Corleone Sicily with Justin Cascio

Retired Intelligence Detective Gary Jenkins brings you the best in mob history with his unique perception of the mafia. In this episode, Gary discusses with Justin Cascio, a mafia genealogist, his book In Our Blood: The Mafia in Corleone, Italy, In Our Blood: The Mafia Families of Corleone. We explore the roots and activities of the Mafia in Western Sicily, debunking many romanticized notions. We also discuss the migration of mafia families to the United States and their influence in various cities. The conversation concludes with insights into the rise of the Mafia as a political force. Listen n to learn more about the history and impact of the Mafia.

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Transcript

Transcript

Introduction to Mafia genealogist Justin Cascio

[0:00] Well, welcome all you wiretappers back here in the studio of Gangland Wire.

You know, I have a guest that we had him before, Justin Cascio.

And if you follow my Facebook group, you’ll see him post a little bit.

And he is a mafia genealogist.

Justin, welcome. I really appreciate you coming back on the show.

[0:19] Thanks for having me on, Gary. Justin, I remember us talking before.

Now, you’ve written a book about your search for the roots the Mafia in Corleone, Italy, or Sicily.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into this work.

Mafia genealogy is kind of interesting. I think you have a personal connection, don’t you?

[0:39] I do. I first heard the name Corleone from my grandmother when I was a little kid.

So way too young to have watched The Godfather. It took me years before I made that connection between the mythical, fictional Don Corleone and the place where my grandfather was from.

Both of his parents were born in Corleone, which is a little mountain town about an hour away from Palermo. If you drive it today, I think it’s about an hour.

Country town, but it’s also a transportation hub, and it was also a center of culture in the mostly rural place that ...