Post-petrosino Italian Squad - Family Connection

[PCMarino]

This is my second post in The BH Forum & I want to thank Solilai for reaching out to me and encouraging me to post again. I am an avid researcher and budding historian of the history of policing in today's PD of Greater NYC. I read 7 listen to books, and have a knack for finding scholarly and "deep" websites with great primary source resources. I am fascinated by the history and my ancestor's connection with one chapter makes my interest all the more compelling!

My great-grandfather was one of the first Detective Sergeants in the PDNY. Immediately after graduating the Recruit Training School on December 24, 1913, he was (due to his having been born in Italy, Naturalized, his fluency in Italian, and his having resided as a boy and young man on Mulberry St., Bleecker St. (Greenwich Vg.)) immediately assigned to the Detective Division on "Special Assignment" as well as stints in uniform in various Manhattan Precincts. I am blessed to have photos of him, letters of commendation, memoranda, news articles, Patrol & Detective Memo Books, index cards on cases/arrests, post cards from his travels across the eastern USA on business (extraditions/investigations) and some equipment.

When I first received this heirloom treasure trove several years after his son (my grandfather who passed away in 1980 after having retired as a Sgt. from the 47 precinct in 1959) I was a young uniformed officer myself! I purchased & read Pitkin's book The Black Hand and didn't re-visit my family's PD history until a few years ago. Since that time, I've read dozens of books, including Mike Dash's works which are fascinating to me as I have a connection to many of the names he so well addressed in his books!

Taking baby steps here, with caution as I don't know the audience and the group's expectations, I thought i'd share a sampling of some (redacted for space as I see I can only upload one file!) items and assess the group's interest and response. Of note here is his involvement in the 9one) arrest of Ciro Terranova,

[Meatball]

PC, this really great stuff. Thank you for posting as I am a history nut.

It's very interesting and informative when people share stories with such a personal investment. Again, thank you.

I hope you will continue and post more terrific things that are very much appreciated.

[The Greek]

Great stuff thanks for posting!

[Sol]

Awesome stuff you got there PC. Glad your back. I'm not very good at reading cursive handwriting, could someone re write that first page, or try?......Soliai

[PCMarino]

Sure Solilai - In essence: Page 1- Nov 30, 1917 - at 4p,, arrested Ciro Terranova, 350 E. 116th St., (age) 32, W(hate), (born) Italy, Ice Dealer, Married, alias Morello, arrested at 5(th) St and 3rd Ave, charged with acting in concert with others, shooting and killing Giuseppe DeMarco and Charles Lombardo at 5;30pm, July 20, 1916, at 54 James St.

Second Page: Homicide, November 30, 1917, at 4;30pm, arrest Vincent Terranova, 350 E 116(th) St., (age) 24, W(hate), (born) Italy, Contractor, arrested 539rd St) and 8(th) Ave and charged with acting in concert with others shooting and killing Giuseppe DeMarco and Charles Lombardi at 5:30pm, July 20, (19)16 at 54 James St.

[PCMarino]

Three more pieces from the collection: Oresto SHILLITONI, Ciro TERRANOVA, and Colario TOCCO

[Antiliar]

Thanks for the uploads. Really appreciate them.

You may find this interesting (concerns Oreste Shillitoni): http://gangsteroriginal.com/

[PCMarino]

Thank you! i think that I contacted Shillitoni's descendant some time ago. I think he is the person behind the site. Odd how we are both descendants from "opposite" ends of the story!

[PCMarino]

I'm continuing to make progress through Mike Dash's book The First Family, and am in Chapter 12 "Artichoke Kings" where many names like Giuseppe Verrazano, Ralph "The Barber" Daniello, Pellegrino, Mancini, Sgroia, Esposito and others are discussed! All of these names appear in my great-grandfather's records. I look forward to following the paper trail to the primary records in hopes of learning more about my great-grandfather's role.

Are there any subject matter experts in the forum on the Navy Street gang, the Italian District of East Harlem, the PDNY Italian Squad & Italian Secret Service units?

[Antiliar]

I'm continuing to make progress through Mike Dash's book The First Family, and am in Chapter 12 "Artichoke Kings" where many names like Giuseppe Verrazano, Ralph "The Barber" Daniello, Pellegrino, Mancini, Sgroia, Esposito and others are discussed! All of these names appear in my great-grandfather's records. I look forward to following the paper trail to the primary records in hopes of learning more about my great-grandfather's role.

Are there any subject matter experts in the forum on the Navy Street gang, the Italian District of East Harlem, the PDNY Italian Squad & Italian Secret Service units?

I think that would be Chris Christie, Dave C and myself.

[nash143]

Thanks PC. Very generous to share!

[B.]

Glad you're on here sharing this information.

[PCMarino]

Thanks Antillar. As I've mentioned, many of the names in my great-GF's memo books, letters of commendation by/to DA's & the PD are of interest as they are notable early (1915-1920) Italian criminals in Manhattan & Brooklyn. What exactly my GGF's activities were, I have yet to establish. A year or more ago, I came across a website that listed many of the NY County DA trial testimony for capital crimes. Some of those transcripts were of cases he was involved with.

I am VERy interested in learning of any online resources that may be helpful in determining what connection my GGF had to these criminals and cases. Any & all helps welcome. I have some transcribed "Black hand" letters and other things of interest that I'd be willing to share and would welcome any direct contact from any of you!

My tag line "With good intentions few words are enough" is a closing line from one extortion letter. I've use that line (not always verbatim) many, many times when trying to make a point! lol It works!

Thanks to all!

Pat

[Angelo Santino]

I am familiar with Verrazano, Daniello, Pellegrino, Mancini, Sgroia, Esposito and the rest but Lennert probably knows more. Despite the unruliness and the violence, they made connections to Italian NY detectives usually as "pay offs." I'm not stating this for certain in regards to your relative, I will say be careful what you look for. Law enforcement in those days was in a grey area between right and wrong.

Where did your family come from? Compagna or Salerno by any chance?



Also: welcome to the board and hope you stick around.

[PCMarino]

Thanks Antillar! I will be posting some additional stuff from my GGF's career shortly.

In an effort to try to determine what my GGF's involvement was in the various cases mentioned in Mike Dash's book, First Family, I'd like to pursue some of the primary resource records that Mike Dash cited in his First Family book. Unfortunately, I listened to it on Audible so I now need to buy the book...unless someone has the Bibliographic section in a .pdf or something Any ideas?

Stay tuned.