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.