Italian societies of Buffalo, the root of the mafia.

      I have long researched the Buffalo mafia, and it truly is a unique organization within the American "Cosa Nostra." One point that is rarely mentioned is that many members from the 1920s to the 1950s were closely connected to Italian societies. To be even more precise, the families of some mafiosos played very important roles in the Italian community of the country. 

There is the example of Reverend and protonotary Pascal Tronolone, who was the uncle of Buffalo mobster John "Peanuts" Tronolone, and Joseph Pieri, who was the uncle of Buffalo boss Sam Pieri.

We will also see that the mobsters themselves had infiltrated these societies and played a major role in their creation.

Stefano Magaddino, the iconic boss of Buffalo and Western New York.

The Castellammare Del Golfo Society:

(Period 1914-1920)

This Sicilian town is one of the most emblematic of the Buffalo mafia; it goes without saying that the mafia had infiltrated this society. It was founded in December 1914 by migrants from there. Among the first members, we find familiar names like Carlo Barbara (the same as capo or boss of Pittston Joseph Barbara, also from Castellammare) and Giovanni Puma (probably related to Francesco Puma, who was a close associate of Stefano Magaddino from the same village).

Then there was especially Benedetto "Angelo" Palmeri, the first major criminal in Buffalo along with his partner Giuseppe DiCarlo. He was arrested several times for shootings, murders, and bootlegging. Nevertheless, he was a leader of the Italian community. He was very generous and provided food to many of the needy. To finish this period, I would like to mention one last member, named Nicolo Longo. This is not the one who was Stefano Magaddino's brother-in-law, but probably a cousin (1871-1924). The Longo family also came from Castellammare Del Golfo.

The mobsters Angelo Puma and Benedetto Palmeri with Nicolo Longo

(Period 1920-1930)

At the beginning of 1920, the society was led by Giuseppe Turano. This is the same name as the cousin of Carmine Galante (the boss of the Bonanno family in New York), who was assassinated with him in 1979 in his restaurant. To recall, Galante's parents, Vincenzo and Vincenza, came from Castellammare Del Golfo to settle in the Italian community of Brooklyn. By examining marriage records, the Turano and Galante families were connected since at least the 19th century because the mother of Vincenza Galante was a Turano. Some members of the families also settled in the USA, but in Buffalo.

I also made a discovery in Joseph Barbara's marriage record, which mentions that his mother was named Angela Galante, possibly related to Carmine Galante's father.

Giuseppe Turano, president of the society and cousin of Carmine Galante's mother.

The mafia had fully infiltrated the society, notably with the Palmeri brothers but also with the arrival of Philip Mazzara. He settled in the city in 1920 after fleeing New York to lead a mafia group from Castellammare with the approval of Benedetto Palmeri and Giuseppe DiCarlo. Mazzara was also the potential supervisor of the "Good Killers" from New York. According to an informant, the superior leader of this group was currently in Buffalo. The Good Killers were all men from Castellammare and were involved in a vendetta against the Buccellato family, who were also from the same town.

In 1917, Antonino Mazzara and his brother-in-law Antonino DiBenedetto were killed by the Buccellatos in Brooklyn. This likely hastened Philip’s move to Buffalo. In 1921, he also brought his right-hand man Giuseppe DiBenedetto (Antonino's brother) and Calogero DiBenedetto (Antonino's son). The following year, Stefano Magaddino, who was one of the members of the Good Killers, also moved away from New York due to an informant and settled in Philadelphia and then Buffalo. That same year, the city's boss, Giuseppe DiCarlo, died due to health problems. Stefano Magaddino won the election and was appointed boss. It is also possible that initially, Magaddino served as a front boss for the politician John C. Montana, but I will elaborate on this later.

Philip Mazzara and Joseph DiBenedetto

In April 1926, the society was present at the wedding of Lena DiBenedetto, the daughter of the late Antonino. It was a very large wedding with more than 2,000 people in attendance outside the church in Buffalo. When looking at the names of the selected guests for the midday meal, one can see that there were many Castellammarese mafiosi. Among the names were:

- Philip and Angelo Mazzara (Buffalo)

- Giuseppe DiBenedetto (Buffalo)

- The Palmeri brothers (Buffalo)

- Angelo Puma (Buffalo)

- Stefano Magaddino (Buffalo)

- Simone Borruso (Buffalo)

- Nicholas Longo (Buffalo and brother-in-law of Magaddino)

- Salvatore Maranzano (New York and future Capo Dei Capi)

- Gaspar Milazzo (future boss of Detroit)

Furthermore, this wedding is the first newspaper article mentioning Salvatore Maranzano, who had illegally migrated to the USA due to his status as a boss in Sicily. It is now certain that Maranzano arrived before April 11, 1926. It is possible that Maranzano was part of the Buffalo mafia, as he used a Buffalo address when arrested: "213 Court Street."

Lena DiBenedetto

More than a year after his marriage, a new blow struck the Italian community of Buffalo with the sudden assassination of Philip Mazzara in December 1927. Mazzara had been the president of the Castellammare Del Golfo society since 1925. At that time, there were over 200 members, but he was also involved in sugar smuggling with associates from Cleveland and Detroit.

Meanwhile, in Cleveland, there was a rebellion between the boss Joseph Lonardo and Sam Todaro with the Porrello brothers. It is highly possible that Mazzara's murder was linked to Lonardo's killing in October 1927. Other alleged associates of Mazzara were killed in the months following in Buffalo and its surroundings, including Philip Livacoli. Mazzara's funeral was partly financed by the Castellammare Del Golfo society, as he was its president.

Hundreds of people attended, with over 150 floral offerings occupying 8 procession trucks. Among the pallbearers were Frank Bonventre (a Mafia family from Castellammare linked by marriage to the Magaddinos and Bonannos), Angelo Puma, Angelo Perna (a criminal and associate of Mazzara), Andrea Sciandra (a Mafia family from Montedoro), the Viola brothers, and Philip Turano.

The funeral of Philip Mazzara

To conclude this period, I would like to mention the murder of Joseph DiBenedetto in February 1929. He was Mazzara's right-hand man and a close friend of Stefano Magaddino. He was killed while discussing in a store with an associate. At the hospital, Joseph said he knew the shooter and that he would be punished.

(Period 1930-1945)

The society had gained importance, with another association from Castellammare in New York. They also frequently held meetings in Boston, which housed a Sicilian colony. It is known that Gaspar Messina, the first boss of the Boston mafia (excluding Mano Nera), was close to the Castellammare mafiosi. Benedetto Palmeri died in 1932 from a stroke. His brother Paolino became increasingly important in the Italian community. He was arrested several times in 1931 and 1932 for kidnapping and the murder of John Bazzano (the boss of Pittsburgh). Paolino was photographed in the company of 13 other mafiosi, including Salvatore DiCarlo (son of the boss of Buffalo), Giuseppe Traina, and Albert Anastasia.

Paolino Palmeri seated far right, 1932.

The society held a grand annual dance party each year with a master of ceremonies. Paul Palmeri was the "Toastmaster" of the 1935 event, which took place at the Hotel Lafayette. Among the attendees was Professor Nicotri, who had founded the Free School of Sociology at the University of Palermo. Palmeri thus mingled with high-ranking individuals, despite having been arrested by the authorities a few years earlier.

Gasper Nicotri on the left of Paolino Palmeri (far right at the top).

As for the boss Stefano Magaddino, he had been the primary member of the society since at least 1937. Alongside Palmeri, he also participated in the Rex-Frontier Social Club, the main Republican club in Niagara Falls. Paul Palmeri served as the chairman of the board for many years, and Samuel Rangatore (a close associate of Magaddino) was the treasurer. This organization had 1000 registered members. In the same year, Palmeri ended his partnership in his funeral home with Alfred Panepinto, who was a brother-in-law of the LoTiempo family, known for killing Magaddino's sister. Panepinto had fled the city but was killed in August 1937.

Returning to the Castellammare society, Paul Palmeri and Stefano Magaddino organized the 25th anniversary of the society's founding in January 1939. The event took place, as usual, at the Hotel Lafayette. Among the attendees was Dr. Ciufa, who had been a Democratic candidate and nominated to become the treasurer of Illinois. Peter Magaddino, the son of boss Stefano, was also present and gave a lengthy speech about the Italian community. John C. Montana, who was the president of the Montedoro Society, was also there. He was known to be Stefano Magaddino's right-hand man in organized crime and the director of the largest taxi company in Western New York.

Dr. Ciufia with Paul Palmeri and boss Stefano Magaddino (1939).

In the early 1940s, Stefano Magaddino became more discreet in politics, although he remained officially a prosperous businessman as the director of the Power City Distributing Company. This company was involved in the distribution of beer and beets and was one of the most significant in Western New York. Paul Palmeri left Niagara Falls after a possible dispute with Magaddino and settled in New Jersey near Willie Moretti.

Indeed, Moretti had been involved in extortion schemes with the Palmeri brothers in Niagara Falls in his youth. In 1947, Frank Palmeri (son of Paul) married Marie Moretti, Willie's daughter.

As for the society, the mafia was much less present in its hierarchy. Magaddino focused more on his businesses after Paul Palmeri's departure.

The Montedoro Society:

(Period 1910-1920)

Montedoro was another Sicilian town at the heart of the Buffalo mafia, as well as Pittston (Pennsylvania), where many Buffalo members had settled in the 1920s. The first mention of this society was in December 1915 during the elections for its leadership. The president at that time was Pietro Montana, the elder brother of John C. Montana. Pietro was also a local politician in the cities of Niagara Falls/Buffalo and a man connected to the mafia. The police had noticed that Pietro had been called the day before the Apalachin meeting by Joseph Profaci. It is true that Profaci's organization was close to the Buffalo mafia; capo Anthony "the chief" Bonasera was the brother-in-law of Joe "the wolf" DiCarlo, who hailed from Vallelunga like him.

Joseph Profaci and capo Cassandro "Tony the Chief" Bonasera.

The elder brothers Salvatore and Pietro Montana were the first to create the Montedoro Society. Among its members were the Sciandra family, a highly respected Mafia family that would eventually come to control Pittston. It's worth noting that the Montana family is connected by marriage to the Sciandras (the mother of John C. Montana's maternal grandfather). As one of the first Sciandra members, there was Rosario Sciandra (father-in-law of Pittston boss Russell Bufalino), who served as president of the society from 1918 to 1920 and held leadership positions in the Pittston society until his death in 1945. His brother Salvatore Sciandra was a merchant. The Randazzo, Valente, and Licata families were also connected by marriage to the Montanas. The Galantes of Montedoro (linked by marriage to the Sciandras and Bufalinos) may have been sidelined from the society after a dispute, which I will discuss shortly.

Another early member was Vincenzo Morreale (1887/196?), from a criminal family prominent in Pittston. Vincenzo had several run-ins with Buffalo law enforcement in 1914 for qualified thefts from merchants. He lived on Lower Terrace, not far from the Sciandras. He was arrested again in 1926 for alcohol smuggling. The police found 1500 gallons of wine in his establishment. Vincenzo eventually moved to Los Angeles in the early 1930s. Several Morreales were involved in prostitution and smuggling in Pittston, and one of the brothers, Joseph "Colorado Joe" Morreale, was even killed in 1934.

The boss Russell Bufalino and the member Salvatore Sciandra.

At the beginning of 1910, Giuseppe Sciandra (1861-1937) was violently insulted in the street by Gaetano Galante (1878-1943), triggering a brawl between the two men. Giuseppe Sciandra was the brother of Rosario and the father of Andrea Sciandra (1890-1980), a powerful mafioso in Buffalo who was also one of the pallbearers at Philip Mazzara's funeral (as mentioned earlier). Gaetano Galante, on the other hand, was the elder brother of Salvatore Galante (1899-1967), a powerful mafioso in Pittston who was particularly close to Joseph Barbara.

The dispute was extremely violent. Giuseppe Sciandra was shot in the stomach but still managed to brandish a knife. Sciandra lunged at Gaetano Galante, inflicting about a dozen wounds. Eventually, Giuseppe Sciandra was separated by his son Andrea, and Gaetano Galante was disarmed by Giuseppe's brother. Both men were taken to the hospital and narrowly survived. The trial had been repeatedly postponed due to Giuseppe Sciandra's critical condition.

In 1916, a bomb was placed in Giuseppe Sciandra's grocery store at 311 Lower Terrace. The explosion was so powerful that his house was also damaged. The police speculated that it was the work of the Black Hand, as Giuseppe had been receiving threats. His son Andrea Sciandra would later run a restaurant on the same street at 282 Lower Terrace.

Andrea Sciandra and the mafioso from Pittston, Salvatore Galante

(Period 1920-1930)

At the beginning of the 1920s, Rosario Sciandra was the president of the society. He appointed his brother Calogero Sciandra (1861-1922), his nephew Vincenzo Sciandra (1896-1971), and Andrea Sciandra as the bearer of the Italian flag to the leadership. The Valente and Licata families were still involved, but this time, no Montanas were mentioned. Indeed, Pietro and John C. Montana had ventured into politics, temporarily stepping away from the society. John, at the age of 17, owned a small taxi company that year. He was arrested for operating an unregulated bus line. In 1922, he bought a taxi company, which merged with another to become the largest taxi company in Western New York. In 1927, he was elected councilor of the Niagara Falls district.

John C. Montana, 1927

Pittston and Montedoro :

John C. Montana wielded influence, notably participating in a meeting in Pittston in 1926 alongside numerous Montedoro mafiosi from that city. Indeed, Pittston had its own Montedoro association since 1916, and several original members from Buffalo later became active in Pittston's association. The 1926 meeting was organized by Dr. Rosario Mantione, a native of Montedoro. The Mantione family was also linked by marriage to the Sciandras. Dr. Mantione served as a military nurse during WWI and was in charge of the hospital in Pittston. Among the honorary members were John C. Montana and Charles J. Bufalino (who married the daughter of Pittston boss Santo Volpe). Present at the meeting were boss Santo Volpe and his brothers Salvatore and Joseph Volpe, Giovanni Sciandra (future boss), Sam and Angelo Bufalino, Stefano Latorre (the first boss from Montedoro in Pittston), Frank and James Galante, and the Alaimo family, who were criminals also from Montedoro.

The bosses Santo Volpe and Stefano Latorre, both hailing from Montedoro.

On April 23, 1930, Gaetana "Tina" Volpe (the daughter of Santo Volpe) married Charles J. Bufalino (a cousin of the boss Russell Bufalino), and once again, numerous mafiosi and bosses from around the country attended. Some members of the Volpe family had traveled from Montedoro for the occasion. Additionally, Santo's cousin Salvatore Volpe (1883-1948) was the mayor of Montedoro. Many members of the Montedoro societies attended, including John C. Montana and his brother Pietro. Here is a list of some mafiosi who attended the wedding reception:

- the Latorre brothers (Pittston)

- Agostino Alfano (Pittston)

- the Alaimo brothers (Pittston)

- Russell Bufalino (Buffalo/Pittston)

- Calogero Bufalino (Russell's brother/Pittston)

- Charles C. Bufalino (Russell's uncle/Pittston)

- Joseph Costanzo (Pittston)

- Vincenzo Coppola (Endicott/Castellammare faction)

- Joseph "the wolf" DiCarlo (Buffalo/Youngstown)

- Angelo Falzone (Pittston)

- Gaetano and James Galante (Pittston)

- Samuel Insalaco (Pittston)

- Dr. Rosario Mantione (associate of the Sciandras/Pittston)

- Salvatore Maranzano (New York and Capo Dei Capi)

- Joseph "Colorado Joe" Morreale (Pittston, killed in 1934)

- the Palmeri brothers (Niagara Falls/Buffalo)

- Nicolo Schiro (New York, boss)

- the Sciandra brothers (Pittston)

- the Volpe brothers (Pittston)

Among the attendees, Salvatore Maranzano, the future Capo Dei Capi who was at the time in a war against his rival Giuseppe Masseria, was present. Nicolo Schiro, the previous boss of the organization that Maranzano would take over, was also there. This indicates that Maranzano was already designated as the successor. Another attendee not listed is a certain "J. J. Lanza," who does not correspond to any resident of Pittston, so I suggest another possibility. It could be the boss of San Francisco, James Joseph Lanza, especially considering that the newlyweds were planning a trip to California after the event. After the Apalachin meeting, Charles J. Bufalino was questioned about his association with Antonino Magaddino.

The lawyer Charles J. Bufalino, 1930.

(Period 1930-1940)

In the 1930s, John Montana served as the right-hand man of boss Stefano Magaddino in his mafia family, accompanying him notably to the underworld conference of 1931 organized by Al Capone.

In 1932, the Montedoro society of Buffalo was led by Luciano Randazzo, whose family was linked by marriage to the Montanas. It was evident that the members of the Montedoro society were tightly knit due to familial bonds. The mafia family of Pittston was often referred to as "The Men of Montedoro", as there was no other organization in the country that was as closely bound by blood and origins. The Buffalo mafia had men from Montedoro who were deeply connected to the Pittston mafia and others closely tied to the Philadelphia mafia, such as Samuel Rangatore.

Luciano Randazzo was known for his generosity, having organized several charitable events for the community, and he was a staunch patriot. Among the members were Angelo and John Sciandra, who were brothers-in-law of Russell Bufalino, as well as a cousin, Giovanni Sciandra (son of Salvatore Sciandra, mentioned earlier).

President Luciano Randazzo.

Luciano Randazzo served as president for four years, and his successor was the politician/mafioso John C. Montana in 1936. In truth, Montana wouldn't have normally been eligible to be president as he had voluntarily left the society a few years prior to focus extensively on politics. He had been the first Italian-American councilman in the district of Niagara Falls. John Montana was elected unanimously, with members so enthusiastic that they overlooked the regulations. Montana's arrival sparked a massive surge in memberships, with over 100 applicants. He was likely the most famous Italian-American in Niagara Falls and Buffalo. That same year, a tragic event occurred when Stefano Magaddino's sister was killed by a bomb placed near her home. Her daughters were injured and witnessed their mother's death. John Montana attended the funeral and was one of the pallbearers, alongside Salvatore Falcone (boss of Utica) and mafiosi Angelo Acquisto, Salvatore Rangatore, and Sam Lagattuta.

John C. Montana, first on the left.

In 1938, John Montana ran as the Republican candidate for the 41st district (Western New York) in Congress. Thanks to his rapid rise to fame, he made it to the finals among 28 other candidates, but was ultimately defeated by J. Francis Harter. Francis asked him to be his right-hand man in his campaign, which he accepted.

In early 1939, Charles J. Montana married the daughter of Stefano Magaddino. Charles was John's nephew and the son of Joseph Montana. This union further solidified the ties between the underworld of Buffalo and the Montedoro clan.

Josephine Magaddino with Charles Montana.

That same year, John Montana, in addition to leading the Montedoro society, was also the president of the Federation of Italian Societies, which brought together most of the Italian societies in Buffalo and its surroundings. This encompassed over a thousand members and, consequently, tens of thousands of Italians. Montana's influence was therefore substantial and unmatched by any other mafia member. He mingled with various influential personalities, notably Pasquale Tronolone, the most influential Italian clergyman in Western New York. Pasquale was the uncle of mobster John "Peanuts" Tronolone. He notably officiated the marriage of another of Stefano Magaddino's daughters to James LaDuca. Tronolone had met Popes Pius XII and John XXIII and, in 1958, he received the Medal of the Star of Italian Solidarity, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a civilian.

The reverend Pasquale Tronolone is in the middle, with John Montana.

John Montana continued to serve as president of the Società di Montedoro until the early 1940s, maintaining his political career in Western New York while acting as the right-hand man to Stefano Magaddino in the mafia. In 1952, Montana attended the wedding of Emanuella Bufalino, daughter of Charles C. Bufalino, and Joseph Falcone, son of Salvatore Falcone, the boss of Utica. The guest list included judges, comedians, and politicians, highlighting Montana's extensive connections and influence.

John Montana and Salvatore Falcone, standing

Montana participated in the infamous Apalachin meeting of 1957, held at the home of Pittston mobster Joseph Barbara. This gathering brought together many of the nation's top mob figures but was abruptly interrupted by law enforcement, exposing a vast criminal network across the country. While some attendees managed to escape, Montana was caught by the police, tangled in barbed wire. This incident shattered his public image as an upstanding politician, especially since he had been named "Man of the Year" by a police club in 1956. Further tarnishing his reputation, mobster Joseph Valachi publicly testified in October 1963, identifying Montana as one of the most powerful figures in New York State's organized crime scene. Montana died of a heart attack a few months after these revelations.

John Montana and Russell Bufalino

The Montedoro Society was no longer led by Montana in the early 1940s; it was instead headed by a young Charles Bufalino, who was connected to the Pittston mob but was considered an honest citizen.

Bonus:

The Montemaggiore Society :

Although there is much less to say, this society was founded by Joseph Pieri, the uncle of future Buffalo boss Salvatore Pieri. The family hailed from Montemaggiore, Sicily, and settled in Buffalo in 1900. Joseph established "J. Pieri & Co.," one of the leading food companies in Western New York. His brother Giovanni (Salvatore's father) died in terrible suffering during the harsh winter of January 1914 at the age of 40. This likely influenced Salvatore and his brothers to turn to crime, as they were still very young at the time. However, Joseph Pieri also succumbed to illness in 1924. His son, John Pieri, took over the business and expanded it over the years. He also engaged in politics, working closely with John C. Montana, and in 1974, he was named "Man of the Year."

Joseph Pieri and his brother Giovanni.

Compared to his cousin, Salvatore Pieri started delinquency very young at just 10 years old. He has been arrested several times for violence and burglary. His sister Elsie even married Joseph "the wolf" DiCarlo who was the son of Buffalo's first godfather.

Salvatore Pieri and his cousin John J. Pieri

Vallelunga Society :

I'll conclude this article with this society that was long led by Giuseppe DiCarlo, the first godfather of Buffalo. Indeed, the DiCarlo hailed from the Sicilian village of Vallelunga, just like the Bonasera family. Giuseppe DiCarlo arrived in New York in 1905; he is said to have run a grocery store not far from Giuseppe Morello's organization. In 1907, he settled in Niagara Falls and later moved to Buffalo. With his partner Pietro Manzella, he founded the "Buffalo Italian Importing Company," which quickly went bankrupt. The Manzellas also came from Vallelunga; I suspect they were linked by marriage to the DiCarlo.

By 1915, Giuseppe DiCarlo was the president of the Vallelunga Society, which had existed since at least 1910. He had notably organized charity balls for the Italian community and participated in other charitable activities. In 1918, his son Francesco DiCarlo passed away after 14 months of illness related to tuberculosis. Francesco worked in a saloon that had been purchased by his father and Angelo Palmeri. The following year, his wife Vincenza also passed away from cancer. Her funeral was partly funded by the society and brought together more than 600 Italians. Following these events, Giuseppe DiCarlo fell into a chronic depression.

Francesco DiCarlo, dead in 1918

In 1920, DiCarlo once again attended a funeral, that of his close friend Francesco Rangatore. He was a mafioso from Trabia who was accused of several murders in Buffalo and acts of the Black Hand. Francesco was born in 1865; his father was the mayor of Trabia and an uncle was a deputy.

In 1922, Giuseppe DiCarlo passed away due to his health problems; he was still the president of the Vallelunga Society at the time of his death. Mobsters from Milwaukee, Cleveland, Chicago, San Francisco, etc., came to attend his funeral.

Giuseppe DiCarlo, Buffalo mafia boss

Sources Used:

Main Newspapers Used for the Castellammare Society:

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Feb 07, 1914 (Angelo Palmeri)

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Jan 10, 1914 (society members)

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Dec 27, 1917 (Giuseppe Turano)

- *Buffalo Courier*, Apr 11, 1926 (marriage of Lena DiBenedetto)

- *Buffalo Evening News*, Dec 27, 1927 (Mazzara funeral)

- *The Buffalo News*, Feb 28, 1929 (death of Joseph DiBenedetto)

- *The Buffalo Times*, Aug 18, 1932 (murder of John Bazzano)

- *Buffalo Courier Express*, Dec 22, 1932 (death of Angelo Palmeri)

- *Buffalo Courier Express*, Sep 02, 1935 (Paul Palmeri banquet)

- *The Buffalo News*, Jan 08, 1937 (Rex Frontier Social Club)

- *Buffalo Times*, Jan 12, 1939 (25th anniversary of the society with Magaddino)

- *The Niagara Falls Gazette*, Dec 13, 1946 (Moretti & Palmeri wedding)

Genealogy for the Castellammare Society:

Nicolo Longo (1871/1924):

- Tomb: [Find A Grave](https://fr.findagrave.com/)

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/902282626/)

Giuseppe Turano (1883/1944):

- Passport: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/14984829?token=7b22746f6b656e223a223659394e46394b375658356a7754573673376c75637a41653973326677546c6378796f55425053356d35383d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- FamilySearch: GMB6-WS2

- FamilySearch for Vincenza Galante: G9MK-JSZ

Joseph Barbara

- Marriage certificate with mother Angela Galante:

[Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/14985877?token=7b22746f6b656e223a22303661344c526561374e6549456a6357496668665148704f734d5a6b41674b61633074513964424e4b45453d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

Main Newspapers for the Montedoro Society:

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Jan 29, 1910 (Conflict between Sciandra and Galante)

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Mar 12, 1910 (Sciandra/Galante trial)

- *The Buffalo Equirer*, Apr 9, 1914 (arrest of member Vincent Correale)

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Dec 25, 1915 (Pietro Montana President of the society)

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Feb 26, 1916 (Bomb at Giuseppe Galante's house)

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Jan 11, 1919 (Rosario Sciandra president)

- *Il Corriere Italiano*, Feb 7, 1920 (Rosario Sciandra president)

- *The Time Leader*, Jul 19, 1926 (Banquet with the Pittston mafia)

- *The Buffalo News*, Sep 19, 1927 (John Montana advisor of Niagara Falls)

- *The Time Leader*, Apr 24, 1930 (Bufalino and Volpe wedding with guest list)

- *The Buffalo News*, Dec 22, 1932 (Luciano Randazzo)

- *Buffalo Courier Express*, May 20, 1936 (murder of Arcangela Magaddino)

- *The Buffalo News*, Jan 6, 1937 (John Montana president of the society)

- *Buffalo Courier Express*, Oct 27, 1938 (Montana Republican candidate)

- *The Niagara Falls Gazette*, Jan 11, 1939 (Charles J. Montana and Magaddino)

- *The Buffalo News*, Jul 10, 1939 (Tronolone and Montana)

- *Scrantonian Tribune*, Jul 01, 1956 (John Montana at Bufalino/Falcone wedding)

- *The Buffalo News*, Dec 21, 1957 (Montana at Apalachin + Profaci call)

Genealogy for the Montedoro Society:

Rosario Bufalino

- WW2 registration: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15296066?token=7b22746f6b656e223a224e7635696c4c646974486d4b7a3332504f4934517751345775584c7a4466577857344332524238764b49673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- Marriage certificate: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15295953?token=7b22746f6b656e223a226d6771476c38514e4b3245335965707a706a65624e7a4c66327544576c416c526b6950554a69645a78576f3d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- FamilySearch: L2B6-94F

- Find A Grave: [Find A Grave](https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/80444312/russell-alfredo-bufalino)

John C. Montana

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/870134191/?focus=0.027727464%2C0.47074223%2C0.15802461%2C0.8010089&xid=3355)

- WWI registration: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15296471?token=7b22746f6b656e223a2259744b3238743668687231614a53665156534476656b4b4e657335616867386b61385869596d77695649513d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- FamilySearch: G97R-LZV

Salvatore Montana

- Passport: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/14985877?token=7b22746f6b656e223a22303661344c526561374e6549456a6357496668665148704f734d5a6b41674b61633074513964424e4b45453d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

Pietro Montana

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/871252229/?article=07045b6a-0c4b-4f0c-9b27-99386fe2c824)

Rosario Sciandra

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/865260000/?match=1&terms=Rosario%20sciandra)

Salvatore Sciandra (brother of Rosario):

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/902282698/?match=1&terms=Salvatore%20sciandra)

Giuseppe Sciandra (also brother and the father of Andrew)

- FamilySearch: GXXD-55X

Gaetano Galante

- Passport: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15289353?token=7b22746f6b656e223a225647757a4946376b724d655354784d6934702f4d61306a36597857492f396b61374264645153354e7468673d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/443107758/)

Salvatore Galante

- FamilySearch: G991-6FK

Andrea Sciandra

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/874144172/)

- FamilySearch: GNP1-8SK

Charles J. Bufalino

- Death certificate: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15289962?token=7b22746f6b656e223a226e6e6968764832316472532b2b3275544f714d3378376c662b4e396d70644e643461394e576655756238553d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- WW2 registration: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15290026?token=7b22746f6b656e223a223248766450664f4c4f3564556937326f344b6c576b7a72776667533435462b43726e3958556b396e6f4e453d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

Santo Volpe

- Passport: [FamilySearch](https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5B-HSRH?treeref=97GD-ZFJ&cid=fs_copy)

- Find A Grave: [Find A Grave](https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/249073949/santo-volpe)

Stefano Latorre

- Passport: [FamilySearch](https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5Y-62TG?cid=fs_copy)

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/529815262/)

Luciano Randazzo

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/902626874/)

Charles A. Montana

- WW2 registration: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15295400?token=7b22746f6b656e223a226f6c75713275456c6d4f70687231735032443562624d6938414955736d413871667975633961546a4138513d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- Marriage index: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15295466?token=7b22746f6b656e223a22693976555675676f58695447314e37566941364c634778544b6874715533387438494c43516561764f46413d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

Reverend Pasqualino Tronolone

- Obituary article: *Buffalo Courier Express*, Sep 17, 1964

- FamilySearch: LYZ8-Z7F

- Find A Grave: [Find A Grave](https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/74256755/paschal-j-tronolone)

Montemaggiore Society:

Giuseppe G. Pieri

- Passport: [FamilySearch](https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QV5B-CFJZ?cid=fs_copy)

- FamilySearch: GJLX-KHS

- Find A Grave: [Find A Grave](https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/100228829/joseph-george-pieri)

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/902282698/?match=1&terms=pieri)

Giovanni Pieri

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/902317818/?match=1&terms=pieri)

- FamilySearch: GCKT-G51

- Ancestry tree: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/family-tree/person/tree/71855288/person/382264957603/facts?_phsrc=MRD66&_phstart=successSource)

John J. Pieri

- Obituary article: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/family-tree/person/tree/71855288/person/382264957603/facts?_phsrc=MRD66&_phstart=successSource)

- Census: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15297520?token=7b22746f6b656e223a225862724d34454f6a486f3873504c4a315a68656c57594e7a4f4d6a686e6f3038756b373831747265772b733d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

Salvatore Pieri

- WW2 registration: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15297689?token=7b22746f6b656e223a22344a6944396643562b7a36427747642b4369303976376f792f4879464f4a78596c6c4a345331756b3159383d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- Obituary article: [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/image/873981577/?focus=0.013768649%2C0.04915398%2C0.3546517%2C0.3406172&xid=3355)

- FamilySearch: GJ7V-B7K

- Marriage certificate: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15298029?token=7b22746f6b656e223a225a5a746d4c7658456f774945734f6d5a616f637a30302f623955476b3976466d354c7862416731343753513d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

Vallelunga Society:

Giuseppe DiCarlo

- Death index: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/imageviewer/collections/61535/images/47952_554197-00286?pId=4154154)

- WWI registration: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15298267?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a22325737477a31576b4274676f6f685858687544687536716c584d305534445344784946626a515a554a556f3d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

- Census: [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.fr/sharing/15298334?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a22706f6439556c6e4f394a39522b636f794254393854577a646f746564496b7a65537039466a2f394e356e303d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d)

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Article written by Thibaut Maïquès aka Harry Horowitz on certain social networks:

- Pinterest: [Pinterest](https://pin.it/3pwiY0k1d)

- Instagram: Story_of_old_mafia & Capoditutticapi90025