Italian Roots

I am seeking the origins of my Italian family. My great grandmother, Ada Nicolini was born in Italy and immigrated to the United States in about 1874. The family was Catholic.

It is said that her family was sought by the "black hand", the precursor of the Mafia. They came to the US to escape. On the boat here they gave their daughter, Ada, to the Clem Studebaker family for her safety. If this story is true, it would imply that they were from Sicily or southern Italy as that is where the "black hand" was active during the late 19th century (from my understanding). One of my Cragen cousins thought that the family may have been from Genoa which is in northern Italy. I've learned not to put too much faith in family legend.

1874 is before the huge Italian immigration to the US. There were only about 4000 people from Italy to immigrate that year - compared to over 250,000 in 1906.

I found an Italian family in the 1880 census that I believe is ours.

June 21, 1880 Marshall Co. German Township, Bremen Town; ED101; pg40; ln4
163 South Street Bremen, Ind.

Louis and wife Louisetta Nicol - living with their 6 children and his 2 brothers. Louis is age 45; married; works as a laborer; he and both parents born in Italy. Louisetta is age 25; married; keeping house; she and both parents born in Italy. Children listed are:
Addie 10 (born in Italy), Mary 8 (Italy), Charlotte 6 (Indiana), Charlie 4 (Indiana), Agustav 2 (Indiana), Thomas 6 mo. (Indiana).

Louis' two brothers are Antoine age 22; single; works on railroad; he and both parents born in Italy and Ruberto age 20; single; works on railroad; he and both parents born in Italy.


The 1900 census says Ada came to the US in 1876. According to the children's births, that puts them here after 1873.

I have not been able to find any Nicol/Nicolini families in Bremen in the 1900 or later census records.

I believe that Louis is not an Italian name but that his name was likely Luigi Nicolini or Niccolini

I have not been able to verify any of these family members on any immigration passenger lists. The closest I have found is a Luigi and an Antoino near the correct ages traveling together on the steamship, "The Queen" in 1872. They originated in Italy but are sailing from Le Havre, France (apparently this was a common embarkation point from Italy for the US). Luigi is listed as age 34 and a laborer. Antoinio is listed as a child, aged 10. They arrived December 12, 1872.

I am traveling to Italy in the spring. I would very much like to know Ada's birth place before we go.

The Schmidt Family

My grandmother Leona's parents were Ada Nicolini and Jacob Schmidt. They were married in St. Joseph County, Indiana, listed on the marriage license as Jacob H. Schmidt and Ada Lee. The license was issued on 2 Sept 1889. They were married on 11 Sept. 1889 by Reverend D. Showley, Minister of the Gospel.

Jacob was born in 1867 in Alsace - Lorraine. He considered himself French, spoke fluent French, and would sing the French national anthem. However, he was blond with blue eyes and his name was Schmidt so was likely German in part. He was raised Lutheran.

Jacob embarked at Bremen with his parents and arrived in New York October 11, 1872. He became a naturalized citizen. His father, also Jacob Schmidt (born 1847 in Prussia), was naturalized October 2, 1884 at Crown Point, Indiana.

Jacob worked in a foundry as a painter and paper hanger. From family tradition, it is said Jacob was a bootlegger, making flour sugar whiskey in Breman.

Jacob's brother, Alfred, was on the Board of Trade in Chicago in 1918. Their father built the first Lutheran cathedral in Chicago. Their sister, Devore, was an actress in Chicago.

Ada was born in Italy. Ada also came to the United States as a child, in about 1876. She was raised Catholic. I will write more about Ada's family in the next post.

Ada and Jacob had 8 children:
Jacob Henry -1889
Mary Louise - 4/21/1891
Charles - 1892-1903
Consula Verna (Luella) - 9/25/1896
Adelaide - 2/26/1898
Leona Lavona - 1900
Paul David - 1905
Ruth (died young)

Ada and Jacob are listed in the 1900 census as "Ida and Jacob Smith".
June 6, 1900 Marshall Co. German Township, Bremen Town, Indiana.

The are living with their 5 children. Ada born in Aug. 1870; age 29; married for 10 yrs; 6 children born; 5 still living; she and both parents born in Italy; year of immigration: 1876; #years in US: 24; can read/write/speak English.

Jacob born in Jan. 1866; age 34; married for 10 yrs; he and both parents born in Germany; year of immigration: 1868; #years in US: 27; Naturalized citizen; painter; no unemployment; can read/write/speak English; Owned house with mortgage.


In the 1910 census, the family is still in Bremen. They now have 6 children at home and a boarder.

Jacob is listed as age 48; second marriage for 20 yrs; he and both parents born in Germany, speaks German; immigration: 1868; Naturalized citizen; English language; worked as painter in the foundry; no unemployment; can read/write/speak English; own house free. Lived at 58 Whitlock Street Bremen, Ind. Enumerated as Jacob H. Smith. Their boarder, John Coin was 23, from Austria in 1848 and worked as a 'moulder' at a foundry.

Ada is listed with her husband, 6 children and boarder. Age 37; married for 20 yrs; she and both parents born in Italy, speaks Italian; immigration: 1874; English language; 'keeps boarders in our home'; no unemployment; can read/write/speak English. Lives at 58 Whitlock St. Enumerated as Ida Smith.





Jacob and Ada died in the 1918 flu epidemic. They are buried in Bremen - Driveway 3, about 2nd plot in, going north. The dates say: 1867 - 1918 and 1870 - 1918. There are two other graves at the site, Charles 1892-1903 who was killed in a grain elevator, and infant David Moore 1909 (probably the son of Louise Schmidt Moore).

The family says that Jacob died one month and two days after his wife. It was said that he died of a broken heart.