Nichols Family Genealogy & History

Terry Lynn Nichols, born on April 1, 1955, is an American domestic terrorist known for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing alongside Timothy McVeigh. Convicted of conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction and multiple counts of murder, Nichols is serving life imprisonment without the possibility of parole at ADX Florence. The bombing resulted in 168 fatalities. Nichols had a varied career, working as a farmer, real estate salesman, and grain elevator manager before his criminal activities. His connection with McVeigh began during his brief U.S. Army service, where they bonded over shared interests like gun collecting and survivalism.

Terry Nichols was born in Lapeer, Michigan, and grew up on a farm as the third of four children to Joyce and Robert Nichols. He assisted with farm operations and nurtured injured animals in his early life. Nichols attended Lapeer High School and later enrolled at Central Michigan University. Despite his ambitions to become a physician, his path diverged due to personal and family circumstances.

Mike Nichols, originally Igor Mikhail Peschkowsky, was a celebrated American film and theatre director and comedian. Known for his versatility across genres, Nichols achieved the prestigious EGOT status, winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards. His illustrious career highlights include directing Broadway hits like "Barefoot in the Park" and films such as "The Graduate," which earned him an Academy Award. Nichols's work garnered 42 Academy Award nominations, with seven wins, solidifying his legacy in entertainment.

Nichols was born in Berlin, Germany, to Brigitte Claudia Landauer and Pavel Peschkowsky, a physician of Russian-Jewish descent. His maternal grandparents were anarchist theorist Gustav Landauer and author Hedwig Lachmann. Nichols's family fled Nazi Germany, settling in New York City in 1939.

Nichelle Nichols, born Grace Dell Nichols, was a pioneering American actress, singer, and dancer renowned for her role as Uhura in "Star Trek." Her groundbreaking portrayal was significant for African American actresses on television. Nichols also contributed to NASA, promoting diversity in the astronaut corps. Her career spanned stage, film, and television, with performances in "Porgy and Bess" and work with icons like Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. A conversation with Martin Luther King Jr. persuaded her to remain on "Star Trek," emphasizing the importance of her character as a role model during the civil rights era.

Nichols was born in Robbins, Illinois, to Samuel Earl Nichols, a factory worker and town mayor, and Lishia (Parks) Nichols, a homemaker. She was the third of six children in her family.

Austin Nichols, born on April 24, 1980, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a prominent American actor and director, celebrated for his significant roles in television and film. Notably, he portrayed Julian Baker in The CW's "One Tree Hill" and Spencer Monroe in AMC's "The Walking Dead." Nichols also starred in "The Day After Tomorrow," "Wimbledon," and HBO's "John from Cincinnati." His career began after a chance encounter at the Sundance Film Festival, leading to roles in "Six Feet Under" and "The Utopian Society," showcasing his versatile acting talent.

Nichols was named after the Austin Nichols distilling company and grew up in Austin, Texas. His father, David Nichols, is a radiologist, and his mother, Kay (née Vermeulen), was a champion trick water skier. He has one older sister, Ashley.