Unraveling the Tangled Web: Genealogy, Dual Citizenship, New York Mafia, and the Tragic Murder of My Great Aunt Claudia

Svelare la Ragnatela Ingrovigliata: Genealogia, Doppia Cittadinanza, Mafia di New York e la Tragica Morte di Mia Zia Claudia

Giuseppa Maria Cesira Nicolini my bisnonna, with children, Claudia is to the far right.

Isidoro Paolo Giovanni Nicolini, my bisnonno, Claudia’s Father

Genealogy throughout the past thirty years of my life has been personally rewarding. As an American, my ancestry includes a convergence of 6 different northern European cultures. And as an American, this experience is not at all an uncommon one. During graduate school thirty years ago I had the opportunity and privilege to live in England and Sweden. While in England, researching my ancestors from Harrogate, Northern Yorkshire, and traversing St. Catherine’s house, in London, amid the microfiche, microfilm and International Genealogical Index; I contracted the family history affliction. I felt a deep connection to the history and a delicate melange of human travail and personal belonging. Europe is where I promised myself I would connect to all of my family lines despite what little was known about my ancestors, and return one day as a citizen.

Although I was on a student visa, I realized having dual-citizenship would offer…