Random historic info

[PolackTony]

Yeah Cecala is very common there which is why I thought Nino was from Caccamo. Don't know how common it is in Baucina but seems like more than a coincidence two Cecalas ran Empire Yeast at that time even though the two were from different nearby villages.

FWIW, Cecala is not at all common in Baucina. Outside of Caccamo, it appears with much lower frequency in Vicari and Ventimiglia. From what I have, Nino Cecale’s paternal grandfather, Antonino Cecala (b. 1805), was from Ventimiglia, which makes sense. Based on the distribution of the surname, my assumption has been that it originated in Caccamo and that the families with it in neighboring comuni ultimately trace their lineage back there, though this could be in the distant past in some cases. At least in this case, I didn’t see any indication of direct relation to any Cecalas from Caccamo in this family going back to the late 18th century, but Ventimiglia of course borders Caccamo, so who knows if the families of these two Cecalas had ties or contact with each other. As you say, it would seem to be quite the coincidence that two Cecalas just happened to have both been in charge of Empire Yeast.

[B.]

From Dickie:



- The part from Marino Mannoia reflects what US sources like Gentile and Magaddino said about Families being dissolved and captains stepping down until a new boss is elected. Also confirms consigliere was an elected position in his Family much as it was in many US Families. It is pluralized here so it's possible he was referring to a consiglio, as Calderone and Buscetta confirmed that existed in larger Sicilian Families. He also says it is the captains who collect the votes which we've seen in US mafia elections.

- What Leonardo Messina said about the consigliere matches Magaddino's comments and much of what I've said about the consigliere over the years. Messina says the consigliere is "the man responsible for controlling the head (capofamiglia / boss)". He says in San Cataldo the consigliere was also supposed to prevent the boss and captains from taking more money than is due to them. Magaddino said he didn't want a consigliere as it created a voice equal to the boss and he felt if a boss was elected unanimously there shouldn't be a need for consigliere. Also fits the function of the consigliere in many US Families. See here: viewtopic.php?t=7031