Is there a reason why there are 5 families in New York. Is it possible that Maranzano seperates New York in 6 families?

Maranzano's clan wouldn't have been a 6th Family. It was basically the Family that Luciano took over after his death and it later became the Genovese Family under Vito.

Here's a little culture anecdote.

Start with a cage containing five apes. In the cage, hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it. Before long an ape will go up the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as the ape touches the banana, spray all apes with cold water. After a while, another ape makes an attempt with the same result - all the apes are sprayed with cold water. Then turn off the cold water.

Now if another ape tries to climb the stairs for the banana the other apes will try to prevent it even though no water sprays them.

Now remove one of the five apes from the cage and replace with a new one. The new ape sees the banana and tries to climb the stairs. To his horror, all of the apes attack him. After another attempt he is again attacked. He knows now that if he attempts to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five apes and replace with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm. Again, replace a third of the original five apes with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four apes that beat him up have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest ape. After replacing the fourth and fifth of the original apes there are no longer any apes that have been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no ape ever again approaches the banana. Why not ??

"Because that's the way it's always been around here."

damn what a way with words you have, "give that man a tuaca"

Great story Turi!

I always figured that 5 was all NY could support.I also figured it had something to do w/ the 5 buroughs (sp) and how each family got started way back in the old day.

There were five NY families before the Castellemmarese War. Maranzano emerged as the victor and declared himself capo di tutti capi. Maranzano envisioned one family, with himself as boss and the four others he chose as sort of "super-caporegimes" under him. He replaced all the pre-war heads of families with his own choices, except for Joe Profaci, whom he left in place. After Charlie Luciano arranged with Meyer Lansky to assassinate Maranzano, Luciano restored the independence of the Five Families, and instituted the Commission instead.
BTW, Turi: Luciano headed Joe Masseria's former family, not Maranzano's.

My mistake, thanks Turnbull. I stand corrected said the man in the orthopaedic shoes.

Thanks.
But I always thought Maranzano had 5 "supercaporegimes"(or dons with a boss) under him: Charlie Luciano, Vince Mangano, Joe Profaci, Tom Gagliano and Joe Bonanno. Or does Joe Bonanno take over after the Maranzano killing?

Yes.

So ...
1. Luciano takes over the Masseria family => Current Genovese family
2. Bonnano takes over the Maranzano family => Current Bonnano family
3. Tom Gagliano takes over the ??? family => Current Lucchese family
4. Joe Profaci can keep his family => Columbo family
5. Vince/Phil Mangano keep their family => Current Gambino family

Is this all correct?