Elio's father, Agostino, born 1859 Agnino, did not marry his wife Irene until after the birth of their second son. In 1898 he left for Brazil, abandoning his wife and three boys. He was a blacksmith so work was probably not the problem. The family never heard from him again until 1918 when they received word from the Italian consulate in Brazil that he had been beaten to death. By then the 3 sons and their mother had left Italy for Sacramento.

Elvira Rossi's first cousin, Mary, arrived the USA in August 12, 1906. She is listed on the ship's manifest as Maria Paolini. Shortly after her arrival, she married to Elio Novelli. She went to join her husband's family in Sacramento, California.

Mary is the Godmother to Jane Albini Cadd, daughter of her first cousin, Elvira Rossi Albini.