Organised crime in America seemed to grow and develop from the European immigrants. The two cultures who made the biggest impact were the Irish and the Italians. Both were heavy presence's in the underworld in the late 1800s and early 20th century.
And what about the Eastern European Jews who were right next to the Irish and Italians a hundred years ago?
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.