The revelation of the late Don's Italian ancestry, of which even the Don Bradman Museum was unaware, comes in a book on Danero's quirky life by author Lina Moffitt.

Ms Moffitt told The Daily Telegraph the link was extraordinary and showcased the depth of multiculturalism in Australia.

"It will come as a shock to most people because most would think Bradman came from a long English line, considering he was such a gifted cricketer. Cricket is not a sport you associate with Italy," she said.

Born in the bustling Italian port of Genoa, Danero sailed the world from the age of 12 before coming to Australia as a free settler, where he turned his hand to hotels, holding the licence for the Old Black Dog Hotel in Sydney's The Rocks and Burwood's Bath Arms.

But business was not the only thing Danero excelled at – he fathered 25 children and outlived three wives.

On September 4, 1871, Danero's daughter Sophia Jane Neich, whom he fathered illegitimately, gave birth to Emily Whatman – the mother of Don Bradman.

As Danero, who was well groomed and very popular with the ladies, fathered children into his late 70s, four of Bradman's great aunts and uncles are still alive.

One of those aunts, Veronica Lees, and her son Anthony said yesterday it was wonderful to be connected to two amazing men.

"It is quite unbelievable really. I used to brag a bit to my old school mates of my Bradman heritage," Anthony, a chartered accountant, said.

"I guess only Don's close family would know about his Italian connections. When I was a little boy, my family used to tell me many stories about my great grandfather.

"He was a great man and an accomplished man, just like his famous great grandson."

The family home of Danero, who died in 1893, 15 years before Bradman was born, still stands at Concord and is heritage-listed by the National Trust.

DailyTelegraph