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The Know Nothings were a New York phenomenon that occurred BEFORE the Civil War.

The KKK was a Southern phenomenon that occurred AFTER the Civil War.

I suppose you might draw some parallels between the two, but the one is not father to the other.

The Know-nothings may have originated in New York in 1843 but it spread to other states as the Native American Party and became a national party in 1845. In 1855 it renamed itself the American Party

In the Election of 1856 it was bitterly divided over slavery. It won 23% of the popular vote and carried one state, Maryland, with eight electoral votes. The pro-slavery wing of the American Party remained strong on the local and state levels in a few southern states,

here is a North American review from 1924 that points out the links between the know-nothings and the KKK

Our national history shows phenomena of more o r less identical type appearing at recurrent intervals, and with astonishing regularity. This is especially the case with the present phenomenon known as the Klu Klux Klan. With the possible exception of masks, robes and other like paraphernalia, it is an almost complete replica of the old Know Nothing movement of the 'fifties of the last century. It professes the same objects, and uses nearly the same methods. Pessimistic citizens of the present day, who look upon our country as going fast and straight to destruction, should remember this fact and take courage.

The Know Nothings were a New York phenomenon that occurred BEFORE the Civil War.
The KKK was a Southern phenomenon that occurred AFTER the Civil War.

I suppose you might draw some parallels between the two, but the one is not father to the other.

Both groups were made up of Protestants who didn't like Catholics. That's a pretty good parallel.