This Girotti family history is based on the descendants of Giovanni and Annia (nee Giovannini) Girotti and focuses on their American experience as little is known about the family prior to their immigration. It appears Giovanni, Annia and their eldest daughter, Lena, entered the U.S. sometime in 1888. The family’s first recorded appearance in the United States occurred in 1900, when they were captured in that year’s federal census living in the town of Springfield, Illinois.

Over the course of the next 16 years, the family migrated throughout the Midwest seeking work. During this time, an additional eight children were born in various cities. Although their first movements are not documented, the order and localities of their children’s births indicate the Girotti’s lived in several cities prior to settling in Novinger.

The cities include the following:

1889 Illinois (birth of Mary M. Girotti)
1890 Clinton, Indiana (birth of Maggie Girotti)
1892 Osage, Kansas (birth of Rosa Girotti)
1894 Clinton, Indiana (birth of Joseph J. Girotti)
1896 Illinois (birth of John P. Girotti)
1898 Illinois (birth of Edith Girotti)
1899 Missouri (birth of James F. Girotti)
1902 Springfield, Illinois (birth of Willie Girotti)

Based on recorded events, it appears that between 1902 and 1904, the family settled in Novinger, Missouri. The events signifying this date are Giovanni Girotti’s 1904 charter membership in the Italian Tirolese Club, and Maggie Girotti’s 1904 entrance into the country (Ellis Island records indicated she was processed in 1904, accompanied by Andrea Chiarattino).