (black), and Mabel as “Negro” (black).

Sources: Genealogies of Troian Bellisario – http://gw.geneanet.org
http://www.wikitree.com
https://www.geni.com

Obituaries of Troian’s paternal grandparents, Albert Jethro Bellisario and Dana (Lapčević) Bellisario – http://www.findagrave.com

Death record of Troian’s paternal great-grandfather, Giuseppe/Guiseppe “Joseph” Bellisario – https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com

Marriage announcement of Troian’s maternal grandparents, Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt and Geraldine Marion Bryant – http://www.newspapers.com

Troian’s maternal grandfather, Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt, on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Obituary of Troian’s maternal grandfather, Col. Bertram Roberson Pratt – http://articles.chicagotribune.com

Troian’s maternal grandmother, Geraldine Marion Bryant, on the 1940 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Troian’s maternal great-grandfather, Lincoln Joseph Bryant, on the 1910 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Lincoln Joseph Bryant on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org