Dear ghostgirl,
Do you have any names of your uncles that came here to the States in the 1880's? I do have quite a bit of information available on my line from that time period - i might be able to give you some leads.
I too find that the most interesting stories from my family come from the lesser-known people. My grandpa for instance, Roland Burt, served in the US Army in WWII in the 97th Infantry Division. He took part in the Ruhr Pocket campaign and the final push across southern Germany during the last weeks of the war. His division was instrumental in securing Flossenburg Concentration Camp as well as burying the dead found there. It's amazing the things you can find out from family when you just ask.