From my understanding, "The Black Hand" wasnt an organization, not in Sicily , not here. It was an act of extortion. There were Black Hand groups, which basically specialized in the extortion of prominent Italian citizens. There were early Camorra groups in Pennsylvania that used the Black Hand letter writing, and threat of bombs to extort from fellow Italians. Some early bosses here in the states were sometimes victims of "The Black Hand" as well. So it was never its own organization.



Also, according to David Critchley's book, dual membership in Sicilian & American coshe were a thing and was allowed. It happened through a system of letters which were basically vouchers for members immigrating from Sicily. A member merely wrote to his capo via telegram and informed him of what American family he desired to belong to. The capo in Sicily would then write to the head of the desired American family, vouching for the Sicilian mafiosi/immigrant, allowing him to be trusted enough to be initiated into the American family. Thought that was interesting as dual membership is a interesting debate on these forums, at times.


"Boss of bosses", prior to Masseria & Maranzano was merely a title. Many who held this title in America in the early 19th century, simply didnt have the pull to affect mafia going-on's in other states. For instance, Morello merely had a loose network of relationships with various members in Louisiana, and he wished for a "reorganization" of the Louisiana "family" and wanted more Corleonesi, due to all the conflicts the New Orleans family haf then. His wishes merely had no effect and the Corleonesi were a depleted force by the 1920's. And many of Morello's allies within the New Orleans group were killed, inactive, or dead by the 30's.