In past decades, the "books" have generally been opened and closed at different times and for various reasons amongst the New York families. The first time they were closed was around 1931 or 1932. Then during 1944 and 1945 they were opened when the Newark Family was dissolved and it's people were made into the New York families; then closing thereafter. Then the books were opened again in 1954 and closed again in 1957. The books were then reopened in 1972 when each New York family was allowed to make 2 new members, afterward being closed. They were then opened again in from 1974-1976, then closed again. At some point after that, the practice in New York seemed to move towards a family being able to make new members (once they had been approved by the other families) in order to replace ones that had recently died; plus an additional 2 at Christmas.