Hi
From your information I can tell that your mother and I have a mutual gg-grandfather: Michele Alessio Giovanni Caprani (1795-1843)He was born in Lombardy/Italy and came to Denmark around 1815; settled in the city of Kolding as a merchant, married a danish girl (Margrethe Hensemann)and had four children: Elise, Jens, Ane Agathe and Mads Peter. Elise who married Niels Lyse is your gg-grandmother. Mads Peter is my g-grandfather.
In 1873 Elise and Niels emigrated to Iowa together with three of their (at that time) 10 living children; seven children were left behind but before 1882 they were all gathered in Iowa and then .... set off for Wilbur WA. One child is missing though, I fear he died on the voyage from Denmark to America. Other members of the Lyse family emigrated to the US as well.
I've enclosed (hope it works) photos of Niels Ingversen Lyse's parents.
Looking forward to hearing from you..
All the best,
Mogens Caprani