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Annual Report

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The National Archives of Malta

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The National Archives of Malta

A publication of:

Contributors:

ISSN: 1997-6348

The National Archives of Malta

The staff of the National Archives,

Design: The National Archives of Malta

volunteers and members of the

Printing: Government Printing Press

Friends of the National Archives

Contents Foreword

Records Management Unit

Archival Processing Unit

Holdings Management Unit

Central Archive

Gozo Archive

115

Courts and Tribunals Archive

131

Notarial Registers Archive

151

National Audio-Visual Institute

171

MEMORJA

203

Conservation Laboratory

215

International Relations and Activities

237

Corporate Services Management Unit

247

Information Technology Management Unit

253

Supporting Organisations & Volunteers

259

From Our Diary

269

Annual Report and Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 December 2025

297

Features The Christian Launer Collection: History in Correspondence

An Analysis of the Malta Relief Fund Collection | Rosette Azzopardi

Emergency Preparedness

Reaching Terra Incognita: Albert Ganado | Joseph Schirò

109

Researcher, collector and ethnographer: Tony Terribile | George Cassar

125

The Vella and Caruana Dingli Photo Collection | Mandy Mallia

145

Guardian of the Maltese Church’s Memory and Tradition: Lorenzo Zahra | Rev. Prof. Nicholas J. Doublet

165

The Cecil Satariano Film Restoration Project | Veronica Galea

187

Cecil Satariano (1930–1996) | Jean Pierre Borg

195

Preserving the Maltese Story Across Continents: Mark Caruana | Marise Caruana

211

Disaster Management and Climate Change in Archives: 20–21 November 2025

225

Cover photo

A plan for an alteration in the façade of the Chalet at Għar id-Dud (Sliema) submitted in 1950. NAM/PWD/2323/1950

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

ad fate been kinder to it, we would have celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Sliema Chalet on 12 May 2026. Born in the flush of the 1921 self-government mini boom, the elegant art nouveau landmark, commissioned by businessman Carmelo Axisa and designed by the British military engineer Major Benjamin Cordwell of the Royal Engineers, became the major venue of bourgeoise entertainment in Sliema, where the elite centre of gravity was shifting. The Chalet retained its lure, as an open-air café and as a dancing venue with live music, throughout the years, until it shut its gates in 1963 and, eventually, had to be pulled down in 2006. Repeated attempts to revitalise that indelible centre of nostalgia to older generations never really took off. Great pity, as its demolition also marked the loss of a pioneering example of reinforced concrete on the island and of one of the very few graceful art nouveau structures that had somehow survived the war of empires and the insensitive greed of developers.

GIOVANNI BONELLO

The Chalet promenade, Sliema (Edwin Galea Collection, National Archives of Malta)

The Vinny Vella Band performing at the Chalet, Sliema (The Vinny Vella Music Collection, National Archives of Malta)

Waves crashing against the Chalet in a strong North-Easterly wind (Public Works Department collection, National Archives of Malta)

Chalet ruins, Sliema, 1991 (Malta Tourism Authority Collection, National Archives of Malta)

COVER PHOTO

Foreword

s we reflect upon the past year of functioning of the National Archives of Malta (NAM), we find ourselves at a unique crossroads. It has been a period defined by unprecedented professional growth and international networking yet shadowed by the persistent challenge of our physical infrastructure. This report serves as both a celebration of our team’s tireless dedication and a sober reminder of the hurdles that remain if we are to truly safeguard Malta’s collective memory for the centuries to come. The year under review has seen NAM excel across its core mandates. Our efforts in the records management role through the building of retention schedules with departments and entities has ensured that significant tranches of public records, which might otherwise have been lost to the ravages of time or neglect, are now securely within our custody. We have made significant strides in building an appraisal philosophy of our own which is even attracting the attention of university students who are focusing on it as a challenging topic for dissertations. We have also intensified our digitisation efforts with closer collaboration with the Malta Study Center, Ancestry and FamilySearch. Considerable work was done to strengthen our IT infrastructure and to see that we build seamless workflows between the archivists, IT personnel and our public-facing

systems and services. The long-term goal to have considerable chunks of our nation’s history accessible to any citizen, anywhere, at the click of a button is becoming a reality. Our commitment to stakeholder support has never been stronger. We have acted as a vital pillar to our sections including the Notarial Registers Archive that falls under our legal remit, and which is managed by the Notarial Archives Foundation on our behalf. Notwithstanding that resources are limited, we even ventured on new collaborations with archives of confraternities, religious orders, band clubs and private archives. Our dictum is – we love and support archives wherever they are and by whoever owned. They are all part of our national archival patrimony! Our international collaboration initiatives have seen NAM take an active role in European archival networks and within the International Council on Archives. My new role as Chair of the Evaluation Commission of ICA adds prestige to our institution yet puts on me huge responsibility. These partnerships are not merely symbolic; they facilitate the exchange of best practices in conservation science and

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

people that their history matters. The digital preservation, ensuring that our current impasse hinders our ability to local methods remain at the cutting edge speed up the process of new deposits of global standards. and limits the public’s access to their own Central to these successes is our heritage. We urge the relevant authorities investment in human resources. We to recognise that archival preservation recognise that an archive is only as strong cannot be “paused” —decay is a silent, as the professionals who manage it. This constant process that does not wait for year, we have prioritised specialised administrative cycles to align. training, workshops, and academic Despite these infrastructure concerns, development for our staff. The expertise the spirit of the National Archives remains of our archivists, conservators, and unbroken. We have entered the new year administrative personnel is our greatest with a clear vision: to remain a worldasset, and their ability to adapt to the class institution that honours the past evolving digital landscape is nothing short while embracing the of exemplary. digital future. This year However, I would We are currently operating we plan to publish a be remiss if I did not at the absolute limit of new strategy that will address the “elephant our capacity. Our existing take us up to 2030, in the room.” While facilities, while maintained our intellectual and rebrand the

with the utmost care, are

professional output organisation and no longer fit for purpose. has soared, create more our comfortable spaces physical reality remains stagnant. It is with growing for our clients to interact with the records. preoccupation that I must report the lack We will continue to advocate for the of tangible progress on the promised new resources we deserve, fuelled by the National Archives building. knowledge that by fostering a culture We are currently operating at the of transparency and accountability, absolute limit of our capacity. Our the archives continue to reinforce the existing facilities, while maintained democratic fabric of our islands. with the utmost care, are no longer fit I extend my deepest gratitude to the for purpose. They lack the specialised National Archives Council, the Friends environmental controls required for of the National Archives, our dedicated long-term preservation and the space staff, and our volunteers. Your passion necessary to house our ever-expanding is the bedrock of this institution. holdings. Each year that passes To our stakeholders and the public, we pledge to continue acting as the without a dedicated, state-of-the-art faithful guardians of your story. facility is a year where our national heritage remains at risk. The promise of a new home for the PROF. CHARLES J. FARRUGIA archives was not merely a budgetary line National Archivist / CEO item; it was a commitment to the Maltese

FOREWORD

vii

A 1955 Design Application from the Industrial Property Directorate – Galaxy Game. Ref: MT NAM CMD-01-DSN_89

Records Management Unit

he Records Management Unit (RMU) supports public entities, departments and Ministries in meeting their statutory records management obligations.

Throughout 2025, the Unit organised meetings and conducted on-site visits to identify records of archival value and to plan their orderly transfer to the National Archives. The RMU also provides guidance on the implementation of sound records management practices. This collaborative process culminates in the development of an official records retention policy, formally endorsed by the National Archivist in accordance with the provisions of the National Archives Act.

Records Management Assistance Assisting public offices in the effective management of records remains a core function of the Records Management Unit. During the year under review, the Unit continued its programme of introductory meetings with public officers, held at the National Archives’ main office. These meetings served to familiarise responsible officers with their statutory obligations under the provisions of the National Archives Act and to clarify the role of the National Archives in supporting compliance.

During 2025, meetings were held with officers from a range of public entities, including the Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, Jobsplus, INDIS Malta, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights, Mater Dei Hospital and the Malta Police Force. Throughout the same period, the Records Management Unit provided support to a total of seventy-three public offices. A comprehensive list of these entities is presented on the following pages.

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Public offices supported by the Records Management Unit during 2025 Air Malta Armed Forces of Malta Armed Forces of Malta - Officers' Mess Civil Protection Department Commerce Department Coordination & Implementation Division - Director General’s Office Coordination & Implementation Division - Document Management Unit Coordination & Implementation Division - Governance Action Directorate Coordination & Implementation Division - Inspections Coordination Office Coordination & Implementation Division - Project Implementation Directorate Correctional Services Agency Foundation for Social Welfare Services - Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services Foundation for Social Welfare Services - Alternative Care Foundation for Social Welfare Services - Appoġġ Foundation for Social Welfare Services - Child Protection Services Foundation for Social Welfare Services - Sedqa Foundation for Social Welfare Services Head Office (FSWS) Government Printing Press Government Property Division Heritage Malta - Malta Maritime Museum Heritage Malta - Registry Identità INDISMalta Jobsplus Lands Registration Agency MAFA - Food Safety and Security Authority Malta Air Traffic Services (MaltATS) Malta Communications Authority Malta Financial Services Authority Malta Police Force - Criminal Investigations Department Malta Police Force - Naxxar Police Station Malta Police Force - Registry Malta Police Force - Sliema Police Station Malta Police Force - Mosta Police Station Malta Police Force - Rabat (Gozo) Police Station Malta Tax and Customs Administration (MTCA) Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) - Endoscopy Unit Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) - Finance and Administration

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Public offices supported by the Records Management Unit during 2025 (continued) Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) - Gozo General Hospital Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) - Operating Theatres Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) - Registry Mater Dei Hospital (MDH) - Saint Luke’s Hospital Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights (MAFA) - Animal Health and Welfare Department Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights (MAFA) - Public Abattoir Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR) - National School Support Services Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR) - Dingli Primary School Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR) - Head Office Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR) - Mellieħa Primary School Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR) - Santa Theresa College Ministry for Education, Sports, Youth, Research and Innovation (MEYR) - Siġġiewi Primary School Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Childrens’ Rights (MSPC) - Registry Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Childrens’ Rights (MSPC) - Social Care and Standards Authority (SCSA) Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism (MFT) - Consular Services and Maltese Living Abroad Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism (MFT) - Registry Ministry for Health and Active Ageing (MHA) - Environmental Health Directorate Ministry for Health and Active Ageing (MHA) - Head Office Ministry for Health and Active Ageing (MHA) - People Management Division Ministry for Health and Active Ageing (MHS) - Mental Health Services Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment (MHSE) - International Protection Agency Ministry for Home Affairs, Security and Employment (MHSE) - Migration Directorate Ministry for the Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects (MEEP) - Registry Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works (MTIP) - Implementation Directorate Ministry for Health and Active Ageing (MHA) - Karin Grech Rehabilitation Hospital National Statistics Office (NSO) Office of the Attorney General Office of the Electoral Commission Office of the Prime Minister - Registry Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) - Coordination & Implementation Division - Head Office Office of the State Advocate Regulator for Energy and Water Services Restoration and Preservation Department Superintendence of Cultural Heritage TradeMalta Ltd

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Appraisal of Records The National Archives issues letters of appraisal in cases involving dormant records collections that are no longer required by the creating entity, as well as in emergency situations. These

letters stipulate whether the records are to be preserved or disposed of. During 2025, the National Archives issued such letters to assist the listed entities in decongesting their repositories.

Appraisal of Records Reference No.

Entity

Subject

APL2025-01

Heritage Malta

Appraisal of Malta Centre for Restoration legacy records

APL2025-02

MHA - Gozo General Hospital

Appraisal of Yellow Card Index used to retrieve X-ray negative film

APL2025-03

MEYR - Head Office

Appraisal of ‘Strategic Educational Pathways Scholarships (STEPs)’ and ‘Master It!’ Scholarships Theses

Processing of historical records still held by public entities Once historical records are identified, the creating office is guided by the Records Management Unit (RMU) on the appropriate course of action, with the ultimate objective of transferring these records to the National Archives. This process includes sorting the records, re-establishing their original order,

cleaning them where necessary, rehousing them in archival quality boxes and preparing an inventory. In cases where the records show evidence of pest infestation, they are professionally treated under the supervision of the National Archives’ Conservators prior to transfer.

Retention Policies Retention policies for public records are a legal requirement under the provisions of the National Archives Act, 2005 (Cap. 477). During the year under review, there was an increase in the number of public offices engaging with the National

Archives to formulate and implement records retention policies. This was largely driven by the establishment of the Document Management Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister, which requires the entities it supports to have

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

approved retention policies in place to ensure proper records management. Furthermore, the coming into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has reinforced the need for such instruments, creating additional momentum among public institutions to adopt formal retention policies. As indicated in the table below, thirtysix retention policies were finalised or

updated during 2025, with several more currently in progress and expected to be completed during the next year. Most of the listed policies are newly formulated; the rest are revisions to policies already in force. The list also includes several retention policies relating to records created by the various units of the National Archives in their day-to-day operations.

Retention Policies Reference No.

Entity

Status

REP2025-01

MHA - Public National Health Service

Replaced by REP2025-01 (V.2)

REP2025-01 (V.2)

MHA - Public National Health Service

Finalised

REP2025-02

OPM - Document Management Unit

Finalised

REP2025-03

MDH - Endoscopy Unit

Finalised

REP2025-04

NAM - Records Management Unit

Finalised

REP2025-05

OPM - Governance Action Directorate

Replaced by REP2025-05 (V.2)

REP2025-05 (V.2)

OPM - Governance Action Directorate

Finalised

REP2025-06

Malta Police Force

Finalised

REP2025-07

MHA - Head Office Reception

Finalised

REP2025-08

NAM - Archival Processing Unit

Finalised

REP2025-09

NAM - MEMORJA Project

Finalised

REP2025-10

NAM - National Audio Visual Institute

Finalised

REP2025-11

NAM - Conservation Lab

Finalised

REP2025-12

NAM - Finance Section

Finalised

REP2025-13

NAM - Procurement Section

Finalised

REP2025-14

NAM - Central Registry

Finalised

REP2025-15

FSWS - Child Protective Services

Finalised

REP2025-16

Identità - ICT Unit

Finalised

REP2025-17

OPM - Implementation Directorate

Finalised

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Retention Policies (continued)

Reference No.

Entity

Status

REP2025-18

MDH - Administrative Records

Finalised

REP2025-19

OPM - Inspections and Coordination Office

Finalised

REP2025-20

OPM - Coordination and Implementation Division - Director General’s Office

Finalised

REP2025-21

NAM - Reading Room Services

Finalised

REP2025-22

International Protection Agency

Finalised

REP2025-23

MTIP - Project Implementation Directorate

Finalised

REP2025-24

MDH - Pre-Hospital Sheets

Finalised

REP2025-25

MFET - Directorate for Consular Services and Maltese Living Abroad

Finalised

REP2025-26

MCH - Mental Health Services - HR & Payroll

Finalised

REP2025-27

MDH - Operating Theatre Books

Finalised

REP2025-28

MDH - People Management Division

Finalised

REP2025-29

FSWS - Sedqa

Finalised

REP2025-30

Jobsplus - People Management Division

Finalised

REP2025-31

NAM - Community Engagement Section

Finalised

REP2025-32

FSWS - Agency for Community and Therapeutic Services

Finalised

REP2025-33

MHA - Environmental Health Directorate

Replaced by REP2025-33 (V.2)

REP2025-33 (V.2)

MHA - Environmental Health Directorate

Finalised

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions The year 2025 has been another successful period for the deposit and transfer of records to the repositories of the National Archives. This positive outcome was primarily driven by the implementation of records retention

policies, through which historical records were systematically identified and transferred for permanent preservation. In addition, the continued increase in private deposits contributed significantly to this achievement.

Accessions Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-001

Jobsplus Records. Human Resources records transferred from Jobsplus.

0.4 linear metres

2025-002

Private Deposit by Anthony Farrugia – The Anthony Farrugia Photographic Collection. This private deposit consists of photos taken by Mr Anthony Farrugia, father of the depositor, of various football matches at the Empire Stadium in Gżira. Photos consist of matches, trophy presentations, trophy displays and team group photos.

2 photo albums

2025-003

MEMORJA - Archives Sector - Written Testimony. Dun Ġwann Azzopardi wrote about his personal experiences in the local archival sector.

164 kb

2025-004

Private Deposit by Cecil Chircop – The Antonette Chircop Collection. This accession consists mainly of documents related to various (civil) court cases. There are also several copies of arraignments made by the Executive Police and petitions to the Rent Regulations Board. There is some documentation related to the Manoel Theatre. The accession also includes a few individual miscellaneous items.

0.5 linear metres

2025-005

Acquisition NAM - Jo Debono Collection. A collection of a digital copy of over 550 recordings, acquired from Mr Jo Debono, a pioneer in the Maltese audiovisual recording scene and the founder of Studio Seven. Mr Debono transferred any intellectual property rights he might have with regards to these recordings to the National Archives. The first recording is a sermon by Dun Ġorġ Preca (1957) and includes song festivals popular in the 1960s emulating Italian TV when it was becoming part of Maltese homes, religious pageants and feasts, theatre, Maltese pop music, cinema public broadcasting, Maltese advertising, etc. that make this collection a unique record of the Maltese soundscape of the latter half of the last century. A ferrograph tape recorder and an audio mixer of that era together with some vinyl records were donated by Mr Debono.

550 recordings, some vinyl records, a ferrograph tape recorder and an audio mixer

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Accessions (continued)

Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-006

Gozo Archive. Private Deposit by Dr George Azzopardi. Postcards, photographs and ephemera items related to Gozo.

87 items

2025-007

Private Deposit by Mariella Abela. The Mons Enrico Bonnici Collection. Mons Enrico Bonnici was born in Floriana in 1891. Son of Dr Benjamin Bonnici MD and Giuseppina née Montanaro. He studied for a Doctorate in Theology following a Bachelor's in the Diritto Canonico. Bonnici was ordained a priest in 1915. At a very young age he was appointed parish priest of the Paola parish. In 1922 he was appointed parish priest of Rabat. Here he had to lead the parish through the difficult times resulting from the collapse of the dome and other parts of the St Paul’s parish church and the eventual rebuilding of same. Subsequently, after 1929, he was assigned the position of Director of the Catholic newspaper Il-Leħen is-Sewwa, Rector of the Archbishop’s Seminary, Chancellor of the Maltese Diocese and Director of the St Joseph Institute in Ħamrun. On 2nd January 1956 he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He was presented with his insignia by Sir Robert Laycock, Governor of Malta at the Palace in Valletta on the 11th October 1956. The Supplement of The London Gazette of 30th December 1955 states that he was granted such honour “for public services in Malta.” Mons Enrico Bonnici died on 5th August 1961.

0.66 GB

2025-008

Acquisition NAM - Bandi (Proclamations). Collection of 72 proclamations (1 of them in duplicate), usually referred to as bandi (singular bando). Also included are a number of other miscellaneous items.

80 items

2025-009

Notarial Registers Archive (NRA - New transfer) Registers of Notarial Deeds, Wills and Indices. Accession Form to record the transfer of records to the Notarial Registers Archive, managed by the Notarial Archive Foundation. Transferred from various Notaries.

20 boxes

2025-010

260 Boxes

2025-011

Jobsplus - Appraised Work Books.

0.15 linear metres

2025-012

Private Deposit - Joseph Calleia Dinner Photo. A large format photo shows a dinner organised by the Maltese community of New York in 1936 in honour of the Maltese actor Joseph Calleia (1897-1975).

1 large format photo

2025-013

Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights. Files that were either created or managed by the MSPC.

2.5 linear metres

2025-014

Heritage Malta - Malta Shipyards Records.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions (continued) Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-015

Private Deposit by Patrick J Micallef (o.b.o. KOMR Association). Previously donated to the KOMR Association by the late Major Vincenti Busuttil and the late Captain Paul Debono through Mr Ernest Rossi and Mr John Chircop, both members of the KOMR Association.

Two original photo albums (A3 sized)

2025-016

Malta Police Force - Headquarters - Lock-up Registers of Detention books and Handover books.

1 linear metre

2025-017

Electoral Office - General Office Files.

2.2 linear metres

2025-018

Private Deposit by Veronica Galea Maltese Histories One by One - The Cecil Satariano Film Collection (Katarin, Ilona). 1x 16mm film reel, 1x magnetic sound tape.

1x 16mm film reel, 1x magnetic sound tape.

2025-019

MEMORJA - Thalidomide Survivors - Interview. Josette El-Kafas was interviewed about her experiences as a Thalidomide survivor.

7.48 GB

2025-020

MEMORJA - Thalidomide Survivors - Interview. Vittorio Cassar was interviewed about his experiences as a Thalidomide survivor.

6.07 GB

2025-021

Ministry for Education - Siġġiewi Primary School Records. 2 Admission Registers (Girls 1911-2014; Boys 1901-2017), 6 Reports on Inspection on Cleanliness (Premises & Pupils) and Discipline of the Siġġiewi Primary School (1932, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1940, 1942), 3 Entrance Examination Results for Secondary School (1950s, 1962), Inspection Report on Class Subjects (1931-1939), Transfers to Other Schools and Exemptions from School (1958-1962), Letter from School Broadcast Unit (1962), Photographic Material of HMS Ganges (1950s), 2 Admission Registers (Boys and Girls, 1950s-1971), 2 Requisition books (19481959, 1960s-1970s), Inventory of textbooks registered (1950s-1970s), 2 Workbooks owned by Joseph Cremona (1939).

0.5 linear metres

2025-022

Acquisition NAM - The Costantino Farrugia Collection. Constantino Farrugia (1920-2001), a nursing officer at St Luke’s Hospital, was also a prolific playwright. He wrote various works in Maltese, including vaudeville acts, farces, sketches, comedies and dramas, many of which were performed by his company, Hit Parades. These performances were staged in the Parish Hall of Żurrieq and at various locations across Malta.

1.5 linear metres

2025-023

Private deposit by Alberta Risiott and Vittorio Laferla. – The Renato La Ferla Collection. This collection consists of architectural files, plans and drawings made by the same Renato Laferla. Also part of the collection is a model of the Ħal Lija School, constructed by the same La Ferla.

1.3 linear metres

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Accessions (continued)

Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-024

Private deposit by Alberta Risiott and Vittorio Laferla – The Alberto La Ferla Collection. This collection consists of architectural files, plans and drawings made by the same Alberto Laferla.

0.5 linear metres

2025-025

National Statistics Office - Central Office of Statistics. Legacy files from the National Statistics Office Central Office including from the years 1987 and 1988.

3 linear metres

2025-026

Private Deposit by AFM Officer’s Mess. This collection comprises of four (4) albums of photographic prints of the Royal Malta Artillery serving within the British Army.

98.3 GB

2025-027

MEMORJA - Thalidomide Survivors - Interview. Victor Ellul was interviewed about his experiences as a Thalidomide survivor.

8.29 GB

2025-028

Notarial Registers Archive (NRA - Part of 2021 transfer) - Various Notarial Registers. Accession form to record the transfer of records to the Notarial Registers Archive, managed by the Notarial Archive Foundation.

168 volumes

2025-029

7 volumes

2025-030

MEMORJA - Thalidomide Survivors - Interview. Mario Abela was interviewed about his experiences as a Thalidomide survivor.

6.76 GB

2025-031

GOZO ARCHIVE - Education - Sannat Primary School Records. Two (2) attendance registers, four (4) admission registers and three (3) log books.

Nine (9) Volumes

2025-032

Health - Mount Carmel Hospital - Patients Registers (Mental Health Manuscripts, Treatment Abroad, Personal Effects).

15 linear metres

2025-033

Private deposit by Elizabeth Lochhead – The Lochhead Family Collection. Transparencies were used in the publication ‘The Siege of Malta 1565’.

1 box

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions (continued) Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-034

Private deposit by Marie Louise Agius – The Anton Agius Collection. 2x A3 size display books with newspaper cuttings referring to Agius on his works, 2x Diploma certificates issued from institutions within the UK in 1960 and 1961, 1x BOV ‘Agius Exhibition’ poster (2005), a large amount of large and small photos, Agius’ 1961 passport, Album with Agius’ monument inauguration in 2009, three medals (Ordni Nazzjonali tal-Mertu, Malta Society of Arts and Unur ir-Rabat), and autobiographical notes and contract of sculptures given by Agius to the Cathedral Museum, Mdina, in 1998.

14 items

2025-035

Private Deposit by Christian Launer. Twenty-six (26) records, including letters from and to Grand Masters, related to the stay of the Order of St John during its rule in Malta (1530-1798).

26 items

2025-036

Private Deposit by George Azzopardi. Two (2) newspapers entitled ‘The Sphere’, 1 steel plate re permit for shoe black, 3 Air Malta tickets, 1 postcard and 1 print of a Malta Boat dated 1925; two coupon stamps, three postcards and one published book on the Memoirs of the Royal Astronomical Society, 1867.

11 items

2025-037

Private Deposit by Joseph Scerri – The Ford Malta Convention Photographic Collection. Collection depicts a private luncheon held by the Malta branch of ‘Ford of Britain’

Nine (9) photographic prints in black and white

2025-038

GOZO ARCHIVE - Private Deposit - Map of Gozo and Photograph of St George’s Feast. Two maps printed by the UK’s MOD in 1972. One (1) photograph of St George’s feast in Victoria in the 1950s.

2 maps & photographic print

2025-039

Health - MHA - Mater Dei Hospital and Clinics Patient files (Sample)

4.3 linear metres

2025-040

Private deposit by Guy Grannum. This collection relates to the service record of Clifton Winnington Grannum. Part of this collection includes a silver cigarette case (inscribed ‘To Flight Officer C. W. Grannum // From the Officers RAF Base // Calafrana // Feb. 1933’) and a silver tray with engraved signatures from other officers as a wedding present. Also forming part of this accession are photographic prints and various paper documents from his career with the RAF ‘202 Flying Boat Squadron’ leading up to his final mission in October 1940 (Missing in Action).

73 items

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Accessions (continued)

Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-041

Correctional Services Agency - Prison Legacy Records various record types. These include: Prison files (General); Dossiers; Copies of Sentences; Release books; Sales books; Deportation records; Files on Libyan nationals; ‘Prison Daily State’ book; Debtors books; ‘Women Prison’ books; Life Sentences (1828-); Prisoners World War Two (19391945); Death Sentences Commuted (1848-); Unusual Offences (1849-); Executions (copies) (1850-1874); Prison log book (1917-1929); Seditions (Espionage and Treason) (1933-); and Arrest Warrants.

11 linear metres

2025-042

OPM - Appraised HR Records

2.5 linear metres

2025-043

Private deposit by Dr Moira Dillon – The Prof. Agostino Naudi Collection. This collection consists of medical-related notes and research. These broadly include medical certificates and reports, lecture notes and speeches, off-hand notes, zoological notes, generic biology notes, notes on diseases and (possibly) vaccinations, minerology and pharmacy, pathology, book lists and notes on artillery.

0.2 linear metres

2025-044

Private deposit by Alfred Zammit – The Mro Spiro Zammit Collection. The collection comprises a diverse range of materials related to the works and legacy of Mro Spiro Zammit (1930-1992), including original music scores, photocopies of scores, recordings, photographs and printed ephemera. The collection was housed at the residence of Alfred Zammit (son of Mro Zammit), in Qala, Gozo, and transferred by Mr John Cremona, Assistant National Archivist.

1 linear metre

2025-045

MEMORJA - Fishing Experiences - Interview. Giacomo Matina was interviewed about his experiences as a fisherman from Lampedusa.

346 MB

2025-046

Health - Gozo General Hospital. X-rays Records / sleeves containing both negatives and radiographers’ notes.

258 folders

2025-047

MEMORJA - Post Independence Politics - Interview. Anthony De Bono was interviewed about his introduction to politics during his childhood and his lobbying on behalf of the Malta Labour Party in the 1970s.

12.6 GB

2025-048

Notarial Registers Archive (NRA - Part of 2021 transfer) - Various Notarial Registers. R14 - Francesco Alessi 1724 - 1775; R15 - Francesco Alfano 1725 - 1770; R16 - Andrea Allegritto 1597 - 1630; R17 - Giuseppe Allegritto 1680 - 1682; R18 - Nicola Allegritto 1651 - 1694; R19 - Paolo Allegritto 1640 - 1658; R20 - Vincenzo Allegritto 1776 - 1804; R22 - Pietro Paolo Amato 1808 - 1843.

240 volumes

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions (continued) Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-049

Private Deposit by George Pisani – The Mgr Carmelo Scicluna Photograph. This digital copy relates to early buses in Gozo. The picture was taken in front of Saint George’s Basilica, Victoria, Gozo. Present in the picture is the then Archpriest Alfons Maria Hili.

12,8 MB

2025-050

Malta Police Force - Police Station Records - Sliema.

4 linear metres

2025-051

Gozo Archive - PDE - Postcards, photographs and ephemera items related to Gozo.

11 items

2025-052

Malta Police Force - Criminal Investigations Department (CID) - Criminal Investigations Department Records

2 linear metres

2025-053

Private Deposit by Alfred Conti (k/a Conti Borda). This collection relates to two images of new entrances (Maltese) to the Royal Navy Saint Angelo School of Catering and Hotel Administration. The two images (group photos) are both dated 1958, taken by the owner. The owner, then Chief Petty Officer, was officer in command of the school in question from 1958 to 1960.

Two (2) Photographic prints (B & W)

2025-054

MEMORJA - Private deposit by Michael Debattista. Michael Debattista is Vice President of the Thalidomide Survivors Association (Malta). Whilst not having been impacted by the drug, Michael had gotten interested in this issue and through his friendship with Mr Anatole Baldacchino (President of the TSA) is an activist on behalf of the survivors’ community.

8.48 GB

2025-055

Armed Forces of Malta. The official media created by the Armed Forces of Malta. These consist of audiovisual material of various formats (prints, film, mounted slides, VHS tapes, DVDs and CDs). Along with these are also newspaper cutouts which mention the Armed Forces of Malta, as well as other branches/entities pertaining to defense.

6 linear metres

2025-056

Department of Information (DOI). This accession includes footage (1960-1989) and images (2001-2010) on a variety of topics including political, industrial, current affairs and social aspects.

39.038 MB

2025-057

Office of the Prime Minister - Government Printing Press. Appraised Personal Files.

0.3 linear metre

2025-058

Private Deposit by Anthony Aquilina – Brokered by Mr David Rossi. The images in this accession relate to the Nationalist Party public, political events. These include mass meetings, prominent members in the party and celebration rallies (demostrazzjonijiet) of the party.

64 photographic prints and 2 memorial cards

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

The Chalet promenade, Sliema Edwin Galea (Galea Art Studio) Collection, National Archives of Malta

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Accessions (continued)

Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-059

Private Deposit by Carmen Borg Bonello. The collection consists of mounted slides and photographic prints that depict that depict Malta from the 1930s till his death in 1997. The subject includes, amongst others, the Mnarja races in Rabat, National Bank, Military transport, Tunisia, etc.

507 items

2025-060

Gozo Archive - Private deposit by Paul Camilleri. Gozo Civic Council report on the Administration August 1962

1 volume

2025-061

Gozo Archive - Private deposit by George Azzopardi. Postcards and photographs related to Gozo.

15 items

2025-062

Private Deposit by David Rossi. This collection pertains to the Medjugorje Centre Malta’s experiences in Croatia and Bosnia, including the Bosnian War of 1992. The records deposited include a various types of audiovisual material, in both analogue and digital format. They also include paper files of correspondence and ephemera.

0.7 linear metres

2025-063

Private Deposit by Marthese Farrugia Turban – Brokered by Mr David Rossi. This accession consists of two sets of postcards concerning Catholic missions.

24 items (12 per set)

2025-064

Private deposit by Rose Conti – Brokered by David Rossi. This accession consists of two flyers, 1811 and 1812 respectively, for the Theatre (mentioned as R. Teatro); a booklet of hymns celebrating the 26th anniversary from the First Eucharistic congress (1913-1939); and the memorial card of Rose Conti (the depositor).

4 items

2025-065

Private Deposit by Mario Buhagiar. This collection is made up of records related to Professor Buhagiar’s academic work and includes research, correspondence, notes, dissertations he supervised and publications.

9 volumes & 1 box of correspondence

2025-066

Private Deposit by Edward Critien. This accession consists of one film reel capturing the funeral of Dr Enrico Mizzi, Malta’s sixth Prime Minister. The film was shot by Edward Critien, the son of Dr Eduardo Critien, who together with Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, Dr Paolo Borg Olivier (grandfather of the depositor) and another student were arrested following the student’s protest (May 1919); a few weeks before the Sette Giugno troubles.

1 x 16mm film reel

2025-067

Malta Communications Authority. Records created/managed by the Malta Communications Authority concerning licences of: dealers, wireless alarms, cordless microphones, high frequency communication systems, microwave link, satellite earth station, citizens’ band, television receive only, and remote controls of cars and aircraft.

0.3 linear metres

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions (continued) Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-068

Private Deposit by the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The contents of this VHS tape consists of a film of Charles Galea talking through a commercial venture at caves once used by British submarines during WW2 in Valletta.

1 VHS Tape

2025-069

MEMORJA - Private deposit by Anthony De Bono. Ambassador (ret.) Anthony De Bono was interviewed about his experiences as general manager and CEO of Telemalta between 1983-1997.

11.8 GB

2025-070

Private Deposit by Noel Tonna. The contents of this accession includes various music scores created by Mro Charles Wood.

1 linear metre

2025-071

Notarial Registers Archive (NRA - Part of 2021 transfer) - Various Notarial Registers. R23 - Alessio Apap 1649 - 1674, R24 - Calcedonio Giovanni Arpa 1781 - 1821, R25 - Stefano Giovanni Assenza 1828 - 1850, R26 - Giovanni Pietro Attard 1635 - 1645, R27 - Gulio Fortunato Attard 1740 - 1751, R28 - Mario Attard 1631 - 1651, R29 - Michele Attard 1643 - 1679, R30 - Pietro Attard 1651 - 1688, R31 - Simone Attard 1641 1675, R32 - Bartomeo Axisa 1553 - 1572, R33 - Antonio Ferdinando Azzopardi 1852 - 1853, R34 - Francesco Saverio Azzopardi 1765 - 1840, R35 - Giuseppe Maria Azzopardi 1799 - 1840, R37 - Nicola Azzopardi 1791 - 1832, R38 - Vincenzo Azzopardi 1773 - 1810, R39 - Bernardo Azzopardi 1599 - 1644, R40 - Giovanni Azzupard 1642 1685,.

403 volumes

2025-072

Health - MDH - Mater Dei Hospital - Patient files (Rare Diseases). This accession is in line with Retention Policy REP202501 - Key 3 (Public National Health Service)

1.3 linear metres

2025-073

Private Deposit by Dan Brock – Christmas Midnight Mass Sermon (1935). The original sermon was copied into the exercise book by Nat Gatt, daughter of George Gatt of Jesus of Nazareth Parish, Sliema, Malta, for her young brother, Francis ‘Frank’ Gatt. Frank brought the exercise book to Canada in 1948. Sometime in the 2010s, he allowed Dan Brock to make a digital copy of it. Frank Gatt died in 2017 and the exercise book is believed to have been tossed out by his children. This digital copy is believed to be the only remaining evidence of the Sermon’s existence. The test itself is probably the oldest surviving text of a boy’s midnight mass sermon in Malta.

89.4 MB

2025-074

Private Deposit by Anthony (Tony) Sciberras. The contents of this accession consist of papers of John Sciberras. These include various forms of correspondence, papers from the Għaqda Letterarja Maltija, articles and papers, as well as a Maltese translation of Alice in Wonderland.

1 linear metre

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Accessions (continued)

Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-075

MHA - Karin Grech Hospital. Occupational Therapy Discharge Patients Records. Appraised records - Occupational Therapy Discharge Patients Records created and managed by the Karin Grech Hospital.

0.3 linear metres

2025-076

PDE - The Kevin Casha Collection (part of). This collection consists of the recordings of a television programme called ‘ĊAK’ from 1994, relating to photography. It was presented by the depositor, Kevin Casha and Joe P. Smith. Guests included Anton J. Said and Carmel H. Psaila. They were recorded between April and May of 1994.

Six (6) Betacam Tapes

2025-077

Private deposit by Kevin Casha, on behalf of the Don Bosco Foundation. The collection consists of the creator, Giuseppe Fenech and his family filmed at certain location across the Maltese Islands.

Five (5) Super 8 films

2025-078

PDE - The David Rossi Collection - George Borg Olivier Papers. This collection consists of official and unofficial documents owned by the late Dr George Borg Olivier (1911-1980), twice Prime Minister of Malta. The collection includes types of analogue records, as well as a few audiovisual material. Kindly consult the PDE Form for further details, including a detailed list of the collection compiled by the depositor.

2 linear metres

2025-079

Health - MDH - Mater Dei Hospital - Patient Files (Non-Maltese patients). This accession is in line with Retention Policy REP202501 - Key 2 (Public National Health Service).

0.3 linear metres

2025-080

Gozo Archive - PDE - The George Azzopardi Collection (part of). Old postcards and photographs related to Gozo.

20 items

2025-081

Gozo Archive - PDE - The Cabreo Gauci Family – ‘Libro Esigenziale di beni stabili cioe’ case, giardini, e terre posti nelle isole del Gozo e di Malta.’ Cabreo containing information about houses, gardens and fields derived from the inheritance of Dottor Fisico Giuseppe Gauci, Dottor Fisico Gio Nicola Gauci Apap and the Gauci family. 1789

1 ‘Cabreo’ volume with 229 numbered folios

2025-082

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFET). Appraised Personal Files. Records transferred in line with Retention Policy REP2024-25 (People & Standards Division)

0.45 linear metres

2025-083

Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights (MSPC). Appraised Personal Files. Records transferred in line with Retention Policy REP2024-25 (People & Standards Division).

1.30 linear metres

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions (continued) Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-084

Private Deposit by David Rossi – Carmelo Felice Collection (Part 01). This collection consists of ephemera that pertain to the Felice Photo Studio. These include the sign of the establishment ‘Felice Photo Studio’, a camera he owned, a Union flag retrieved by the creator during the Sette Giugno riots and some photographic material.

2.8 linear metres

2025-085

Private Deposit by Annamaria Gatt. Reels containing a variety of family footage of John Vella. Donated by his daughter, Ms Annamaria Gatt.

Ten (10) Reels

2025-086

Private Deposit by Alfred Buhagiar. The collection consists of four items, three of which are to be kept as digital copies. Two of the three items kept digitally are related to the depositor’s father-inlaw, Lawrence Buhagiar, a once-owner of the Marsa Dockyard. Another item related to the depositor himself, during a play in his youth

3 digital surrogates, 1 memorial card

2025-087

Private Deposit by Deborah Buhagiar. This collection consist of thirty seven (37) postcards depicting various topics, such as views of Malta, ports and monuments from both Britain and France, King George V and First World War troops and vessels (both French and British).

Thirty seven (37) postcards

2025-088

Private Deposit by John Vella – The Bir Mula Collection - Genealogy. This collection consists of genealogical research, family trees, copies of contracts and other records related on the topic.

44 Volumes

2025-089

Recovery of Public Records. This accession consists of various records found at the residence of Mr. J.J. Camilleri. The records relate to education based matters spanning from 1852 to 1928.

1.66 linear metres

2025-090

Private Deposit by Joyce Pace – The Tony Preca Collection. The collection consists of the caricatures, drawings, sketches, cover art and cartoons of Tony Preca.

1.33 linear metres

2025-091

MEMORJA - Private Deposit by Anatole Baldacchino - Thalidomide Survivors. Anatole Baldacchino had spoken about developments in the negotiations between the Thalidomide Survivors Association (Malta) and the Maltese government regarding compensation.

39.7 MB

2025-092

MEMORJA - Private Deposit by Mariella Cachia Thalidomide Survivors. Mariella Cachia spoke how she got to know about the Thalidomide scandal when transcribing the MEMORJA interviews. This elicited a strong emotional response to the silence surrounding the scandal.

5.93 GB

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Accessions (continued)

Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-093

Heritage Malta - Appraised records of the now defunct Malta Centre for Restoration.

2 linear metres

2025-094

Private Deposit by Marion Cachia - The Malta-Ostern Short Film from 1992. Film was shot from the air and filmed during the Easter period. The film portrays the life of the Maltese at the time.

1.06 GB

2025-095

Private Deposit by Connie Zahra - The Guzeppi Cascun Collection. Photographs of Guzeppi Cascun (b. 1906), an individual who used to work at the Santo Spirito Hospital as a nurse. The depositor is one of his eleven children.

Four (4) digital surrogates

2025-096

Private Deposit by Anne Gatt - PDE - Zammit Gauci Collection. The collection consists of family records from the Gauci/ Zammit-Gauci family. These include property records and family photographs.

2.6 linear metres

2025-097

Private Deposit by Paul Galea - The Galea Family Photographic Collection. The collection consists of family photos dating back to the early 1900s, to the 1950s/1960s.

Ten (10) digital surrogates

2025-098

Private Deposit by Godfrey A Pirotta - Maltese Immigrants in Australia - Interviews. This accession relates to Maltese migrant experiences in Australia, as well as their recollections of Malta.

Two (2) CDs with audio files

2025-099

Notarial Registers Archive (NRA - Part of 2021 transfer) - Indices for Notarial Registers. Accession form to record the transfer of records to the Notarial Registers Archive, managed by the Notarial Archive Foundation. R40 - Giovanni Azzupard, R41 Giovanni Battista, Azzopardi, R42 - Lucio Azzupard, R43 Giovanni Francesco Bagini, R44 - Giacomo Baldacchino, R45 - Andrea Balzan, R46 - Giovanni Ignazio Balzan.

165 Volumes

2025-100

Anonymous Private Deposit - The Dun Karm Psaila Collection. Original and autographed photos of Dun Karm Psaila dedicated to Karmen Mikallef Buhagar. Photographs of localities associated with Dun Karm Psaila and commemorative events. Photos of Mons Prof. Dun Karm Sant autographed to Karmen Mikallef Buhagar. Photos of localities and events in Malta.

65 items

2025-101

Ministry for Health and Active Ageing (MHA) - Health Department Card Index. The Card Indexes (which were located in the Health Ministry’s head office) contains reference to pre-existing files, some of which are in the custody of the National Archives of Malta. Some card indexes also contain reference to HR personal files.

49 index drawers

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions (continued) Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-102

Jobsplus - Employment and Training Corporation board memoranda, agenda and board meeting minutes. Memoranda created by the Employment and Training Corporation (or ETC, Jobsplus’ predecessor).

4.5 linear metres

2025-103

Private Deposit by Veronica Galea. Maltese Histories One by One - I'm Furious - Red! and Ilona audio reel. This private deposit consists of one (1) audio music tape/ tracks of commercial music for ‘I’m Furious - Red!’ and ‘Ilona’, two films directed and filmed by Cecil Satariano.

1x audio reel, 3x Super8 60cm reel, 1x Super8 90cm reel, 8x empty reels with case, 2x empty reels without case and 10x empty metal reel carriers

2025-104

Ministry for Social Policy and Children’s Rights (MSPC) - Ombudsman Cases. Files relating to Ombudsman cases that fall within the remit of the Minister. Documentation held in files at the Office of the Permanent Secretary may differ from documents included in files at the Office of the Ombudsman.

0.15 linear metres

2025-105

Private Deposit by Kevin Mahoney. This private deposit includes papers relating to the works of Ray Mahoney, a Maltese composer and author.

1 linear metre

2025-106

Private Deposit by Sandra Bartoli and Ben Spiteri The Maurice Abela Collection. This deposit includes notes and reports written or owned by the late Maurice Abela, a seasoned civil servant and Ambassador to Rome and then Vienna and the OECD.

0.66 linear metres

2025-107

Private Deposit by David Rossi - Audibert Rossi Collection. This deposit consists of various items of both analogue and digital formats, and including both documentation as well as photographic material

4 linear metres

2025-108

Private Deposit by Michael Agius. Black & White to Colour Activity by Mr Michael Agius of previous Charles Photo Studio. Deposit consists of audiovisual material captured during a lecture by Michael Agius on the topic of the manual colourisation of Black and White images.

3 MB

2025-109

Education - Dingli Primary and Secondary School Records. This public transfer includes records created by Dingli Primary and Secondary Schools. It includes admission Register Books, Inspections Register, the Dingli Night School and other related material.

2.2 linear metres

2025-110

Gozo Archive: Registers and indexes of deeds and wills drawn up by Notary Emanuel George Cefai between 1977 and 1990.

86 volumes

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Accessions (continued)

Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-111

Private Deposit by Carmel J. Farrugia. This deposit consists of posters related to the slogans and agendas of the Social Democratic / Nationalist Party during the Pre Independence and Post Independence years.

Four (4) items

2025-112

Private Deposit by Michael Alfred Vella, Daughters Amanda Mallia and Helene Asciak, and granddaughter Megan Mallia. This deposit consists of the photographic material relating to the military careers of the Vella family (four generations of) and the Caruana Dingli family.

Fifty-six (56) items

2025-113

Private Deposit by Janet Willis. This deposit consists of contracts written in the Latin language, spanning the latter half of the 17th Century.

0.15 linear metres

2025-114

Private Deposit by Paul Zammit. This deposit consists of digital surrogate of photograph material of the destroyed Royal Opera House and Lyceum past papers.

0.15 linear metres

2025-115

MEMORJA - Private Deposit by John Camilleri Interview Camilleri was interviewed about his experiences as the parent of a child with special needs.

8.98 GB

2025-116

MEMORJA - Private Deposit by Charles Bezzina Bezzina gave a short explanation describing what had inspired him to become a researcher. He spoke about the research undertaken by his late father and then gave a detailed account of wartime Gozo and its effects on the Island’s population.

327 MB

2025-117

Notarial Registers Archive (NRA - Part of 2021 transfer) - Indices for Notarial Registers. Accession form to record the transfer of records to the Notarial Registers Archive, managed by the Notarial Archive Foundation. R511 Lorenzo Cassar, R0_AD Unknown Noray AD, R47 Salvatore Balzan, R48 Angelo Bartholo, R49 Cesare Bartolo, R50 Gabriele Bartolo, R51 Giovanni Bartolo, R52 Celcedonio Battajille, R53 Leopoldo Battajille, R55 Domenico Bertis, R56 Giovanni Bezzina, R57 Ignazio Antonio Bezzina, R58 Pietro Antonio Bezzina, R59 Fabrizio Bigeni, R60 Giuseppe Bonavia, R61 Marcello Bonavia.

279 volumes

2025-118

Education - Mellieħa Primary School Records. This deposit consists of various records created by the Mellieħa Primary School. It includes registers and attendances spanning 1905 and 1973.

3.75 linear metres

2025-119

Public Broadcasting Services (PBS). This transfer consists of one photographic print (Black and White) of Cecil Satariano.

1 item

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Accessions (continued) Accession Ref.

Source & Description

Extent

2025-120

MEMORJA - Tal-Ġilju Il-Banda u s-Socjetà flImqabba - Private Deposit by Charles Farrugia. The majority of tapes deal with Mqabba and were recorded in the beginning of the 1990s in preparation for Charles Farrugia’s first book ‘Tal-Ġilju: Il-Banda u s-Socjetà fl-Imqabba’ published in 1995. There are interviews with the bandmasters, activists of the feast of Our Lady of the Lilies, and also other persons who remembered the War. Another interview includes Christmas sermon by the altar boy Anthony Farrugia. The interview with Dinny Parnis was probably recorded by Mark Caruana.

42 audio cassette tapes

2025-121

Private Deposit by Tony Terribile (Part of). This accession includes memorial cards, Christmas Card cutouts, Ephemera, Photo Albums, Notes and Albums.

2.8 linear metres

2025-122

Private Deposit by Max Farrugia (Funeral and Memorial Card Collection). This accession consists of memorial cards handed to the creator from private individuals and funeral service providers over the past two years.

4 linear metres

2025-123

Private Deposit by Gaetano Vincenzo Gatt (Memorial Card Collection). This accession consists of funeral cards collected over the past six years by various individuals.

77 memorial cards

2025-124

Notarial Registers Archive - Public Transfer by Notary Robert Aquilina. R500 Carmelo Giuseppe Vella, R581 Oscar Azzopardi, R634 Ettore Francesco Vassallo, R636 Odoardo Pellegrini Petit, R637 Benedetto Pellegrini Vidal, R638 Giuseppe Pellegrini Petit and four items by unknown creators.

640 items

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

The Malta Shipyards Records During the year under review, the RMU coordinated and successfully finalised the transfer of the Malta Shipyards records from Heritage Malta’s Maritime Museum to the National Archives’ repositories. This transfer was carried out over several sessions, during which approximately 25,000 plans and

drawings were carefully packed and prepared to ensure their protection throughout the relocation process. The RMU was supported in this operation by the National Archives’ Conservation Laboratory, as well as personnel from the Corporate Services Management Unit.

Transfer of the Malta Shipyards records from Heritage Malta’s Maritime Museum to the National Archives’ repositories

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

The Records Management Forum In January 2025, the RMU chaired the 18th session of the Records Management Forum. The session was dedicated to examining the functioning

and implementation of Document Management Systems across the Public Service. Further details are outlined in the table below.

Records Officers Forum - Sessions Session no.

Date

14 January 2025

Participants

Entities represented

OPM, ERA, MHA, HM, NAM, NAO, MTIP, Identità, MSPC, MFET, HOR, MEYR, SCH

Presentations

PRESENTATION 1 Speaker:

Mr Robert Micallef, Principal IT Auditor (IT Audit and Operations Unit) at the National Audit Office

Topic:

Document Management Systems across Government

PRESENTATION 2 Speaker:

Mr Carlo Apap Bologna (Head) and Ms Mary Anne Debono (Assistant Director) at the Document Management Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister.

Topic:

Transforming the Document Process: DMU Insights and Action Plan

The Records Management Forum held at the Central Archive, January 2025

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Records Management Unit 2025 OV E RV I E W

Public Offices supported

Appraisal Letters issued

124

Retention Policies issued

Accessions

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

OVERVIEW OF ACCESSIONS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS 2025

124

2024

202

2023 2022 2021

98 63 142

1 – RECORDS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Feature

The Christian Launer Collection History in Correspondence

F Overleaf: Detail of a letter from Grandmaster and Prince of Malta Manuel Pinto da Fonseca to Charles IV, King of Sicily (later Charles III, King of Spain). 26 January 1762, from Malta.

ollowing the Order of St John’s expulsion from Malta in 1798, high-ranking members of the institution turned on each other to apportion blame for the greatest calamity to befall them for centuries. In a rare, printed document recently donated to the National Archives of Malta, Camille de Rohan, then Grand Prior of Aquitaine, strongly refutes allegations made by the Grand Prior of Russia that he had had pro-French sympathies and had even supported the failed coup of Mikiel Anton Vassalli in 1797. This report is extensive and detailed, providing much information about the Order’s structure and day-to-day management in its final days in Malta. De Rohan’s missive forms part of a 29-document collection connected to the Order of St John donated to the National Archives in 2025. Between 1989 and 1994, Wolfgang Juncker purchased and acquired these twenty-eight handwritten letters and one printed document. This collection then passed to Christian Launer, who generously deposited it at the National Archives of Malta, ensuring its preservation and accessibility for research purposes.

FEATURE – THE CHRISTIAN LAUNER COLLECTION: HISTORY IN CORRESPONDENCE

Except for this one printed document, the remaining twenty-eight are handwritten letters mostly issued by various Grandmasters of the Order of St John to various powers throughout Europe concerning different issues and in various languages. These allow modern researchers to not only track the Order’s involvement in various issues, but to

study the development of diplomatic convention over the two centuries between the collection’s first letter by Grandmaster La Cassiere in 1752 and the latest issued by Grandmaster Hompesch in October 1797, less than a year before the Order was then expelled from the islands.

Donation of the Christian Launer Collection to the National Archives From left to right: Christian and Bettina Launer, Prof. Charles J. Farrugia, Ivan Ellul, Samuel Azzopardi

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

A Varied Collection for a Complex Institution The variety of topics referenced in these letters reflect the chimeric nature of the Order as a religious monastic order with properties throughout Europe, a military crusading force with its own forces and navy, and a temporal power with juridical responsibilities. In correspondence between Cardinal Colloredo and Grandmaster Lascaris (08/1637) reference is made to the military assistance offered by the Order to the Republic of Venice resulting in the capture of the Piazza di Castelnuovo (modern-day Herceg Novi in Montenegro) from the Ottoman Turks. A century later, it is Grandmaster Pinto’s turn to thank Ferdinand VI of Spain for his support in reacting to Mustafà Baxà’s attempt to seize control of the islands, in a clear reference to the failed Slaves Revolt organised that year (12/1749). Other letters concern the administration of the Order’s many properties which were organised in

spread throughout Commanderies Europe and therefore within the realms of several independent sovereigns. These issues range from concerns over the imposition of new taxes on the Order’s properties (19A/1780), clarifications of obligations of the Order’s administrators to the subjects of other powers resident on the Order’s properties (03/1583) and replies to requests for certain properties to be sold and alienated from the Order (04/1587). The Order’s temporal subjection to the Kingdom of Spain and then Naples as feudal holders of the Maltese islands - but not as a religious Order, in which role they answered directly to the Pope! – can also be gleaned not only in the correspondence accompanying the tribute of Maltese falcons, diplomatically dressed as a mere gift (13/1762; 15/1769; 17/1773) but also in several letters discussing the political intrigues within the Royal Courts (14/1763; 21/1785).

Diplomatic Niceties A significant share of the collection reflects the diplomatic conventions of the time and situate the Order within the tapestry of powers at play in Europe. Several are merely expressions of thanks to various political players in Europe for unspecified advocacy (01/1572), recommendations of persons who had rendered valuable service to the Order (24/1792), and appointment of Ambassadors (22/1787). Although

less immediately exciting than letters resounding with the reverb of cannon and musket, these letters are no less valuable and help us to fill in the intricate web of contacts, communication and intrigue creeping over Europe in the early modern period. The considerable efforts undertaken by various powers to introduce their youngest members into the Order testify to the institution’s enduring

FEATURE – THE CHRISTIAN LAUNER COLLECTION: HISTORY IN CORRESPONDENCE

reputation and prestige (19B/1598). Meanwhile Grandmaster Wignacourt’s letter of condolences to Ranuccio I, Duke of Parma, following the demise of the latter’s father-in-law, Giovanni Francesco Aldobrandini, shows

the Order’s continued involvement in European affairs at state-level. Aldobrandini had led several daring expeditions against the Ottomans in his role as chief commander of the Papal Forces (05/1601).

Letter of condolences on the death of Giovanni Francesco Aldobrandini, issued on 6 November 1601 and bearing the signature of Grandmaster Wignacourt.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

La Machine Electrique In a fascinating letter in which the Abbot Audin reports on the health of the Grand Prior Toulouse, who had suffered a stroke, mentions the medical treatment that he was undergoing, referring to a certain

electrical machine making this 1789 document possibly one of the earliest written mentions of this world-changing 18th century invention (23B/1789).

Obverse of letter from Labbé Audin to a Countess residing in Carpentras reporting on the health of the Grand Prior Toulouse, showing reference to 'la machine electrique', issued on 12 August 1789, from La Villedieu.

FEATURE – THE CHRISTIAN LAUNER COLLECTION: HISTORY IN CORRESPONDENCE

Accessible to All Putting pen to paper, these grand personas in the Island’s history come to life in these letters, expressing their aspirations and preoccupations. Reading them, we can build in our minds a fuller and clearer understanding of

the past. Now, thanks to the efforts and generosity of these two benefactors, the Christian Launer Collection is available for consultation at the National Archives of Malta where it can benefit all future generations of researchers.

Letter referencing the Order’s involvement in Venice’ capture of the Piazza di Castelnuovo in Dalmatia, dated 26 November 1687.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Obverse of letter (top) and its letterpacket (bottom) from Grandmaster and Prince of Malta Manuel Pinto da Fonseca to Charles IV, King of Sicily (later Charles III, King of Spain). 26 January 1762, from Malta.

Archival Processing Unit

he Archival Processing Unit ensures that following their transfer to the National Archives of Malta, records of national significance and enduring historical value

are described, preserved and made accessible to all those who seek them.

Processing Collections which are being processed Fonds/Subfonds

Tasks

Boxes and Files

Law Courts Miscellaneous (LCM)

Sorting and re-housing

32 boxes

POL-HQ-CRF: Central Registry Files

Cleaning, sorting and re-housing

136 boxes

POL-09: Ħaż-Żebbuġ Police Station

Cleaned, re-housed, labelled and listed

29 boxes

Malta Relief Fund (MRF)

Cleaned, sorted and re-housed

15 boxes

Accession 2016-045: Governor-General and Office of the President files

Cleaned

3 boxes

Total

215 boxes

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Catalogues Fonds/Subfonds/Series

Progress

British High Commission - Applications

334

CMD-02 (Legacy Records)

On-going

CSG-01 (1900-1901)

5,172

On-going

CSG-01 (1910)

2,942

On-going

CSG-01 (1912)

800

On-going

DLE_Public Transport Labour Control Division_Admiralty Constabulary

247

Finalised

ELO-01-01

110

Finalised

Ġuljana Bartoli (GBA)

108

Finalised

Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar (GLC)

292

Finalised

PDE_0032 Nani Collection

1,367

On-going

George Cross Commemoration Medal - Application Forms for 50th Anniversary (1996-002)

13,497

Finalised

Accession 2016-045: Governor-General and Office of the President files

On-going

HOM-01 (1931-1932)

718

On-going

PDE_0029_Vincenzo Maria Pellegrini

Finalised

PDE_0038_Perit André Zammit Collection

On-going

PDE_0111_Christian Launer Collection

Finalised

2,968

On-going

POL-10: Żurrieq Police Station

429

On-going

Law Courts Miscellaneous (LCM)

1,301

On-going

Malta Relief Fund (MRF)

190

On-going

MIG - Passport Office (1953-1954)

3,389

On-going

MIL

4440

On-going

War Damage Commission (WDC)

10,648

On-going

Total

49,126

POL-HQ-CRF (Central Registry Files 1938-1952)

Items

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Finding Aids Fonds

Items

Ħaż-Żebbuġ Police Station (POL-09)

304

Card indexes of World War II Casualties - Indexed by Dr R. Agius (Accession 2007-004)

3072

Building Notices (BNO)

4708

Zammit-Gauci Collection (PDE_0152)

1397

The Baroness of Benwarrad Maria Angela Kitson Attard Montalto Collection (PDE_0120)

943

Governor-General and Office of the President files (Accession 2016-045)

Total:

10,427

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Commerce Department Fonds (CMD) In 2024, 1,236 boxes of records (Accession 2024‑173) were transferred to NAM from the Commerce Department. These records are legacy material inherited by the Commerce Department from former Ministries, Government Departments and offices whose functions were subsequently absorbed into the Department. To establish the provenance of these records and to understand the administrative bodies that preceded the Commerce Department, extensive research was undertaken during the year. As a result, the Authority Records for the Department of Trade and Industry (1955–1964) and the Department of Trade (1964–2001) were expanded with additional information identified during processing. Furthermore, new Authority Records were created following further

discoveries made during the cataloguing and sorting of the material, namely for Malta. Trade Development Office (c. 1946-c. 1955), Malta. Department of Industry (1964-2001?), Malta. Government Tourist Bureau (1923-?), and Malta. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Agriculture (1967?). Collectively, this work provides archivists and researchers with a robust contextual framework, supporting both effective cataloguing and informed research. Building on this work, metadata for a total of 17,032 documents relating to Lapsed Patents, Expired Designs, Expired Trademarks, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Trade were published on NAM’s online catalogue during the year. Work is currently underway to publish the records of the Department of Industry.

Governor-General Office Fonds (GGO) During the year, the Holdings Management Unit (HMU) continued its programme of decongesting NAM’s off‑site repositories by relocating earlier accessions to archival storage space rented in 2024. As part of this process, all archival boxes are being barcoded to ensure accurate location control and accountability. In parallel, the HMU has taken on the additional task of compiling box‑level inventories and item-level lists. This work has resulted in the identification of several collections that had previously remained ‘hidden’ among the thousands of boxes housed by NAM.

One of the accessions processed as part of this exercise was Accession 2016‑045, which was transferred to NAM from the Office of the President in 2016. However, detailed analysis of both the generated inventories and the physical records demonstrated that not all material within the accession forms part of the Office of the President (OPR) fonds. Instead, the Archival Processing Unit (APU) identified two distinct fonds: records belonging to the Office of the President and records originating from the Governor‑General’s Office.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

This distinction reflects Malta’s constitutional development. The Office of the Governor-General was established by the 1964 Constitution of Malta. The Governor-General served as British monarch’s representative in Malta from 1964 until 1974. Between September 1964 and December 1974, Malta had a monarchical Constitution and the executive authority of Malta was exercised by the GovernorGeneral, on behalf of the monarch of the United Kingdom. On 13 December 1974, constitutional amendments transformed Malta into a Republic within the Commonwealth, transferring executive authority to a Maltese President. Hence, the Office of the President of Malta was established. In practice, all the powers vested by the 1964 Constitution in the Governor-General were transferred to the President, adopted to suit a republic. These shifts created a natural administrative break, which is reflected in the provenance of the records. While the functions were inherited and continued, the change in constitutional authority necessitates the separation of the records into their respective fonds to maintain archival integrity.

The records within this accession span the years 1965 to 1988 and are being arranged and catalogued at item level in accordance with ICA standards. Because the files were not transferred in a consecutive sequence, future work will involve re‑establishing a coherent order across the entire aggregate and allocating files to their correct fonds (GGO or MGO) based on provenance and original order. To ensure long-term preservation, each file is dusted, has metal inserts removed and replaced with appropriate archival-grade fasteners and folders where necessary. The content of the records is diverse and reflects the broad responsibilities of Malta’s heads of state. Files include correspondence from citizens on everyday matters, communication relating to public duties and ceremonial functions, as well as exchanges between Maltese authorities and foreign dignitaries. Many of the documents capture significant events and decisions, offering valuable insight into Malta’s political and administrative history during a period of constitutional transition.

Ġuljana Bartoli Fonds (GBA) The Ġuljana Bartoli (Accession 2024-051) is made up of 31 volumes (volume 23 is missing and was not transferred to NAM). It includes indexes, family trees and information about guspatronati of persons baptised in Malta. This fonds was catalogued by NAM volunteer Anthony Cesare, with

cataloguing work beginning in late 2024 and concluding in 2025. The metadata is now available through NAM’s online catalogue.

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Detail of a family tree from the Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar

Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar Fonds (GLC) During the year, the archival description of several series within the Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar (GLC) fonds was significantly enhanced. Work focused in particular on Series 1, 2, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 21, resulting in improved contextualisation and intellectual control of the material. As part of this work, several boxes from Series 10 were identified as being severely damaged and had therefore not been catalogued previously. The Archival Processing Unit (APU) worked closely with the Conservation Lab to stabilise these documents, enabling their safe cataloguing and subsequent digitisation by Ancestry. Special attention was also dedicated to Series 21, entitled Miscellanea. This series was highly heterogeneous and

disorganised and could not be digitised in its original state. A detailed analysis was carried out on 42 archival units, leading to their reorganisation and division into three distinct subseries: 1. Genealogical Research 2. Personal documents of Arturo Scerri, purchaser of the collection in the early 1900s 3. Personal documents of Doris Scerri, Arturo Scerri’s daughter, a teacher and headmistress who later became active in genealogical research By December 2025, the cataloguing of the first sub‑series (Genealogical Research) was completed. This

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

sub‑series comprises 24 archival boxes, the contents of which were foliated in preparation for digitisation. The records within this Series include material relating to benefices and rights of patronage, marriage endowments, lists of notarial acts, genealogical charts of multiple families, baptism and marriage records and administrative ledgers. Collectively, these documents provide valuable insight into the nature and scope of the genealogist’s work. In particular, they demonstrate that genealogical research was frequently commissioned for legal, personal, testamentary, legitimacy and nobility verification purposes. The records also reveal the extent of travel undertaken for research, including visits to parishes and archives and direct collaboration with other genealogists. Not all investigations were concluded successfully, often due to the absence of supporting documentation or

difficulties in confirming the legitimacy of particular lineages. In June 2024, Ancestry began foliating and digitising the Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar, a process that continued throughout 2025 and was completed in December. A total of 147,171 images were captured during this phase, bringing the overall number of digitised images for the entire collection to 217,217. Throughout the project, the Archival Processing Unit (APU) oversaw the work and provided assistance whenever queries or issues arose. During the year, the GLC online catalogue was also updated after the contents of several boxes from Series 10 were found to be severely damaged and had not been catalogued previously. The APU collaborated with the Conservation Lab to stabilise these documents, ensuring they could be safely catalogued and digitised.

Law Courts Miscellanea Fonds (LCM) Overview In 2025, the APU continued with the cataloguing project for the Law Courts Miscellanea (LCM) fonds. The Law Courts Miscellanea fonds is a collection of loose documents pertaining to different Courts that operated in Malta between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries. The ongoing process of cataloguing is currently focused on documentation from the duration of the rule of the Order of St John in Malta (1530-1798) which alone comprises 665 boxes of documentation.

The documentation in these boxes derives predominantly from the Magna Curia Castellania, the main court at the time and which operated from Valletta, but documentation from the many other courts and tribunals functioning in Malta at the time, such as the Curia Capitanalis, Tribunal Armamentorum and Curia Gubernatorialis among others, is also represented.

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Cataloguing process The Cataloguing process involves dividing the documentation in each box according to the Court or Magistracy of provenance, sorting the documentation per Court according to date (when provided), foliating the documents for ease of future reference and generating a database with an item-level description for the items in this collection. The cataloguing process also included the creation of new authority records for persons and corporate bodies not yet accounted for on NAM’s online catalogue. This was a new exercise introduced in

this resumed process of cataloguing of the LCM collection. Since the collection has already been used and referenced in published research, it was decided not to re-box the documentation according to Court of provenance, but to simply separate the documentation within the box. The documentation within these boxes will then be integrated with the other documentation from the same Court of provenance by means of digital reconstruction.

Progress Previous work on this collection between May 2021 and July 2023, and then between August and December 2024 resulted in the cataloguing of the documents in 56 boxes containing 3,081 items (totalling 34,289 folios). Throughout 2025, an additional 20 boxes containing 1,300 items have been indexed, spanning another 12,134 folios. From June onwards, the item-level cataloguing for the LCM was paused, as focus shifted to basic-level sorting

aimed at identifying registers belonging to the Magna Curia Castellania that require transfer to the National Archives’ Law and Tribunals section in Mdina, and at preparing the collection for potential future digitisation projects. Additionally, the item-level catalogues for boxes 278-282 were completed, resulting in the enriched metadata for 298 legal documents, and the creation of 44 new authority records.

The LCM Cataloguing Project so Far

Period/Year

Boxes

Documents

Folios

Authority Records

June 2021 – July 2023

2,287 (c.88/month)

25,423

N/A

Aug 2024 - June 2025

2,331 (c.211/month)

22,646

339

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Catalogued Boxes (All Time) Period/Year

Total No. of Boxes for the Period

No. of Boxes Catalogued

Box Numbers Catalogued so far

1500-1599

10-12

1600-1699

226

140-147; 185-207

1700-1799

392

278-319

The APU also continued with the high-level metadata collection at file level (box) of elements of the collection and their sorting by Tribunal, to render them more easily referenceable by researchers. In 2025, the same process was continued for another 28 boxes from

the sixteenth century, and 39 boxes for the eighteenth century. A secondary aim of this exercise was to comb through the boxes to identify any registers of Acta Originalia or Provisionarium Criminalium for transfer to their own sub-fond at the Banca Giuratale.

Meta-Data Only Boxes (All Time) Period/Year

No. of Boxes per period

Total No. of cases in boxes

Box Numbers Registered

1500-1599

1,634

13-47

1700-1799

3,868

430-459; 540-545; 582-585

Total:

5,502

Accessibility and Visibility By end of 2024, 17 boxes had had their item-level catalogues been uploaded to AtoM for ease of access together with the authority records generated for the persons, locations and institutions mentioned within them. This year, this process continued apace with 19 more boxes, amounting to 127 new authority records. Several others were amended to include new information, especially

with regards to dating and time in occupation, as it was uncovered from documents catalogued this year. Another aim of this project was to increase the visibility of this important collection by sharing interesting cases on the National Archive’s social media. Throughout 2025, 41 such posts were prepared to raise the visibility of the Law Courts Miscellanea fond.

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Processed records from the Malta Police Force Fonds (POL)

Malta Police Force Fonds (POL) Police Headquarters Records (1930s–1960s) - Central Registry Files This year, we continued processing the Malta Police Force files that were transferred from the Central Registry (Segreterija) of the Police Headquarters to the National Archives in 2014 (Accession 2014-024). Following the successful call for volunteers in 2024 and the significant impact their work had on processing this group of records, additional volunteering sessions were held weekly throughout the year. From June onwards, several volunteers joined NAM archivists and conservators in

cleaning the files, removing metal inserts, chronologically sorting the documents, re‑housing them and cataloguing the material. Through these efforts, the catalogues for the records of 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1946 and 1952 have been made available in the NAM Reading Room, making these records accessible to the public for the first time. The records are stored in an off‑site repository and must be ordered in advance. So far, 157 archival boxes have been processed.

Ħaż-Żebbuġ Police Station Records Between 2024 and 2025, we processed the Malta Police Force records transferred from the Ħaż‑Żebbuġ Police Station (Accession 2021‑121). These records relate to the towns of Ħaż‑Żebbuġ and Siġġiewi. The processing involved cleaning the documents, removing metal inserts,

rehousing, labelling them and barcoding a total of 29 boxes. In addition, an inventory of all the records contained in these boxes was created. The boxes were transferred to a private off-site repository, however, some large registers pertaining to licenses, births, marriages, and deaths.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Malta Relief Fund Fonds (MRF) Between 2024 and 2025, the processing of the Malta Relief Fund (MRF) fonds (1940s-1970s) began with the assistance of a volunteer, alongside research conducted on the collection for a dissertation in part-fulfilment of a Bachelor’s (Honours) degree in History at the University of Malta. This collection was housed in the Office of the President before being transferred to the National Archives in 1979 (Accession 1979-002). The group of records consists of 33 boxes, each containing a large volume of documents—such as applications and correspondence related to the MRF—which required cleaning, removal of metal fastenings and cataloguing. By 2025, sixteen of these boxes had been cleaned and catalogued. These boxes

mainly contain applications received by the MRF in relation to several schemes established to offer financial assistance to the war‑stricken Maltese population. These include the Supplementary Personal Injuries Scheme (54 files), the Outdoor Medical Relief Scheme (304 files), the Large Families Scheme (353 files), the Special Grants Scheme (136 files) and applications related to Lost Property and Personal Possessions (180 files). This last Series has not yet been finalised, as several more applications of this type remain to be catalogued. In addition, 70 miscellaneous files have also been catalogued. Further research and cataloguing are planned for 2026 to continue the archival processing of this collection.

The Christian Launer Collection (PDE_0111) In 2025, Christian Launer, most generously, donated a collection of 28 handwritten letters and one printed document dating to the period of the Knights of St John in Mata (Accession 2025-035). The 28 letters dated between 1552 and 1797 are mostly correspondence issued by the Grandmaster or on his behalf to various rulers, ambassadors and notable figures throughout Europe, and are written in Latin, Italian, Spanish and French. Other letters deal with various businesses of the Order and relations between different Knights

of the Order. The sole printed document was issued by Camille de Rohan, then Grand Prior of Aquitaine, strongly refuting allegations made by the Grand Prior of Russia that he had pro-French sympathies and had even supported the failed coup of Mikiel Anton Vassalli in 1797. Following the donation, various members of the National Archives brought their language-knowledge together to transcribe, digitise and catalogue the Collection, which is now accessible to the general public.

Inset: Wax seal of Grandmaster and Prince of Malta Manuel Pinto da Fonseca from the letterpacket of a letter addressed to Charles IV, King of Sicily, 26 January 1762, from Malta. Part of the Christian Launer Collection. 2 – ARCHIVAL PROCESSING UNIT

The Max Farrugia Collection of Memorial Cards Work began on the Max Farrugia Collection of Memorial Cards, consisting of 28 boxes. The main processes carried out are the full reordering of the collection, arrangement in alphabetical order by surname, assessment of physical condition, basic description

and the identification of duplicate or variant cards. This collection provides a unique resource for social, religious and demographic history, covering multiple decades of commemorative card printing in Malta.

Tony Terribile Collection (PDE_0076) Work also commenced on a new private deposit by Tony Terribile. This time the deposit consists of Remembrance Cards (Series 005) as well as Sonnets, Hymns and Prayers (Series 006). The remembrance cards pertain to priests, friars and personal acquaintances. The material spans from the nineteenth century up to the period shortly before Terribile’s death in 2025, making it invaluable for religious

history, iconography, obituary and commemorative practices, and particularly the prosopography of the Maltese clergy. The Sonnets, Hymns and Prayers series was arranged, given a unique identifier and digitised. A high-level archival description was also created. Once catalogued and available on AtoM, the respective digital object of each Item can be linked as well.

Zammit Gauci Family Records (PDE_0152) In 2025, the Zammit Gauci family deposited their family’s paper records at the National Archives of Malta (Accession 2025_096). The collection comprises of six boxes, whose contents were sorted and given a temporary identifier and an item‑level inventory was created. A more detailed archival description will be developed in the future. Most of the records date from the eighteenth to the twentieth century and are written in Latin, English, Italian and Maltese. The majority of the material relates to notarial and legal documents and contracts, including land records

and bills, with occasional items such as family trees (the family’s own as well as those of other families) and personal correspondence. A particularly noteworthy item (PDE_015202/56/02) is a letter written by Marianna Zammit Gauci to Lilly Zammit Gauci, addressed to Strada Reale 94, Casale Żebbuġ, Malta. In the letter, sent from Catania where Marianna was apparently undergoing medical treatment, she mentions being cared for by a professor and doctors, her observations on local fashion and the fact that few people attend

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

church on Sundays. The inventory also provides insight into the family’s history: records indicate that the same Lilly Zammit Gauci passed away two years

later, and her memorial death card (PDE_015202/54/07) is preserved within the collection.

Authority Records

416

The Archival Processing Unit continued to make significant progress with Authority Records. 416 Authority Records were created in 2025 and they can all be found on NAM’s online catalogue and linked to the records to which they are related (whether as creators or as referenced elements).

Authority Records created in 2025

Digitisation of paper records In 2025, a total of 2,678 large‑format paper records—primarily maps and technical drawings—were digitised.

Most of these originated from the records transferred from St. Luke’s Drawing Office (Accession 2019‑015).

Additional digitisation work focused on:

Malta Government Gazette (1860–1873)

Vincenzo Maria Pellegrini Collection (PDE_0029)

Chief Secretary to Government fonds Series 01 (CSG‑01)

Tony Terribile Collection Series 006 (PDE_0076-006)

Resulting in 3,488 images

Resulting in 2,582 images which are also being made available on the online catalogue

Resulting in 2,139 images from several files

Resulting in 283 images

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Online Catalogue In 2024, the NAM signed a support and maintenance agreement with Artefactual Systems Inc. for the archival software Access to Memory (AtoM). This agreement ensured that NAM could maintain a stable and uptodate platform for both staff and researchers. AtoM serves not only as the institution’s public online catalogue but also as an essential internal management tool used daily by archival-grade staff for description, arrangement and control of the records in NAM’s custody. Training sessions were held for NAM staff to learn how to make the best use of the software for their daily workflows. As part of the agreement, NAM implemented an updated version of AtoM, and a new user interface theme was deployed to enhance navigation and improve the overall user experience for researchers. During 2025, NAM archivists set the objective of bulk importing as many catalogues, currently on spreadsheets,

as possible into AtoM. These spreadsheets—accumulated over the years and previously accessible only in NAM’s Reading Rooms—represent a substantial portion of legacy descriptive work. Making them available online was a key goal to improve metadata, visibility, accessibility and transparency of the nation’s archival holdings. Progress towards this target was significantly affected when NAM’s servers were compromised in a ransomware attack. This incident delayed the plan to complete the bulk import of all remaining spreadsheet catalogues. Despite this setback, NAM succeeded in importing 22,999 new units of description into the online catalogue. Work towards fully migrating the remaining spreadsheet catalogues into AtoM will continue in 2026, with an emphasis on improving data quality, standardisation, and long‑term digital resilience.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Imported Excel catalogues on NAM’s online catalogue (AtoM) Fonds

Items

CSG-01

875

OPM-01

950

LCM

1,035

CMD

17,032

PDE_0045

CPU

135

ELO

2,605

GBA

108

TDR

ODM

CGU

OJN

OVS

129

TAR-01-01 (Bundle 1-3)

Total:

22,999

Overleaf: A training session on the archival software Access to Memory (AtoM) with members of staff from the Gozo Archive. Left: Volunteers working on the Police Headquarters Records (1930s–1960s).

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Volunteers A special thanks goes to all the volunteers and students who have helped us clean, sort, re-house and catalogue the various collections mentioned above. Thanks to

their efforts, hundreds of records are being made discoverable and accessible to the public.

Volunteers

Alfred Bezzina

Cataloguing the Lawrence Gonzi Collection (PDE_0036)

Anna Grech

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Anthony Cesare

Cataloguing the Ġuljana Bartoli (GBA) Fonds and the Perit André Zammit Collection (PDE_0038)

Cristina Emilia Bernasconi

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

David Muscat

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Elisabeth Grima

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Fiona Vella

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Gabriella Azzopardi

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

George Farrugia

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Joseph Casha

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Josette Vella

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Josianne Sammut

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Lara Rossitto

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Luca Camilleri

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Lucas Colatosti

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Luca Zahra

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Marie Claire Vella

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Volunteers (continued) Marisa Azzopardi

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Marlene Debono

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Mary Buttigieg

Cataloguing the Nani Collection (PDE_0032)

Michelle Bunyan

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Pauline Cassar

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Philip Micallef

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Raisa Zammit

Cleaning and cataloguing Series 10 of the Ġuljana LetardCiantar

Rosette Azzopardi

Cleaning, foliating and cataloguing Series 10 of the Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar

Simon Agius

Cleaning, foliating and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Tiziana Borg Busuttil

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Twanny Mifsud

Cataloguing the Chief Secretary to Government (CSG) Fonds (1900)

Vince Pulis

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Vincienne Inguanez

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Volunteering Group Project to archivally process records transferred from the Malta Police Force.

2 – ARCHIVAL PROCESSING UNIT

Students’ Internships Amy Farrugia

Preparing digital files for access and cataloguing the Band Clubs Collection (PDE_0035)

Damien Gerada

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Emilja Vucicevic

Foliation of the GLC

Francesco Masini

Cleaning, sorting and cataloguing the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Julia Camilleri

Cleaning and sorting the Malta Police Force – HQ – Central Registry Files (1930s-1950s)

Julia Reutlinger

Foliation and updating units of description of GLC, cataloguing POL-HQ-CRF, linking digital objects links of PDE_0029 on AtoM

Student intern Julia Reutlinger updating units of description from the Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Archival Processing Unit 2025 OV E RV I E W

49,126

10,427

Catalogued items

Finding Aids

2,678

22,999

Digitised large-format paper records

Catalogued items imported onto online catalogue

Volunteers

Students' Internships

2 – ARCHIVAL PROCESSING UNIT

Detail of an exhibition stand created by the Malta War Relief Fund

Feature

An Analysis of the Malta Relief Fund Collection ROSETTE AZZOPARDI

ne may think that since one of the aims of the National Archives of Malta (NAM) is to make documents, books, records, photos, maps and other informative materials available to the public that all material at the archives is open and available for viewing and research. However, what many are not aware of is that under Law Number 16 of the National Archives Act - CAP 477 created in 2005, there is stipulated that all collections arriving to the archives need to be sealed for thirty years to protect any personal information found within the collection due to GDPR regulations and to allow enough time for the archives to process the collection for ease of access. One such collection is called the Malta Relief Fund fonds, accessioned to the NAM in 1979 from the Office of the President, where it had been stored beforehand. This collection was sealed for over thirty years and was opened for processing in the year 2024. I was lucky enough that, in that year (2024), I had applied for a placement at the NAM through the University of Malta and one of my assigned tasks was to catalogue applications from within this collection.1 1

Azzopardi, Rosette, ‘An Analysis of the Malta Relief Fund Applications’ (Unpublished B.A. Honours Dissertation, University of Malta, 2025), 26-29.

FEATURE – AN ANALYSIS OF THE MALTA RELIEF FUND COLLECTION

Figures 1 & 2: Portrait of Governor of Malta Sir William Dobbie (1940-1942) deemed the ‘Hero of Malta’ after his administration during the war. Source: UM, MS, 396B.

The Malta Relief Fund (MRF) was created in 1941 by the Governor of Malta at the time, Sir William Dobbie (1940-1942), due to the alarming rate of refugees present on the Islands and the increased hardships the Maltese population were being burdened with because of the war (Figures 1 & 2). The main aim of the MRF was to assist all those living on the Maltese islands who had suffered hardships because of the war. Its initial workings centred around providing food, clothing, bedding and blankets but, as the destitutions of the war continued to arise, the MRF felt the need to expand their workings by

2 3

creating new schemes of assistance and calling for donations from both the locals and from international organisations and funds.2 Throughout the 1940s, the MRF took over the operations of the Soup Kitchens. Similar to the Victory Kitchens, they provided three meals a day, to both adults and children, to those who applied through the MRF. They operated from various towns and villages around the Maltese Islands. For those villages who did not have these soup kitchens at their disposal, the locals were provided with coupons which they could exchange for foodstuffs in a few selected groceries and the MRF paid these grocers in turn.3

National Archives of Malta, Malta Relief Fund, CSG-01//1818/1946 – Correspondence in the Press on the Malta Relief Fund. NAM, MRF, CSG-01/2486/1940 – Memorandum regarding the procedure for the distribution of relief out of the Malta Relief Fund.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Figures 3 & 4: The speech read by Governor of Malta, Sir William Dobbie, on the 4th of February 1941 asking for people to be generous and provide donations to the Malta Relief Fund. Source: NAM, MRF, CSG-01/792/1941 – Fresh Appeal by his Excellency.

The assistance and distribution related to clothing, shoes, blankets and bedding were made possible thanks to the kind and generous donations received from both local and foreign sources. On 4th February, Governor Dobbie addressed the Maltese population on the rediffusion to explain the aims of the MRF and to encourage all those who could spare something to donate them to those who lost everything in the war (Figures 3 & 4).4 His call did not go unanswered. So much so, that the Fund needed to expand its workforce by establishing a Board and sub-committees to manage

4 5 6

all these donations and create branch organisations, such as the Help the Homeless Fund (HHF) to handle the distribution of these goods.5 Initially, the MRF opened an office in Birkirkara before moving to a more central location in Brittania Street, Valletta. Although workings between the British Government and the MRF took place, the MRF was solely known as the Governor’s Fund and the chairmanship was succeeded by each new Governor of Malta.6

NAM, MRF, CSG-01/792/1941 – Fresh Appeal by his Excellency. NAM, MRF, CSG-01/5262/1943 – Malta Relief Fund Board. NAM, MRF, CSG-01/8176/1943 – Premises No. 119, Brittania Street, Valletta occupied for use as Office of the MRF.

FEATURE – AN ANALYSIS OF THE MALTA RELIEF FUND COLLECTION

Foreign donations were extremely important for the initial years of the Fund’s operations because they greatly helped with the fund’s mission. The list of all the contributors is extensive but two which are of interest was a

donation received from their Majesties the King and Queen of England in 1941, and a donation received from the British Chocolate Company Cadbury in 1940 (Figures 5 & 6).

Figure 5: Confidential letter sent to the Colonial Office in Downing Street acknowledging and thanking their Majesties the King and Queen of England for their most gracious donation towards the Malta Relief Fund. Source: NAM, MRF, CSG01/792/1941 – Fresh Appeal by his Excellency.

Figure 6: Letter received from Rowntree & Co. informing the Malta Relief Fund that the British Chocolate Company Cadbury had donated the sum of £100 towards the MRF. Source: NAM, MRF-07, Box 17, Folder 3, Bundle 21-3 – Contributions to the Malta Relief Fund (1940-1941).

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Other foreign funds also joined to do their part, such as the Malta War Relief Fund, and they started their own initiatives to help the war-crippled islands by gathering monetary and clothing donations to send. This particular Fund was opened by a community of Maltese who had emigrated to the Metropolitan city after reading about the devastating conditions of the Maltese populations. It was led by a remarkable woman called Mrs Teresa Strickland Colt, the cousin of Mabel Strickland. Her drive and empathy

for Malta drove her to spread awareness of the Islands and the bravery of its people to create empathy amongst the Americans. Thanks to her work, several tons of clothing, shoes and even an x-ray machine were sent for the benefit and use of the Maltese population. Documentation and photographs regarding this collection can be found at the University of Malta Library within the Archives and Rare Books Section (Figures 7-10).7

Figure 7: A newspaper clipping from New York World-Telegram – Gertrude Bailey, Society and Women’s Editor in April 1944 in which Strickland Colt appealed for clothing and household to be donated to the people of Malta. Source: UM, MS 396A.

UM, Archives and Rare Books section, MS 396B-402d and MS460.

FEATURE – AN ANALYSIS OF THE MALTA RELIEF FUND COLLECTION

Figure 8: A Photo of General Sir William Dobbie and his wife with the Malta War Relief Fund Men’s Committee taken during their visit to the US in 1945. Source: UM, MS 396B.

Figure 9: A Photo of General Sir William Dobbie and his wife with the Malta War Relief Fund Women’s Committee taken during their visit to the US in 1945. Source: UM, MS 396B.

List of members: Mr. J.H. Acquilin, Mr. and Mrs. Vella Agius, Mr. Joseph Apap, Mrs. John Attard, Mr. Paul Bajada, Mrs. Melita Bartolo, Mrs. Edward Baron, Mr. A.M. Bonavita, Mr. Anthony Borg, Mr. Victor Borg, Mr. and Mrs. Victor Cali, Mr. Larry Cilia, Mr. Guy N. Cini, Mr. Felix Darmanin, Mr. Joseph Doublet, Mrs. and Mr. Charles Farrugia, Mrs. and Mr. Emanuel Farrugia, The Misses Rose and 8

Carmen Farrugia, Mrs. and Mr. P. Farrugia, Mr. Vincent Farrugia, Mr. Victor Farrugia, Mr. Ralph French, Mr. Charles G. Galea, Mr. Joseph Galea, Mr. Alfred Gauci, Mr. Robert Manduca, Captain and Mrs. Jose Mifsud, Mrs. and Mr. Emanuel Sceberras, Mrs. and Mr. Charles Vella, Mrs. and Mr. Consiglio Vella, Mr. A. Zarb Mizzi, and Mr. Harry O. Zarb.8

NAM, MRF, Box 28 – File 7, Minutes of the Malta Relief Fund Board Meeting held on the 28th of May 1943.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Figure 10: A stand created by the Malta War Relief Fund during an exhibition to spread awareness about the beauty of the Maltese islands and the bravery of its people during the war. Their aim was to inform people about Malta and encourage them to donate money. Source: UM, MS 396B.

After the end of hostilities in the Maltese Islands, the MRF underwent a restructuring in its operation to be able to meet with the new needs of the Maltese population. The late 1940s and early 1950s saw the creation and implementation of several assistance schemes introduced by the MRF which people could apply for in exchange for financial assistance. These applicants were interviewed by 9

what was known as the Sub-committee on Grants to verify that the person was truly in need of help and decide how much money should be granted. These can be divided into main and minor schemes as not all were kept in operation for the same amount of time and other schemes received more applications than others as they were more popular with the Maltese population.9

Azzopardi (2025), 63-143.

FEATURE – AN ANALYSIS OF THE MALTA RELIEF FUND COLLECTION

Main Schemes included: Name

Function

Loss of Income due to Loss of Property

Assisted those who lost properties they rented out, and this was their only source of income.

Supplementary Personal Injuries Scheme

Assisted those who lost their loved ones or main breadwinners due to the war. This was in conjunction with a Governmental scheme of the same name.

Supplementary Outdoor Medical Relief Scheme

Assisted those who required any type of medical assistance, especially those who suffered from tuberculosis. This was in conjunction with a Governmental scheme of the same name.

Large Families Scheme

Assisted families who numbered more than seven people with anything they needed.

Emergency Grants

Created for those applicants who needed money urgently due to various reasons.

Special Grants

Created for those applicants who needed a large sum of money urgently or any other assistance which were not covered by any of the other schemes.

Emigration Grants

For those who wished to leave the Islands in search of better working opportunities but could not afford the travelling expenses. In some cases, aid was also provided to people who wanted to return to the islands.

Minor Schemes included:

Name

Function

Loss of Personal Effects

Assisted those who lost their personal items such as clothing, furniture, cookware, etc. when their homes were blitzed.

Loss of Jobs

For those who were unemployed due to the lack of job opportunities, war impacting their trade or because they were unfit.

Insufficient Means

Created for those who did not have enough income to maintain themselves or their families due to low wages and the high cost of living.

Help the Homeless Fund

A branch organisation responsible for the distribution of clothing through parcels they created depending on the applicants.

Layette Scheme/Fund

A branch organisation which assisted expecting mothers with anything they required for their newborns.

Endowment of Four Cots at the Children’s War Hospital

The MRF sponsored these cots to assist the hospital with the care of children who either got hurt or fell ill due to the war.

Distribution of Artificial Limbs

For those who lost their own due to the war by either purchasing new ones or repairing already used ones.

Marriage Assistance

Provide aid to couples who wanted to get married but required financial aid to do so. In some cases, the MRF assisted them with the purchase of household items they required for their future homes.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

As can be seen, the MRF provided a wide range of assistance and encountered a variety of cases which reflect the multitude of needs the Maltese population required during Malta’s recovery from the war. The applications not only contain information regarding the lives of families and individuals who

lived in those times, but they also provide valuable information regarding the social conditions of the Maltese in the decades after the war. Their letters reveal their struggles and desperations as they tried to return to a normal life, but the hardships and uncertainties of the war presented several challenges (Figures 11-13).10

Figure 11: Instructions on how assistance for those who either incurred damages or completely lost their properties was going to be distributed. Source: NAM, MRF-07, Box 17, Parts 1 & 2 – Malta Relief Fund – Financial Statements and Reports (1940-1941) and other documents.

Figures 12 & 13: An example of an empty Application Form used by the MRF. Source: NAM, MRF-07, Box 17, Parts 1 & 2 – Malta Relief Fund – Financial Statements and Reports (19401941) and other documents.

10 Azzopardi (2025), 63-143.

FEATURE – AN ANALYSIS OF THE MALTA RELIEF FUND COLLECTION

The record-keeping system adopted by the Fund, especially after it settled its aims and operations amongst the chairman and the board members, was to create a folder for each applicant and any documents, correspondence, notes, etc. pertaining to that applicant was kept within the corresponding folder. The standard Government system was implemented for these folders meaning that each new document placed in a folder was numbered using a red pencil and a note was made on the cover of the file under the heading ‘Minutes.’ When the folder was taken out from the MRF office and passed to another person or Department, this was also noted down under this heading. This was done so that the Fund’s secretary could keep track of these folders. By the 1970s, the MRF was still in operation and, after becoming a Republic, the chairmanship of the MRF passed into the hands of the President of Malta and a few employees were kept. Nevertheless, the Fund’s workings had decreased considerably both because the new welfare system implemented by the Maltese Government was taking over its role and because, by that time, the negative effects of the war were no longer felt. Instead, new social problems arose as Malta tried to navigate on its own for the first time as an independent state. A definite closing date for the MRF has not been found so far. As mentioned, after its closure, the documents pertaining to the MRF were moved to the Office of the President until they were moved once again to the NAM in Rabat, where they are still stored.

Nowadays, this collection consists of thirty-boxes in all. The bulk of the documents created by the MRF throughout its existence are stored in these boxes, but additional files relating to the Fund can also be found in other collections housed at the NAM, mainly the Chief Secretary to the Government (Fond: CSG_01) and the Office of the Prime Minister (Fond: OPM). In terms of processing, more work still needs to be done on this collection to make it accessible both online and in the NAM reading room. Some of the boxes have already been cleaned from metal stationary to lessen the damage caused to the paper, placed in archive quality folders for preservation and catalogued according to the cataloguing practices adopted by the NAM. However, given the large number of boxes and the volume of documents in each, this process takes a considerable amount of time to be completed. Despite all the work already done on this collection, more work is planned to continue processing the collection and learn about it. In fact, I plan to dedicate my research for my Masters on it. There is still so much left to discover within this collection and, in the larger picture, its connection to the Maltese population, the British and Maltese Government, local charitable organisations and initiatives, and other international charitable institutions which remain to be discovered.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Figure 14: A letter sent from the American President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to Strickland Colt on the occasion of Sir William Dobbie’s Visit to the United States in 1945, expressing his regret at not being able to make it. Source: UM, MS 396B.

Bibliography Primary Sources: NAM, MRF, CSG-01/792/1941 – Fresh Appeal by his Excellency. NAM, MRF, CSG-01//1818/1946 – Correspondence in the Press on the Malta Relief Fund. NAM, MRF, CSG-01/2486/1940 – Memorandum regarding the procedure for the distribution of relief out of the Malta Relief Fund. NAM, MRF, CSG-01/5262/1943 – Malta Relief Fund Board. NAM, MRF, CSG-01/8176/1943 – Premises No. 119, Brittania Street, Valletta occupied for use as Office of the MRF. NAM, MRF, Boxes 1a-c – Applications. NAM, MRF, Box 17 – List of Contributors. UM, Archives and Rare Books section, MS 396A-402d and MS460. Secondary Sources: Azzopardi, Rosette, ‘An Analysis of the Malta Relief Fund Applications’ (Unpublished B.A. Honours Dissertation, University of Malta, 2025).

FEATURE – AN ANALYSIS OF THE MALTA RELIEF FUND COLLECTION

Offsite repository

Holdings Management Unit

uilding on the structural reforms initiated in 2024, the year 2025 marked the continued operation and consolidation of the dedicated unit established to

manage the extensive holdings of the National Archives

across its various locations. Up to now, the principal focus of the Unit has been the processing of records for transfer to the private repository contracted in 2024, alongside the restructuring of the accessioning process in close collaboration with the Records Management Unit.

This unit is central to strengthening coordination, oversight and standardisation in holding management practices. The holdings of the National Archives are still distributed across eight separate repositories (six located in Malta and two in Gozo).

This requiring sustained strategic management to ensure accessibility, preservation and operational efficiency across all sites.

Central Archive

Rabat, Malta

Courts and Tribunals Archive

Mdina, Malta

Notarial Registers Archive

Valletta, Malta

Ospizio Repository

Floriana, Malta

Secondary Offsite Repository

Ħal Far, Malta

Gozo Archive

Rabat, Gozo

Gozo Offsite Repository

Għarb, Gozo

A privately-owned and managed repository

Rentastore, l-Imrieħel, Malta

3 – HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Distribution of NAM holdings

A privately-owned and managed repository

according to repository

Gozo Offsite Repository

as on 31 December 2025

13%

Gozo Archive

Central Archive

2% 1

Central Archive

29%

(Rabat, Malta)

29%

Secondary Offsite Repository

DISTRIBUTION ACROSS NAM REPOSITORIES

8% 4

Ospizio Repository

24%

(Floriana, Malta)

Courts and Tribunals Archive

Ospizio Repository

A privately-owned & managed repository

13%

10%

24%

Notarial Registers Archive

(Rentastore, l-Imrieħel, Malta)

Notarial Registers Archive

12%

(Valletta, Malta)

Courts and Tribunals Archive

10%

7 6

(Mdina, Malta)

Secondary Offsite Repository

(Ħal Far, Malta)

Gozo Archive

(Rabat, Gozo)

8 5

Gozo Offsite Repository (Għarb, Gozo)

2% REPOSITORY LOCATIONS ACROSS THE MALTESE ISLANDS

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

The Rentastore Project Owing to dire space limitations, most of the accessioned records during 2025 were directly transferred to the repository leased from and managed by Rentastore, a private company providing document and data management services. This decision is enabling us to fulfil our legal obligation to accession records of historical significance originating from public offices when we have run out of storage space. Furthermore, this process allowed the National Archives to keep on accepting private deposits deemed to be of enduring historical value. The transfer of records from the existing inadequate external repositories to this private storage facility started

in late 2024, gaining pace during 2025. This initiative addresses the ongoing significant challenges related to limited capacity, inadequate environmental conditions and insufficient control within our external repositories. The transfer of such records was undertaken in a structured and phased manner, involving the systematic assessment, preparation and relocation of records. As part of the process, each records box was individually barcoded to enable tracking, inventory control and retrieval accuracy. The relocation to a private repository, together with the introduction of significantly improved barcoding, storage conditions, security and overall records management efficiency.

2025 METRICS OF TRANSFERS

Transfers

6,564 Transferred Archival Boxes 2025 2024

6,564 2,658

Right: Barcoding of archival boxes at the Ospizio offsite repository

3 – HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Outgrowing Our Capacity It is evident that the volume of the holdings of the National Archives has seriously outgrown the capacity of its existing logistical infrastructure; 13% of the records are being held in privately rented facilities and an additional 34% housed in other offsite repositories while there is no empty space at the archives. With the continued influx of new accessions, the proportion of the holdings at privately rented repositories will increase significantly, further compounding the challenge. Beyond the considerable logistical and financial strain, this situation has a direct

and detrimental impact on our ability to provide timely and efficient services to researchers and stakeholders. These circumstances present compelling evidence of the urgent need for a purpose-built archival complex, one that consolidates all holdings under a single roof and offers modern facilities to accommodate future growth. Such an investment would not only safeguard the nation’s documentary heritage but also enhance accessibility, reduce operational inefficiencies and strengthen our capacity to meet the evolving needs of a growing client base.

Barcoding of archival boxes at the National Archives’ offsite repository.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Barcoding of archival boxes at the National Archives’ offsite repository.

3 – HOLDINGS MANAGEMENT UNIT

Feature

Emergency Preparedness

mergency preparedness is vital for archives, particularly for institutions such as the National Archives, which safeguard the documentary heritage of the nation. These records are unique evidence of government activity, public rights and collective memory, and their loss would have lasting cultural and legal consequences. Effective planning ensures that staff can respond swiftly to threats such as fire, flooding, power failure, or digital disruption, reducing the risk of irreversible damage. It also supports the continuity of essential public services that rely on access to secure and authentic records. By establishing clear procedures, training, and risk assessments, the National Archives strengthens its resilience and protects materials entrusted to its care. Ultimately, emergency preparedness is not simply a precaution but a core responsibility, ensuring that the nation’s records remain accessible, reliable, and preserved for future generations.

Overleaf: Archival Response Team training session held at the Central Archive, October 2025

FEATURE – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Participation in the READY track 1 and our participation in it The National Archives of Malta faces significant shortcomings in emergency preparedness, leaving its holdings highly vulnerable despite the presence of fire alarms and basic firefighting equipment in most repositories. These measures provide only minimal protection, as no comprehensive risk assessments have been carried out to identify or mitigate threats. Fire remains a major hazard: the institution lacks response plans, evacuation routes, clear protocols and systematic evaluations of fire risks within the building or surrounding structures. Collections are stored in overcrowded, non-fire-resistant spaces, increasing fire load and obstructing safe evacuation. Organisational weaknesses further compound these risks. No staff member is assigned responsibility for emergency preparedness, internal roles are unclear and decision-making relies heavily on a single individual. The absence of an internal emergency communication system, limited or no staff training and a lack of engagement with community volunteers leave the institution ill-equipped to respond effectively.

Essential resources such as priority salvage lists, temporary storage options, emergency supplies and dedicated funding are also missing. Environmental threats, including humidity spikes and stormwater intrusion, continue to endanger already fragile collections. Recognising these issues, we chose to participate in READY Track 1: Safeguarding Heritage Collections, Living Traditions and Practices in the Face of Disasters, Extreme Weather Events and Complex Emergencies, organised by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM). This programme introduces participants to the foundations of cultural heritage risk preparedness, building awareness, strengthening practical skills, and encouraging collaborative approaches to reducing disaster impacts. One of our staff members, Ivan Ellul, Senior Inspector of Records, was nominated to attend the course’s online and in person modules and to carry out a six-month field project focused on improving preparedness at our Central Archive in Rabat.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

NAM staff member Ivan Ellul (third from left) participating in the READY Track 1: Safeguarding Heritage Collections, Living Traditions and Practices in the Face of Disasters, Extreme Weather Events and Complex Emergencies training sessions in Riga, Latvia held during July–August 2025

The Project The project was developed in response to the clear vulnerability of the Central Archive and the risks faced by both collections and users. Insights gained through the READY course highlighted practical approaches to cultural first aid and emergency preparedness, revealing significant gaps in existing systems. Even minor incidents – such as electrical faults or burst pipes – had the potential to escalate rapidly due to limited preparedness, insufficient coordination and inadequate salvage capacity. The initiative aimed to address these weaknesses by translating READY principles into an institutionwide programme. Engagement with staff,

neighbouring stakeholders and the Civil Protection Department ensured shared understanding, aligned responsibilities and a coordinated emergency plan tailored to the archive’s specific risks. Improvements to emergency infrastructure, including cultural first aid kits, clearer signage, marked evacuation routes and basic training, strengthened firefighting overall readiness. A central outcome was the creation of an inhouse cultural first aid team, trained to stabilise damaged materials and operate safely during emergencies, significantly enhancing the archive’s resilience.

Project timeline Period

Activity

Overall Outcome and Output

Stakeholders involved

September

Insight Game

The team identified major risks

Members of the

to the Archives, including the

local community,

nearby fuel station, structural

Archives’ Clients,

2025

instability from clay soil, fire

Volunteers,

hazards, poor drainage, security

University Students,

vulnerabilities and limited space.

the Civil Protection

All agreed that a new purpose-

Department,

built

Staff members,

facility

essential

protect the collections, ensure

the Friends of the National

safety

Archives (NGO),

and

meet

legal

and

cultural responsibilities.

Public Service Officers.

September

Meeting with

The

2025

the Director

Protection was presented with

of the Civil

the need for better collaboration

Protection

between the National Archives and

Director

the

Civil

the

Civil

Protection

Department. The outcome of the meeting was a very positive one with a clear way forward and an agreement of total collaboration between the two entities.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Civil Protection Department

Project timeline (continued) Period

Activity

Overall Outcome and Output

Stakeholders involved

October 2025

Visit and

Several fire hazards have been

Civil Protection

fire audit

eliminated.

fire

Department. National

by the Civil

audit and risk assessment by

Archives management

Protection

a professional company was

and staff.

Department

planned for the following months. The

complete

necessary

procedures

procurement

identify

the

company have been initiated. October

Installation of

Prior to this exercise emergency

National Archives’ staff –

2025

emergency

signage

Corporate Services.

signage

inconsistent. Now signs have

was

sporadic

and

been installed in all the locations where they were missing and improve the visibility of the ones already present. October

First training

Staff members from all the

2025

session of

sections/units of the National

an internal

Archives were given a practical

emergency

training session on how to act

response

to save records in case of an

team

emergency. The training focused

National Archives’ staff.

mainly on training the staff on how to react in case of a flooding/ water infiltration situation. October

Familiarisation

Members

from

the

Civil

2025

visits by 4 shifts

protection

Department

(CPD)

Department. National

of responding

responsible for the area in which

Archives management

officers from

the Central Archives is located

and staff.

the Civil

were given a thorough tour of the

Protection

premises. This way these CPD

Department

members are now familiar with

Civil Protection

the site. November

Meeting re

2025

The location for the installation

National Archives’ staff

emergency

and local suppliers and

exit

been located. The necessary

emergency

exit

has

architect.

procurement procedures have been initiated for the purchasing and installation of fire graded emergency exist.

FEATURE – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Project timeline (continued) Period

Activity

Overall Outcome and Output

November

SAGA

The participants were present

SAGA participants, Private

2025

presentation

with

emergency

Archives, Civil Protection

preparedness of the National

Department, Civil Society,

Archives and future initiatives

National Archives; staff,

based on the learning outcome

public institutions.

the

current

Stakeholders involved

from attending the READY track 1. December

Fire

Staff members from all sections/

Civil Protection

2025

prevention

units of the National Archives

Department and National

and fighting

have attended a Basic Fire

Archives’ staff.

training

Awareness Course at the Civil Protection

Department

with

the following modules: Triangle of Fire, Fire Extinguishers, Heat Transmission, Types of Fire and the Chemistry of Combustion. January

Purchasing,

Emergency

2026

assembling and

assembled and installed in all

staff – Conservation

installation of

the halls of the Central Archive.

Laboratory and Holdings

emergency kits.

Special attention has been given

Management.

kits

have

been

National Archives’

to the most vulnerable sections. February

Meeting re

Agreed

and

National Archives’ staff

2026

Priority list

levels on which to define the

– Archival processing

importance of each individual

Unit, Public Services Unit,

fonds in the National Archives’

Records Management Unit

holding. A series of meetings will

and Holdings Management

be held within different Units to

Unit.

the

criteria

evaluate each of the fonds and grade their importance.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Installation of emergency signage, October 2025

Participants during the Insight Game at the Central Archive, September 2025

Archival Response Team training session held at the Central Archive, October 2025

FEATURE – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Familiarisation visits to the Central Archive by 4 shifts of responding officers from the Civil Protection Department, October 2025

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

NAM staff during the Basic Fire Awareness Course at the Civil Protection Department, December 2025

What's next? The READY project has laid the groundwork for a long-term process that the National Archives of Malta’s management can continue to build upon, particularly in strengthening emergency infrastructure and improving the conservation of records. Its outcomes now provide a framework for extending preparedness measures to other repositories, ensuring that a wider range of collections are better protected. The knowledge gained can also be shared with Church and private archives, the National Library, and museums, helping to create a broader national network

committed to emergency planning. At the same time, the project offers a strong evidence base for advocating increased Government investment in archival resilience. Future development includes establishing a dedicated emergency preparedness unit and continuing to reinforce relationships with heritage professionals, civil authorities and community groups. Through these ongoing efforts, the READY project becomes a catalyst for sustained improvement, supporting a safer and more resilient environment for Malta’s documentary heritage.

FEATURE – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Central Archive

he Public Services Unit is committed to offer an excellent experience to all archives’ users. Our mission is to guide our researchers to the best available sources.

We do this not only by increasing efficient finding aids and catalogues but more importantly we do it in a courteous, professional and friendly manner. Often our researchers become a reference point in the Reading Room, with some of them becoming even friends.

Carmen Borg (third from the right), a researcher from the USA focusing on genealogy, has been attending the Central Archives Reading Room multiple times a week for several months.

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Resuming the previous years’ drive to enhance the infrastructure, this year we initiated the process of modernising the Reading Room, making it a more comfortable and welcoming space, where to spend hours browsing the documents. We had various meetings on the subject, and we are currently at the designing phase hoping to start the works in the coming year.

More importantly, the Public Services Unit continued focusing on selfdevelopment and being able to assist our clients in the best possible way. The in-house training on the use of our online catalogue, AtoM, carried out by the Archiving Processing Unit, was an initiative in this effort.

In-house training on the use of AtoM

On-site research sessions The positive trend in Reading Room activity and research at the Central Archive persisted, reaching once again striking figures. For the first time, the number of clients making use of our on-site services at the Central Archives surpassed the 2,000 mark during 2025.

In total we had 2,127 on-site sessions, an increase of 153 over the previous year. This resulted in an increase in the number of research hours spent at the Central Archive to a total of 6,028 hours, or an average of 20.4 hours of research daily (6 days a week basis).

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

RESEARCH AT THE CENTRAL ARCHIVE Onsite Research Sessions

Hours of Research

Items consulted

2025

2,127

6,028

2024

1,974

4,942

11,548

2023

1,662

4,627

105,63

2022

1,452

4,193

2021

1,146

2,944

Of the 2,127 research sessions, 196 were conducted by foreign researchers, an increase of 48 over the previous year. Similar to previous years, most of these foreigners were researchers living in countries that in the past had strong ties with Malta, particularly countries that hosted Maltese immigrants: Great Britain (71 sessions),

13,161

8,104 6,911

Australia (32 sessions) and the United States of America (30 sessions). The main focus was genealogy and, in fact, the sources that are normally requested are the Passport Applications, marriage and baptism records within the Ġuljana Letard-Ciantar and Customs collections.

RESEARCH SESSIONS BY FOREIGN RESEARCHERS England

Netherlands

Greece

Australia

Germany

Poland

USA

Scotland

Portugal

France

Switzerland

Gibraltar

China

India

Italy

Perhaps, the most remarkable data is related to the items requested by clients, which amounted to 13,161 – an increase of over 1,500 items when compared to 2024. This reflects efforts to increase the accessibility of our records. The Chief Secretary to Government (CSG), the passport applications (MFA 01), police records (POL), the

Building Notices (BNO) and the Official Publications (OPU) collection remained by far the most researched group of records. The latter collection, which includes the electoral lists covering the period 1849 till 1995, together with the Building Notices, are generally used for research in connection with properties and proof of residence.

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Research Sessions per Fonds

Fonds

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total

ADD

275

AGR

ARP

BERQA

105

BNO

126

124

109

925

CAB

CAD

CDE

CIN

CMD

CSG

333

244

363

258

193

253

269

310

243

418

300

3331

CUS

367

DOI

EDU

207

ELO

EPD

GLC

103

690

GMR

286

GOV

296

HOM

LCM

LEM

MDP

MIG

MIL

128

MFA

327

357

148

126

286

176

195

326

123

278

177

126

2645

MGO

MUS

OPM

189

568

OPR

OPU

116

103

102

920

PAR

PDE

308

POL

100

157

129

112

1123

PSC

PWD

314

SSM

SVP

Misc

Total

1328

1131

1176

954

1117

866

894

1402

989

1499

994

811

13161

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

However, genealogy remained one of the most popular themes that was researched at the Central Archive. 4,105 (30%) of the items that have been requested are records used in tracing family history. These include the passport applications (2,645), the Ġuljana LetardCiantar (690), Addolorata burial records (275), Customs collection (367) and the Military personal files (128).

The Addolorata Burial records, opened for research in May 2025, have become a very important and popular source for genealogy besides to research related to the Addolorata Cemetery. Apart from information on the grave, these registers contain biographical information on the deceased, locality where they were born, address where they resided and name of parents and other close relatives.

NAM, ADD, Vol 29, 1905

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Although a high number of the requested documents are stored at the Central Archive, several records had to be brought over from off-site repositories. Besides the off-site repositories administered by the National Archives of Malta, some of our collections are now stored at the Rentastore private repository. During 2025, 205 items had been requested by clients stored at our offsite repositories and another 153 documents were brought over from Rentastore.

While the percentage of requested documents stored elsewhere seems low (less than 3%), this is often frustrating for the researchers asking for these records. When the sought documents are not at the Central Archive, the clients need to re-schedule another appointment to view these records. Moreover, the low request for records outside the Central Archive stems from the fact that most of them are not known by researchers; this scenario will be increasingly changing following the cataloguing work being carried out by the Archives Processing Unit.

Customer care and online services Our online services and electronic services have continued increasing with the same pace of the on-site users. Even here, we have exceeded for the first time the 2000 online requests. Over the past years, this trend is very evident. A combination of internal

and external factors, including the introduction of a booking system for research appointments, the introduction of a pre-booking of documents service as well as the global trend to communicate more via electronic means, contributed to this.

ONLINE REQUESTS 2025

2,067

2024

1,879

2023

1,387

2022

1,412

2021 2020

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

1,599 1,336

A closer look at the type of requests that have been received over the past year, more than 58% (1,190) of the emails were directly related to requests for research on various subjects. These include requests for passport applications (128), family research (272), military and police personal files (51), requests for plans and maps (140), trading licences (50), property related searches (103), audio-visual (104),

World War II (29) and other general miscellaneous research requests (313). On the other hand, 33% (688) emails were related to booking of research appointments, pre-booking of documents, requests for digital copies and other general queries by clients. Finally, 9% (189) of the online communication included request for visits, student internship and volunteering and other administrative-related emails. Administration related requests 189 requests

10% Research-based requests

ONLINE REQUESTS

1,190 requests

58%

Requests for appointments, pre-booking of documents and digital copies 688 requests

33% Breaking down the figure for the research-based requests (1,190), one may understand better the type of research that have been carried out by our online users. Once more, the predominant subject remains genealogy. We received 451 online family search related requests (passport applications, family history and military files), corresponding to 37%. This is slightly higher to the onsite requests related to genealogy (30%). These statistics once again indicate that the National Archives has become a reference point for researchers interested in this type of investigation.

Another key indication is the increase in online requests for audio-visual material over the previous year. This year we had 104 requests compared to the 77 of the previous years. One may attribute this to the launch of the Cecil Satariano films, which drew the interest of various clients, enquiring about this collection and the screening event at Spazju Kreattiv Cinema in October. Another noteworthy statistic is the one related to the online requests on properties (103) which kept the same rate of interest as in the items requested by our on-site clients.

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Below is a complete list of the online requests received per month.

Online Requests received in 2025 Request

Feb Mar

Apr May

Jun

Jul Aug

Sep

Oct Nov Dec

Total

Passport Applications

128

Family History

272

Military files & Police Dossiers

Plans/Maps

140

Trading Licences

Property related research

103

Audio-Visual & MEMORJA

104

World War II

General Research

313

Request for appointment

228

Booking of documents

140

Request for digital copies

189

Miscellaneous queries

131

New accessions

Volunteers & Students

105

Visits/Events

Admin/FNAM

184

175

153

152

138

175

171

189

190 209

175

156

2067

Total

Jan

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

ONLINE RESEARCH REQUESTS RECEIVED IN 2025

General Research

Passport Applications

313 requests

26.4%

128 requests

World War II

Family History

10.8%

29 requests

272 requests

ONLINE RESEARCH REQUESTS

2.4%

22.8%

Audio-Visual & MEMORJA

Military Files & Police Dossiers

104 requests

51 requests

8.7%

4.3% Property related research

Trading Licences

Plans/Maps

103 requests

50 requests

8.6%

4.2%

11.8%

140 requests

GENERAL REQUESTS Request for appointment

228

Booking of documents

140

Request for digital copies

189

Miscellaneous queries New accessions

131 17

Volunteers & Students Visits/Events Admin/FNAM

105 28 39

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Combined on-site and online requests The intensification of the activity at the Reading Room and the Public Service Unit in general at the Central Archive is evident when looking at the overall combined requests for the onsite research session and the online request. Comparing this data with the previous

year, an increase of over 9% emerges. This is the result of the general effort by the National Archives of Malta to increase the awareness about the archives and the strengthening of this institution as the national repository for archival heritage.

RESEARCH AT THE CENTRAL ARCHIVE Onsite Sessions

Online Requests

2025

2,127

2024

1,974

2023 2022 2021

2,067 1,879

1,622

1,387

1,452

1,412

1,146

1,599

Ancillary Services Although our main responsibility is to assist in the research, we also offer reproduction services when requested by our clients. Over the past year, we have seen a surge in requests for digital copies of documents (395) and requests for digital copies from our photographic records (52). Reproduction services from our plans and maps collections during 2025 were like those of 2024 (112). The only service that saw a decrease was the photocopying service (136). Most of the requests for digital material have been made by our

online customers, an indication of the increasing number of general requests we have been receiving through our customer-care online channel. A closer look at the number of images that were reproduced during 2025, one may notice an increase in the number of digital documents that have been already digitised, when compared to the previous year – 7,322 against the 8,424 images that have been scanned for clients in 2024.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Ancillary Services Photocopies

Digital Documents

Digital Plans and Maps

Digital Photos

Requests

Images

Requests

Images

Requests

Images

Requests

Images

2024

171

354

112

2025

136

1172

395

8424

112

426

381

ANCILLARY SERVICES COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS Photocopies

2025

136

2024

171

2023

166

2022

113

2021

105

Digital Documents

Digital Plans and Maps

Digital Photos

112

197

172

106

395 354

208

This year we also processed 17 requests for Passage Assistance Records (PAR) records. These certificates are requested by returned Maltese emigrants who require them as proof of their stay in the foreign country due to pension purposes.

Finally, for those foreign clients who cannot come personally to the Archives, we offer to carry out research on their behalf from certain collections against payment. This year we had 18 requests for such a service.

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Visits Another important aspect of our mission is to increase the awareness about the National Archives of Malta and its importance in the preservation of our collective memory, including outreach programmes and efforts on social media and other traditional channels. In hosting educational and cultural visits, the public is directly engaged and can experience at first hand the work carried out at the Archives. This year we had 58 visits with 867 persons participating. This was the same number of visits as the previous year, however with a slight increase in the number of persons visiting over last year (827). Most of the visits were educational in nature: visits hosting students from

various educational institutions ranging from primary to tertiary level students. The History Option exercise, which is carried out in collaboration with the Department of Education, has by now become an annual event. Year 10 students attending State Schools who chose history as their option, are required to attend a visit at the National Archives of Malta and conduct fieldwork on the primary sources. It is encouraging witnessing these students immersed in the documents. In recent years, we have seen an interest by private and Church schools, in requesting such fieldwork-based visits, even though it is not mandatory in their curriculum.

History Option Year 10, Maria Regina Secondary, Mosta, 8th April 2025.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Another collaboration that is growing year after year is between the National Archives of Malta and the History Department within the University

of Malta. Through this collaboration, university students reading for degrees in history are attending fieldwork sessions at the archives.

Department of Education, state schools’ history teachers, 31st October 2025.

This year we had a number of visits requested by older groups looking for a cultural experience. For most of these people, the visit at the archives comes as a pleasant surprise when they discover the voluminous information that can be accessed. Often, these events serve to induce the interest in

the attendees to start attending the archives as researchers. We also had an online meeting with the Melbourne Maltese Community. This meeting confirmed that the Maltese heritage is still highly valued by the Maltese communities abroad.

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Educational, Cultural and Official visits

History Option Year 10, St Albert the Great College

9th January 2025

University of Malta, LAS 1024

9th January 2025

SPMC career exposure

10th January 2025

Research and Innovation and Development Trust, CEO

30th January 2025

St Benedict College, Kirkop, Year 8

30th January 2025

Cilia Vincenti family

4th February 2025

Elena Eva Ernst

12th February 2025

History Option Year 10, St Margaret College, Cospicua

19th February 2025

Fondazzjoni Paulus

20th February 2025

Ramblers Association of Malta

11th March 2025

Glenn Wright private visit

17th March 2025

APAN, Pensioners Association

20th March 2025

SPMC, Year 5 Class 1

28th March 2025

SPMC, Year 5 Class 2

28th March 2025

St Aloysius College, Sixth Form

1st April 2025

History Option Year 10, SPMC

3rd April 2025

History Option Year 10, St Ignatius College

7th April 2025

History Option Year 10, Maria Regina (Mosta)

8th April 2025

History Option Year 10, St Thomas More (Żejtun)

10th April 2025

MCAST, Cultural Heritage Skills

11th April 2025

Religious community and priests

24th April 2025

History Option Year 10, St Clare College (Pembroke)

30th April 2025

History Option Year 10, Ninu Cremona Sec College (Gozo)

2nd May 2025

History Option Year 10, St Thomas More (St Lucia) and St Ġorġ Preca (Ħamrun)

5th May 2025

Director General MHAL and staff

6th May 2025

University of Malta, Masters in Archival and Information Studies

8th May 2025 (aft)

History Option Year 10, St Nicholas College (Dingli) and St Benedict (Kirkop)

12th May 2025

University of Malta, BA History, HST 1019, first years

15th May 2025 (aft)

MCAST, Cultural Heritage Skills

16th May 2025

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Educational, Cultural and Official visits (continued) 30

Melbourne Maltese Community

20th May 2025

Luther College

22nd May 2025

Junior College History A level students

27th May 2025

FNAM and NGO’s visit

5th June 2025

Cabinet Secretary Official Visit

16th June 2025

Public Service Commission board

1st July 2025

FSWS LGBTIQ+

7th July 2025

FNAM student’s seminar

2nd October 2025

Delegates form the Archivio the Stato, Palermo

16th October 2025

ITS, Tour Guiding students

16th October 2025

International Erasmus students placed at the UM Library

17th October 2025

Malta Society of Arts Volunteers

30th October 2025

Department of Education, History teachers middle state schools

31st October 2025

Year 8, St Thomas More College, Żejtun

11th November 2025

Year 8, St Thomas More College, Żejtun

11th November 2025

Year 11, St Martin’s College

12th November 2025

University of Malta Library and international librarians

13th November 2025

Music Studies students, Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary

14th November 2025

Year 8, St Thomas More College, Żejtun

19th November 2025

Year 8, St Thomas More College, Żejtun

19th November 2025

University of Malta, MA Maltese Studies

22nd November 2025

University of Malta, MA Maltese Studies

24th November 2025

St Ignatius College, Ħandaq

26th November 2025

Year 8, St Thomas More College, Żejtun

2nd December 2025

Year 8, St Thomas More College, Żejtun

2nd December 2025

University of Malta, History Students, HST 1019

4th December 2025

St Martin’s College, Year 10

11th December 2025

Malta Society of Arts Volunteers

11th December 2025

University of Malta, Genealogy Studies Module

22nd December 2025

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

Student Placements During 2025, we hosted 25 students of various nationalities following different educational paths, compared to the 17 students hosted during 2024. Most of these interns were foreigners: German (4), Romanian (4) Czech Republic (2), Italy, France, Serbia, United Kingdom and United States of America (1 each). The students came from various fields of studies including conservation, archives and public administration. Another 10 students came from different Maltese educational institutions

including the University of Malta, MCAST and other post-secondary schools. Two of these students carried out the Systems of Knowledge project. This placement requires the student to carry out 20 hours of voluntary work spread over 10 sessions. The tasks that are generally given during these sessions are cataloguing, sorting and preventive conservation tasks and digitisation of historical records.

Student Placements

100

Name/Surname

Country of Origin

Type of Placement

Jade Seychell

Malta

MCAST - Community Care Services

Emilja Vucicevic

Serbia

Erasmus Plus

Julia Reutlinger

Germany

Erasmus Plus

Christopher Duffy

United Kingdom

International Placement Conservation

Francesco Masini

Malta

UM, Study Unit work placement

Nicole Fischer

Germany

Erasmus Plus

Julia Camilleri

Malta

UM, Study Unit work placement

Damien Gerada

Malta

UM, Study Unit work placement

Antonia Teodora Spiridon

Romania

Erasmus Plus Conservation

Andrea Gabriela Vasile

Romania

Erasmus Plus Conservation

Chiara Badini

Italy

Erasmus Plus

Prokop Schubert

Czech Republic

Erasmus Plus

Martin Zatloukal

Czech Republic

Erasmus Plus

Agathe Rocher

France

Erasmus Plus Conservation

Lucas Colatosti

Malta

Summer Unpaid Placement

Lara Rossitto

Malta

Summer Unpaid Placement

Peter Cuschieri

Malta

SoK

Nicholas Spiteri

Malta

SoK

Amy Svetlana

Malta

Summer Unpaid Internship Giovanni Curmi Higher Sec

Regan Kleiner

USA

International Placement

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Student Placements (continued) Name/Surname

Country of Origin

Type of Placement

Vanessa Kuzma

Germany

Erasmus Plus

Dunja Dvozak

Germany

Erasmus Plus

Andrea Gabriela Vasile

Romania

International Placement Conservation

Teodora Yurica

Romania

International Placement Conservation

Lucas Zahra

Malta

Summer Unpaid Internship

Thanks to these interns, this year we managed to carry out various projects including the completion of the cataloguing of the MIG (Maltese Imperial Government) collection made up of visa applications for entry into Malta. We had started this project 3 years ago and

now this catalogue includes over 29,000 entries. Another initiative that students carried out during 2025 was sorting and re-boxing of the part of the EDU 02 (Department of Education) collection covering the years 1965 till 1980.

EDU 02: sorting and re-boxing of documents (before)

EDU 02: sorting and re-boxing of documents (after)

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

101

Christopher Duffy CONSERVATION PLACEMENT February – March 2025

am a student at West Dean College or Arts and

passport applications to administrative files,

Conservation in West Sussex in the UK, studying

ephemera and even a few printed pamphlets

towards

Studies

and broadsides. Many of the documents I

Conservation

specialising in books and library materials. As

worked on had undergone historic change, often

part of our studies, we are required to complete

the result of high humidity or damp storage

a work placement and so, in February this year I

conditions, prior to them being accessioned by

travelled to Malta to spend time working at the

the archives. Although I have encountered similar

Conservation Lab of The National Archives of

challenges before, some techniques, materials

Malta in Rabat, under the supervision of Senior

and approaches to their repair were new to me,

Conservator Lindsay Galea. My first few days were

and it was a valuable opportunity to be working

spent getting to know my way round the archives

on familiar things in unfamiliar ways.

and understanding more about the institution –

The experience of putting into professional

its history, the kind of materials it holds and the

practice things I have learned in college was

ways in which these materials are shared with

extremely rewarding. I cannot think of a better

the people of Malta and researchers across the

way to grow as an early career conservator. The

world. Time spent with the various departments

welcome and encouragement I received from

was helpful in developing an understanding how

Lindsay, conservator Sofia Kyriaki and the staff

and why documents become candidates for

at the archives made the experience not just

conservation, as well as giving insight into how

professionally rewarding but personally very rich

these objects will be used in the future, which

and I returned to the UK and to college with much

is essential when considering how one should

more than when I left. New experiences, new

approach a conservation project.

skills and new friends. It was an unforgettable

I worked on a wide variety of materials in the six weeks I spent at the archives, from

102

experience and I am extremely grateful for having had the opportunity.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Regan Chalmers-Kleiner ARCHIVAL PRACTICE PLACEMENT October – December 2025

hile earning my Master’s degree in

Government Gazette from the late 1800s, as well

Library

Science

as performed pagination – manually numbering

Management

each page of large files of documents. This work

(MLIS):

and

Information

Archives

Concentration at Simmons University (online),

is essential for the Archives and allows users to

I had the opportunity to participate in a field

view documents without worrying about pages

experience at a local archive in Malta. I chose

being assembled out of order.

The National Archives of Malta as the scope of

During the internship, I attended several

their programmes and interconnectedness to the

presentations and discussions. The Archival

Government of Malta seemed intriguing.

Processing Unit presentation focused on digital

During this internship, my primary project

files in the archive, the processing of active

was cataloguing documented communications

files and the acquisition process. The Records

of the Chief Secretary of the Government (CSG)

Management Unit discussed the challenges faced

for the year 1910. This required deciphering

in implementing records retention policies across

cursive handwriting to transcribe the title, date

all Departments of the Maltese Government.

and related material into an Excel spreadsheet

My internship included a visit to the conservation

at the item level, while following the International

lab and a discussion with the head of the

Council of Archives standards for cataloguing.

department

This data was then imported into the archival

loss-prevention processes.

regarding

reconstruction

and

software AtoM. During the cataloguing process,

I believe the work experience, training and

I learned preservation basics through activities

presentations at the National Archives of Malta

such as removing metal fasteners (like staples),

gave me a realistic job preview for my future

applying loose lamination of plastic casings and

in Archives Management and furthered my

working with delicate paper materials. This project

excitement about an archival profession. It was

helped me to be more familiar with reading

a pleasure working with my supervisor, the staff

cursive, shorthand and some Maltese, as well as

and other interns. I look forward to my continued

identify secondary languages in the documents,

work at the Archives as a volunteer until I either

specifically Italian, French and German. Besides

graduate or leave Malta.

the cataloguing, I digitised three books of the

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

103

Peter Cuschieri SYSTEMS OF KNOWLEDGE PROJECT July – September 2025

s part of my Systems of Knowledge project at Giovanni Curmi Higher Secondary School, I had the opportunity to work voluntarily at the National Archives of Malta. Due to my longstanding interest in history and the fact that I plan to study law at University, I thought a placement at the archives would be perfect. The tasks I was requested to carry out included cataloguing documents from the British High Commission Collection, coming from the Passport Office in the 1960’s, digitising files such as those from the Chief Secretary of Government, the Malta Government Gazette and the Ħamrun marriage records, and some minor conservation where I had to clean up some of the documents before digitising them. These three tasks are essential for preserving and conserving documents, as well as making them more accessible to the public.

104

I would not say I found these tasks particularly challenging, however, to actually work on historical documents, some of which are centuries old was fascinating. The files from the Chief Secretary of Government were particularly interesting as they contained information about Jewish immigration to and from Malta during the Second World War, something which I knew nothing about. Finally, I would like to show my appreciation by thanking all those who helped me during my placement at the archives, particularly the Public Services Coordinator Mr Melvin Caruana, who guided me through my tasks and was always there to help me. It was a pleasure to work there, and I will never forget this enriching experience.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Caterina Ciccotti INTERNATIONAL MOBILITY PROGRAMME September 2024 – March 2025

rom September 2024 to March 2025, I pursued a six-month internship at the National Archives of Malta as part of the mobility program of my PhD in Humanities and Technologies at University of Macerata (Italy), in connection with my research project focused on archival science and digital archives for cultural heritage. During this period, I had the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of both archival practice and methodology,

working under the supervision of Prof. Charles Farrugia and collaborating with other professionals at the archive. In addition to observing, exploring and applying archival methodologies, I was involved in research activities and local sector projects, expanding my understanding of the current challenges in the archival field. This experience significantly contributed to my training and provided valuable insights for my research.

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

105

Jade Seychell

Damien Gerada

Amy Grixti

Martin Zatloukal and Prokop Schubert

Nicholas Spiteri

106

Dunja Dvozak

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Julia Camilleri

Emilja Vucicevic, Julia Reutlinger and Nicole Fischer

Central Archive 2025 OV E RV I E W

2,127

9.2%

Onsite research sessions

Of research sessions requested by foreigners

13,161

2,067

Research sessions per collection

Online requests

Group visits

Student Placements

4 – CENTRAL ARCHIVE

107

Feature

Reaching Terra Incognita Albert Ganado (1924–2025) JOSEPH SCHIRÒ

D Overleaf: Dr Albert Ganado photographed by Joseph Amodio

r Albert Ganado, a towering figure in Maltese cultural and intellectual life, passed away on Sunday 2 November 2025, at the venerable age of 101. He is best known for his encyclopaedic knowledge of maps of Malta, yet few in Malta may fully appreciate the international stature he enjoyed in the field of carto-bibliography. However, he also extensively researched, wrote, and published scholarly articles on Malta’s history, art, legislation, politics, philately and numismatics. He has also published 16 books, but his magnum opus is his study with Dr Agius Vadalà of the Great Siege of Malta maps of 1565 which is a milestone on the subject. Dr Ganado sat on various committees, and his advice was sought on various matters of national importance. He was also appointed Chairman of the National Archives Advisory Committee and Chairman of the Exhibition Sub-Committee and in 1994, he delivered the opening address at the Maltese Archives Exhibition, Santo Spirito, Rabat. In his speech, he articulated:

FEATURE – REACHING TERRA INCOGNITA: ALBERT GANADO

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As the decades unfold over this pearl of the Mediterranean, the residents of Malta, possessing a profound sense of history, culture, and patriotism, should regard the year 1990 as one that must never be overlooked. It was in that pivotal year that Malta witnessed, for the first time in its history, the enactment of legislation aimed at regulating the National Archives.

Dr Albert Ganado (seated first from right), at the inauguration of the National Archives at Santo Spirito, Rabat, 28 May 1994

He would have been extremely delighted and honoured to see what the hardworking and dedicated staff of the National Archives have managed to achieve over these years. On 25 July 2008, Dr Albert Ganado transferred his extensive collection of maps of Malta to the Government of Malta through a notarial agreement. In return, he received ownership of his family home — a government property where the Ganado family had resided for many years. Ed Dahl, then Map Curator at the National Library of Québec, described the act as “a gesture

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of generosity towards humanity.” With the acquisition of Ganado’s collection, Heritage Malta became the custodian of the world’s largest assemblage of maps relating to Malta. Parting with the collection was a deeply emotional decision for Dr Ganado. It represented fifty-five years of painstaking research, dedication, and personal sacrifice. After the transfer ceremony, returning home just a few metres away, he felt an acute sense of loss and needed time to adjust to this new chapter. Yet he drew solace from knowing that the collection would remain

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Dr Albert Ganado (left) and Mr Joseph Schirò (right)

intact, preserved as a valuable resource for study and research, attracting scholars from Malta and abroad across many disciplines. In 2009, Dr Ganado found renewed purpose with the establishment of the Malta Map Society. The Society aimed to promote the appreciation of early cartography, especially antique maps of Malta. Its subsequent growth and the active participation of its members vindicated his initiative. Under his guidance, the Society produced eleven newsletters, ten scholarly journals, and seven books focused on Maltese cartography, and organised two IMCoS international symposia held in 2011 and 2024. Confident in the organisation’s stability, Dr Ganado stepped down as president on 9 March 2021 — his ninety-seventh birthday — and was immediately named Honorary Life Founder President in acknowledgment of his vision, leadership and steadfast support.

On 10 June 2011, during the IMCoS Annual Dinner at the East India Club in London, Dr Ganado was unanimously chosen to receive the esteemed Helen Wallis Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to cartography. His extensive scholarly output and the creation of the most comprehensive map and plan collection of Malta earned him respect among academics and collectors worldwide. The laudatio, delivered by Tony Campbell — then Chairman of the Selection Committee and a prominent historian of cartography — further celebrated his remarkable achievements. Throughout his lifetime, Dr Ganado’s work received significant recognition in Malta. In 1994, the University of Malta Library published Liber Amicorum Dr Albert Ganado, a Festschrift in his honour. On 22 October 2013, the University awarded him a Doctor of Literature (honoris causa) degree, and on 1 December 2017, he received the Faculty of Law’s Academic Excellence Award.

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Dr Ganado’s student identification document for the Royal University of Malta, dated 28 October, 1939

In 2020, he published his autobiography in Maltese under the title Ħajja mhux tas-Soltu, which was later translated into English in 2023 as A Life Not So Ordinary following numerous requests from admirers both locally and abroad. Despite a lifetime dedicated to serious scholarship, Dr Ganado retained a sense of humour and warmth, often delighting those around him with his wit. Known for his generosity, he willingly

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shared his knowledge and resources, always taking time to assist researchers and enthusiasts alike. Both Malta and the international cartographic and scholarly community owe Dr Ganado immense gratitude for his extraordinary contributions. He built a lasting foundation for the study of Melitensia, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve and continue his legacy. His life’s work will inspire generations of scholars to come.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Dr Ganado showing the Ivan Forray Album to Daniel Gullo and Valeria Vanesio

Dr Ganado as a child, 1927

Marriage photo with Muriel neè Orr, 1949

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Gozo Archive

he Gozo Archive continued to render its services from the main premises in Triq Vajrinġa in Ir-Rabat, Gozo. It fulfills the requirements of the National Archives

Act as the public record office for the documentation produced and received by Government departments and establishments in Gozo and Comino. It manages also two offsite repositories, one housing the Notarial Registers Archive (Gozo Section) and the other is an extension of the main one in Victoria.

Premises Although the old Victoria Primary School closed its doors for the very last time on 27 June 2024 after 168 years functioning as the Primary School of Victoria, and, notwithstanding numerous meetings and promises with the relevant authorities, the Gozo Archive has still not been allocated any additional space. The

National Archives of Malta together with the National Library of Malta have been appealing to the authorities concerned to be allocated part of the vacated premises so that they could expand their services and collections. Unfortunately to date no additional premises have been allocated to the two entities.

Overleaf: Iċ-Ċittadella, Victoria. Early colour photograph of St Martin’s demi-bastion showing planted area in front of main gate. This photo is taken shortly before the opening of the breach in the curtain wall in 1956. 1955. Photo by G. Grech (Photo donated by Dr George Azzopardi, Ta’ Sannat). PA/06/03 – 235.

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Staff

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The total current staff complement at the NAG amounts to six employees; another employee has been seconded with a non-government organisation. One of the employees was promoted to the post of Digital Preservation Officer following a call for applications. Currently a trainee under the Government of Malta and MaltaPost agreement for training of persons with special needs is also deployed at the archive. In March, a training session on the AtoM cataloguing system was held for the employees. The Assistant National Archivist, who also manages the Gozo Archive, forms part of the National Archives’ Senior Management Team. During 2025, he represented the National Archivist at the meetings of the

European Archives Group (EAG) and the European Board of National Archivists (EBNA) in Warsaw (March) and in Copenhagen (September). The Assistant National Archivist attended the meetings of the National Archives Council as an ex-officio member on the same Council as provided by the National Archives Act. The issue of lack of space at the Gozo Section was highlighted in several meetings of this Council. On 8 August, the newly appointed Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Gozo and Planning paid a visit to the Gozo Archive. He was acquainted with the work of the Gozo Archive and shown around the premises.

Training session on the AtoM cataloguing system held in March 2025

The Assistant National Archivist, John Cremona attending the School in Archival Studies ‘Malta and the Order of St John in Europe (16th-18th centuries) held in Florence, Italy in September 2025

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Records Management 554 volumes/items were added to the NAG depository during the year under review. This is significantly more than those registered during the previous year: 924 (2023) and 153 (2024). The table below lists the new accessions that were added to the Gozo Archive during the year 2025. Although a significant number of items have been accessioned,

sizeable collections from Government Departments could not be transferred due to lack of space; both the Victoria as well as the Għarb repositories are full. The condition of the collection of Gozo Police archival records was assessed and the selection of records according to the established retention policy was initiated; their transfer will be concluded when space is available.

Contents

Source

Date of Transfer

Description

Extent

Vintage Postcards, Photographs and documents

Private donation Dr George Azzopardi

07/01/2025

Postcards, and photos of Gozo

78 items

School Registers

Ta’ Sannat Primary School

19/02/2025

Attendance and admission registers. Log Books

9 items

Maps and photograph

Private Donation Mr Joseph G. Scerri

04/04/2025

Maps of Gozo and west of Malta and 1 photograph

3 items

X-Rays

Gozo General Hospital

05/05/2025

Folders containing X-Rays negatives and radiographers’ notes

258 items

Vintage Postcards, ephemera and books

Private donation Dr George Azzopardi

23/05/2025

Postcards, ephemera items and books

12 items

Administration report

Private donation by Mr Paul Curmi

16/06/2025

Administrative Report on the workings of the Gozo Civic Council - August 1962

1 item

Vintage Postcards

Private donation Dr George Azzopardi

07/07/2025

Postcards of Gozo

15 items

Vintage postcards and photos

Private donation Dr George Azzopardi

16/08/2025

Postcards and Photos of Gozo

26 items

Cabreo

Private donation Dr George Azzopardi

19/08/2025

Cabreo Gauci Family 1789

1 item

Vintage photographs

Private Donation

29/09/2025

Original and autographed photos of Dun Karm Psaila and photographs related to his life and commemorations

86 items

Notarial Registers

Legal deposit

17/10/2025

Registers of deeds and wills drawn by Notary Emmanuel G Cefai 1977 1990

60 items

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Archival Processing Up to the end of the year, the NAG held fonds from thirty different entities, each of which is subdivided to reflect the

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diverse activity carried out by the entity that created the fonds. The fonds, by the cataloguing code are:

Archives Gozo (National Archives – Gozo section)

Civil Abattoir

Civic Council

Curia Gubernatorali (Courts of Law)

Charitable Institutions

Circulars and Posters

Cremona Collection

Documentaries and Films

Malta Government Savings Bank

Ġurdan Lighthouse

Ġuljana Masini

Hospitals and other Institutions

Inland Revenue

Local Councils

Labour and Emigration

Ministry for Gozo

Medical and Health Department

Monte di Pietà

Notarial Registers

Photographs. Albums

Police Department

Plans and maps

Passport Office

Public Works

Secretariat to the Government

Street naming

State Schools

Statistics

Universitas Gaudisii

Miscellanea

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

The following table shows number of consultations from each fond per month (2025):

Research Sessions per Fonds Fonds

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Total

185

437

TOTAL

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Digitisation During the year under review, the digitisation of three separate fonds – the Medical and Health Department (MH), the Police Department (PD) and Miscellanea (ZM), continued. The MH fonds is by far the most popular and the continuous handling of the fragile volumes and plans is detrimental to their conservation. The last 54 volumes from the PD fonds consisting of Police Occurrences books covering the years 1963 to 1970 have also been digitised, thus completing the

digitisation of this fonds. Digitisation of items from the ZM started. Moreover, the digitisation of the SG fonds pertaining to the first years of British administration on the Island was also continued. This digitisation is being carried out by a trainee employed through an agreement between Government and MaltaPost for persons with special needs. Large-scale plans have been digitised at the Digitisation Unit of the Central Archive.

Public Services Research sessions during 2025 amounted to 263, slightly more than the previous years – 230 (2024) and 252 (2023). The number of research hours amounted to 265, less than the previous two years: 346 (2024) and 316 (2023). The number of items consulted amounted to 437.

During the year 2025, the MH-Medical and Health fonds proved to be again the most popular; followed by the CG Curia Gubernatoriale and GM-Ġuljana Masini fonds.

The following is a break-down of statistics per month (2025):

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Month

Researchers

Hours of Research

Number of Items

January

019

027

034

February

018

029

041

March

069

020

028

April

040

022

056

May

015

023

033

June

014

021

040

July

017

028

034

August

011

015

019

September

019

024

029

October

019

025

059

November

013

018

029

December

009

013

035

Total

263

265

437

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RESEARCH AT THE GOZO ARCHIVE 2023–2025 Researchers

Hours of Research

2025

263

265

2024

230

346

2023

252

316

Number of Items 437 580 502

Conservation Several volumes of the Guria Gubernatoriale Fonds, which sustained some damage due to water infiltration, were cleaned and conserved at the Conservation Laboratory of the National Archives in Malta. A systematic general clean-up and organisation

of the shelving was continued at the Gozo Archive. Wherever possible, volumes and documents were placed in archival boxes whilst archival quality slip-covers replaced those which were not of a good quality.

Maintenance Maintenance work was carried out on the building of the two off-site storage facilities, particularly on the door and window lintels which needed structural repairs. Maintenance, plastering and

whitewashing was carried out on the outside walls of the main archive in Victoria which was presenting various problems of water infiltration.

Maintenance works carried out at the main archive in Victoria, Gozo

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Outreach Staff from the NAG gave its assistance in the gathering of information and in the organisation of the GOZO 100 – the 100th Anniversary of the Gozo Bus Industry (1925 to 2025) commemoration in Gozo. An exhibition with a selection of important documents from the Gozo Archive was held at the Xewkija Windmill which falls under the responsibility of the Directorate of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry for Gozo and Planning.

The Assistant National Archivist gave an interview which was shared on social media regarding the Gozo Album page which features old photographs of Gozo including the Gozo Archive collection. The Gozo Album page is administered by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning. From time to time, the Gozo Archive welcomes interested groups including school students who visit the archives and are interested in its collections and its workings.

Visit by students from the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, March 2025

Overleaf: Black and white photograph showing five Sea Hawk Planes from HMS Eagle over the Comino Channel with the island of Gozo in the background. Admiralty rubber stamp on back of photograph dated 29 November 1956. 1956 (Photo donated by Dr George Azzopardi). PA/06/03 - 258.

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Tony Terribile (1945–2025)

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Feature

Researcher, collector and ethnographer Tony Terribile (1945–2025)

GEORGE CASSAR

mong the most assiduous researchers of the Maltese cultural and religious heritage scene we cannot miss noticing the Sliema-born Tony Terribile. His authored works and his assiduous collecting of images evoking the historical, religious, artistic and ethnographic patrimony of our society is a tribute to his love of his country, Catholic faith and fellow Maltese. In one of the many interviews, Tony acknowledged that during his boyhood he had never played with Meccano or attended a football match. Neither did he ever go to the Sliema Wanderers Football Club, a stone’s throw away from his home. He did, however, spend all his time in churches. This attachment to places of worship and religious rituals and practices grew and grew as he became an adolescent, an adult and continuing to inspire his life during its maturity and old age. This religious closeness included a long career (1966–2002) on the curatorial staff of the Cathedral Museum in Mdina.

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Tony Terribile on his Holy Communion, 21st June 1952. Tony Terribile Collection, National Archives of Malta.

Terribile’s principal focus was especially on Malta’s religious culture comprising its rich tangible heritage – interior adornment of places of worship, processional and devotional statues, religious architecture and design, street statues, niches, wayside chapels, filial churches and cemeteries. He recorded these aspects through the hundreds of photographs which he brought together, many taken by himself, while also adding his observations and descriptions. Furthermore, Terribile cherished recollections of the intangible religious heritage, including rituals and celebrations. His childhood experiences in church, helping in the service during Mass and participating in ceremonies tied to the liturgical calendar, made Tony Terribile an important primary

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source and authoritative contributor to Malta’s corpus of ethnographic and ecclesiastical archives. His bilingual book series Treasures in Maltese Churches / Teżori fil-Knejjes Maltin is one testimony to this. Among the various collections close to Tony’s heart was that comprising Christmas cards – hundreds of cards showed reproductions of paintings and sculptures which, as he himself admitted, had helped him to discover many treasures in convents, churches, sacristies, libraries and museums and of which he had not been aware before. Another significant collection of religion related items is that of the bullettin – that card system, discontinued in 1969, which confirmed the Catholic duty towards the Paschal precept – that

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Tony Terribile (sitting first from left) and Mgr John Azzopardi (standing first from left) shortly after founding the Mdina Cathedral Museum

of receiving Holy Communion at least once a year during the Easter period. A massive piece of work which Terribile built up along the years was the documentation of the life and times of Catholic Malta – Ħajja Kattolika f’Malta. Each volume recorded and recounted the daily happenings in the Diocese, including the Bishops’ circulars, the appointment of new parish priests, laws and regulations issued by the Church authorities and those of the civil authorities which affected the Curia, posters, circulars, photos, and so on. His love for all that related to religion was also embraced in a model church dedicated to the Archangel St Michael, constructed by Tony in his home over a sixty-year stretch. Indeed, he was a cofounder of Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’

Knejjes (The Church Models’ Enthusiasts Society) and was its president between 1993 and 1996. His participation in television and radio programmes helped towards a wider awareness of Malta’s religious, spiritual and cultural heritage. Such broadcasts included Siekta, where he discussed paintings in Maltese churches; Beltna, consisting of documentaries focusing on various aspects of Valletta; and L-Istorja titħallat man-Noti, bringing together the colourful history of band clubs in Malta and Gozo. Learned yet uncomplicated, Terribile’s comments, observations, details, experiences and explanations were easy to understand without ever being in any way simplistic. His only aim was to bring forth and illustrate Malta’s

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heritage, traditions and evolving lifestyle. On many occasions he proved to be a living primary source, especially regarding information about his hometown of Tas-Sliema. In one appreciation, Tony Terribile’s worth is unequivocally expressed thus: “Tony’s contributions to local history, his commitment to the Church, and his passion for preserving Maltese heritage are a lasting legacy.” Tony’s achievements were the result of a lifelong effort to capture the essence of his country’s life and times, and more especially that which touched upon the Catholic legacy of his beloved Malta.

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Tony Terribile at his home library, photographed by 'The People of Malta.'

Tony Terribile depositing his collection at the National Archives of Malta.

Left: A photo of Maltese tenor and actor Oreste Kirkop – with a personal dedication to Tony Terribile. Tony Terribile Collection, National Archives of Malta. Right: A sample of the Holy Communion precept bullettini, from the Parish of Saint Paul, Rabat, Malta (before the precept was fulfilled). Tony Terribile Collection, National Archives of Malta.

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Courts and Tribunals Archive

Overview and Human Resources The Courts and Tribunals Archive underwent a period of transition in both human resources and operational activity during 2025. Staffing levels were strengthened: Archives Officer Rakele Fiott is supporting reading room services while Paul Azzopardi is overseeing surveillance and logistical support functions. This enhancement in human resources is expected to contribute to improved service delivery, particularly in the areas of cataloguing and research assistance. After 22 years of service, Mario Camilleri retired during the year.

During 2025, the reading room registered 84 research sessions, representing an 18.3% increase over 2024. This accounted for a total of 239 research hours, representing a 28.5% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, 2025 recorded the highest number of items consulted since 2021, with 364 items consulted—an increase of 13.4% over 2024 and 19.3% over 2021. The most consulted fonds were those of the Prim’Aula and the Court of Appeals, followed by records of the Tribunal Armamentorum, particularly regarding corsairing, the slave trade and privateering.

Rakele Fiott (Archives Officer)

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Cataloguing Suppliche In 2025, cataloguing work focused primarily on the Suppliche collection, which consists of petitions received by a central office and referred to the competent court or tribunal according to their subject matter. The collection comprises 22 archival boxes covering 1730–1798, approximately 3.5 linear metres. The petitions address a wide

range of legal and administrative matters, including civil and criminal proceedings, appeals, requests for clemency, property and inheritance disputes, family matters, debts and imprisonment. Cataloguing work commenced during the second half of 2025, during which a total of 2,306 individual files dating from 1730 to 1760 were processed.

Part of the Suppliche collection catalogued during 2025

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Magna Curia Castellania – Registri di Suppliche delle Botteghe Additional cataloguing activities during the reporting period included the Registri delle Suppliche delle Botteghe, forming part of the Magna Curia Castellania fonds. This series comprises approximately two linear metres of eighteenth-century documentation, consisting mainly of petitions submitted by residents of Valletta and the harbour

area for the issuance or renewal of commercial licences. The material is preserved in mixed formats, including loose files housed in archival boxes and several bound volumes, some of which contain contemporary indexes. During the period under review, 49 items dating between 1699 and 1755 were catalogued.

Part of the Registri delle Suppliche delle Botteghe, forming part of the Magna Curia Castellania fonds catalogued in 2025

Corte di Commercio – Fallimenti In the second half of 2025, Nicolai Debono, a researcher specialising in commerce and insurance, undertook voluntary work on Commercial Court files titled Fallimenti, documenting commercial bankruptcy and insolvency

proceedings. The series (1816– 1829) comprises approximately 12 metres of shelving, totalling 369 files. Mr Debono catalogued around 145 files, approximately 5 metres of shelving.

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Music Collections Mro Spiro Zammit Music Collection (NAM, PDE_0124) During the course of this year, work also focused on the sorting and cataloguing of the Mro Spiro Zammit Music Collection. Zammit’s compositional archive documents more than sixteen band marches and over forty songs composed between the late 1950s and the 1980s. The collection also comprises musical scores by other Maltese composers and

song arrangements presented for the Malta Song Festival. Of particular interest is the presence of audio recordings, photographs and press cuttings within the collection. These materials, which are currently being fully catalogued, reveal a composer closely attuned to both civic life and more intimate personal expression.

The Vinny Vella Music Collection (NAM, PDE_0101) Another music collection that has recently been worked on is that of the musician Mro Vinny Vella. This collection was donated to the National Archives in 2024 by Vella’s children, shortly after his passing. The collection includes approximately 60 compositions, mostly by Maltese composers, including works by Giuseppe Ciappara, Joseph Abela Scolaro, Emanuel Spiteri and Paul Arnaud. The

work involved sorting through a variety of loose and scattered compositions, many of which are musical arrangements and songs that Mro Vinny Vella himself most likely arranged. There is evidence that these works formed part of the repertoire performed by his band, both during his residency in nightclubs and in performances related to the Malta Song Festival.

The Band Clubs Collection (NAM, PDE_0035) Work has commenced on the cataloguing of the Band Clubs Collection, a digital collection that includes materials related to the history of band clubs in Malta. The collection comprises a wide range of documents, including music scores, meeting minutes, circulars, correspondence, financial records, contracts and agreements, membership registers and photographic material.

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These documents date back to both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Since July 2025, items originating from six different band clubs have been successfully catalogued. The cataloguing of the collection is being carried out by volunteer Amy Falzon, who completed an internship at the Archives in Mdina during the summer.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Other Collections The Raymond Mahoney Collection of Writings (NAM, PDE_0153) By the end of 2025, the National Archives received the collection of writings and lyrics of Raymond Mahoney (1949– 2023) from Kevin Mahoney, brother of the lyric poet and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government. The collection is a rich and comprehensive one, bringing together Mahoney’s verses as well as the written reflections and creative processes behind each musical he composed. Among these are Ġensna, Ulied in-Nanna Venut fl-Amerika, Manwel! Manwel!, Bastilja, and other works that left a significant impact on the history

of contemporary Maltese music, particularly in terms of national identity. The collection also includes a substantial body of song lyrics, including those with which Mahoney won the Malta Song Festival and those that qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest, such as Could It Be and Little Child, as well as other songs of a political and propagandistic nature. In addition, it contains numerous writings broadcast on the radio, together with his memoirs from his time at the Lyceum. The collection is currently being sorted and will subsequently be catalogued.

Part of the Raymond Mahoney Collection of Writings accessioned in 2025

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The Constantino Farrugia Collection of Writings (NAM, PDE_0154) The Constantino Farrugia Collection constitutes a significant and unique archive that documents the theatrical, musical and literary activities of Constantino Farrugia (1920–2001) and his theatre company, The Hit Paraders. It is divided into three main sections: personal theatrical works, manuscript and typescript productions by various authors and printed theatrical works. The collection includes over 160 original plays across multiple genres, together with a substantial body of manuscript and typescript material by Maltese and foreign authors, including works translated into Maltese from Italian and English. It offers valuable insight into amateur and community theatre in Malta from the late 1940s onwards, as well as into performance venues and theatrical

censorship practices across different localities. In addition, the collection includes musical scores composed for theatrical performances, highlighting the close integration of music and theatre during this period. It also serves as an important record of the development of written Maltese, both before the standardisation of Maltese orthography and before the language attained official status. Preserved in excellent physical condition, the collection represents an important component of Malta’s cultural heritage. Its cataloguing and long-term preservation within a national institution ensure accessibility for research and study, as well as the potential revival of these works for future generations.

(left) Costantino Farrugia (1920–2001) (right) Part of the Constantino Farrugia Collection of Writings accessioned in 2025

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NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Digitisation During the year, work continued on the digitisation of the Consolato del Mare, Series 2 (Acta Originalia 1800–1814), carried out by the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library (HMML),

Minnesota. A total of 62 volumes (Volumes 23–84) dating from 1803 to 1812 were digitised, comprising 43,833 leaves, amounting to approximately 7 terabytes of digital data.

Outreach In May 2025, HMML’s former board members, Dr Patricia Simmons and Dr Lester Wold, were on holiday in Malta, during which time they had the opportunity to view the archival collection as well as the work being carried out at the digitisation laboratory managed by HMML. In November, the Banca Giuratale welcomed two groups of students. On 14 November, a group of music students from G.F. Abela Junior College, under the guidance of Mro Manuel Pirotta, visited the National Archives to view the music score collections held therein. These included works by Prof. Charles Camilleri, Mro Frank Vassallo, Mro Spiro Zammit and Mro Vinny Vella. On 26 November, approximately 15 students from Years 9 and 11 attending St Ignatius College, Tal-Ħandaq, visited the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

Section. During the visit, they were shown legal documents related to key events in Maltese history. The students were accompanied by Louise Fiott. On 1 December, students reading for a master’s degree in Maltese Culture and Identity, together with their tutor Prof. Carmel Cassar, visited the Archives, where they were given a presentation on various documents that shed light on the development of Maltese identity. Later in the month, eight students studying genealogy at the University of Malta visited the Archives, where several legal sources relevant to family history and genealogical research were discussed. The visit was led by Prof. Simon Mercieca. The presentations and guided visits around the archival shelves were delivered by Noel D’Anastas and Rakele Fiott.

Visit by a group of music students from G.F. Abela Junior College, under the guidance of Mro Manuel Pirotta held in November 2025

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Visit by a group of history students from St Ignatius College (Ħandaq) held in November 2025

Visit by a group of University students reading for a Master’s degree in Maltese Studies, Culture and Identity, under the supervision of Prof. Carmel Cassar held in December 2025

Concerts featuring Music preserved at the National Archives On 7 February, a performance of the Oratorio Pawlu ta’ Malta was held at the Collegiate Basilica Proto-Parish Church of St Paul in Rabat. The performance marked the 40th anniversary of the oratorio’s first staging. Pawlu ta’ Malta was the first Oratorio written in the Maltese language, with a

libretto by Professor Oliver Friggieri and music composed by Professor Charles Camilleri. The Oratorio was presented as part of the annual Rabat Agape Festival concert, organised by the Paulus Foundation.

Performance of Pawlu ta' Malta at the Collegiate Basilica Proto-Parish Church of St Paul in Rabat held in February 2025

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Research Publications based on records of the Courts and Tribunals Archive Several documents from the Courts and Tribunals Judiciary Section were used as primary sources in published research. The book Sea, Walls & Souls: A Social History of Birgu, Bormla and Isla 1530– 1630 by Rachel Grillo, a Heritage Malta researcher based at the Inquisitor’s Palace, explores everyday life in the three harbour communities during the early period of the Order of St John. For this study, Ms Grillo conducted detailed research on the Magna Curia Castellania documents, focusing on civil and criminal records. Dr Amy Camilleri of the Office of the State Advocate published a paper in the first edition of The Prosecutor’s Journal, the Office’s annual publication. Entitled “The Case of Peppi tat-Tuttu: A Historico-Legal Narrative,” the paper explores a nineteenth-century murder case and the ensuing court proceedings.

In 2025, Noel D’Anastas published a paper in the proceedings of the National Library of Malta’s Public Lectures Series (2021–2022), Striking a Chord: Musical Genres in Malta Throughout the Ages. His contribution, originally presented in September 2022, examined vaudeville artists and music halls in Malta during the interwar period and drew extensively on documentary sources from the National Archives of Malta. In March 2025, D’Anastas delivered a lecture on modern music titled Popular Music in Post-Independence Malta: A Testimony of National Identity. The lecture was part of the series Collective Memories of an Island: A Lecture Series in Honour of Professor Henry Frendo, held at the National Library of Malta, and included the presentation of documents and photographs sourced from the National Archives of Malta.

Rachel Grillo during the launch of the book Sea, Walls & Souls: A Social History of Birgu, Bormla and Isla 1530–1630 held in December 2025

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Noel D’Anastas, a founding member of Ħbieb tal-Arkivji Nazzjonali, was invited to contribute a paper to 25 for 25 – Heirlooms for Posterity, published to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of FNAM.

His contribution, entitled Sounding a Nation: Archival Legacies of Music and Memory in Malta – From Folk Tradition to National Modernity, explores the role of archival sources in shaping Malta’s musical and cultural memory.

During the year, D’Anastas also authored two research papers: • 250 Sena mir-Rewwixta tal-Qassisin: Il-Ġrajja skont id-Dokumenti fl-Arkivji Nazzjonali (250 Years Since the Priests’ Revolt: The Story According to Documents at the National Archives) • Mill-Arkivji Nazzjonali… Żebbuġin fil-Qorti Kriminali Mitejn Sena Ilu (From the National Archives… Żebbuġ Residents in the Criminal Court Two Hundred Years Ago)

In the latest edition of the Malta Journalism Awards, organised by the Institute of Maltese Journalists (IĠM), D’Anastas won — for the second consecutive year — the Award for the Best Use of the Written Maltese Language. He also placed third in the Arts and Culture Journalism Award category for articles referencing material from the National Archives of Malta.

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Noel D'Anastas attending the APE Winter meeting

Online Meetings and International Visibility Archives Portal Europe During 2025, Noel D’Anastas, representing the National Archives of Malta as Country Manager, attended two Archives Portal Europe (APE) Country Managers’ meetings. The first meeting was held in a hybrid format on 15 and 16 May in Zagreb. The agenda included updates from Country Managers and the Archives Portal Europe Foundation (APEF), discussions on mapping standards and archival mapping in support of APE expansion and sessions on digital tools. The meeting also featured a presentation on the ECHOES (Cultural Heritage Cloud) initiative, followed by a workshop. The Winter Meeting was held online on 28 November and 4 December. D’Anastas delivered a brief presentation on the collaboration between APE and Malta, highlighting newly added collections and ongoing digital archival projects. The meeting included updates on the Cultural Heritage Cloud, cascading grants, the Introduction to the Cloud course, initiatives on missing content and data quality and discussions on the APEF Strategy and Action Plan, focusing on development backlogs and prioritisation. Working groups also addressed public relations and explored AI-related topics, including the balance between safeguarding and access, as well as cultural heritage and AI in the context of data spaces.

During this year, the National Archives ingested additional files into the APE portal. As of today, this includes 63 converted files and approximately 103,000 published data items. Over the past year, several further collections were also made available online via APE, including the Curiae Episcopalis et Provicarialis Notabilis Civitatis (CAN), the Malta Tourism Authority (MTA) collection, Cabinet Papers (CAB), the Comitato Permanente Universitari (CPU), the Maps and Survey Sheets of Malta and Gozo (PDM) and part of the Letard-Ciantar genealogy collection (GLC). These initiatives complement the National Archives’ online catalogue and ensure that the collections are accessible within the same platforms and catalogues from other archival and cultural institutions across Europe. Documents from the National Archives of Malta featured in online exhibitions presented by Archives Portal Europe throughout 2025. Earlier in the year, the Archives contributed to an exhibition focusing on children in archives, providing a selection of historical photographs. In October, the Archives participated in the online exhibition Witchcraft with the document The Ghost of a Man Buried Alive, which explores the case of Antonio Azzopardi and the circumstances surrounding his death penalty.

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Professional Development Rakele Fiott and Noel D’Anastas attended the online workshop Disaster Management and Climate Change in Archives, organised by the National Archives of Malta under the EU-funded project Sustainable Archives and Greener Approaches (SAGA), held on 20 and 21 November. During the year, Mr D’Anastas also attended several online sessions focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) technology and archival practice. On 26 March, he participated in an introductory session of AI and Archives, a series of eight video resources organised by the International

Council on Archives (ICA), examining the impact of AI on archival management. During October and November, he attended webinars on AI in archiving and digital preservation organised by Preservica. On 17 December, he participated in a workshop on AI and archivists, conducted by journalist and AI expert Alberto Puliafito and offered by APE to its professional network. The intensive two-hour session focused on the effective use of AI-enhanced analytical tools when working with historical texts and metadata.

Participation in Public Discussions and Cultural Consultations Zvetlana Pace Cassar and Noel D’Anastas participated in a discussion on culture and its role in strengthening the Maltese identity. The event was organised by the Labour Party on 23 February at Dar il-Mediterran, Valletta. These Archivists also participated in the ENVISION2050 consultation on

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Malta’s creative future. This event was organised by the Ministry for Culture, Lands, and Local Government and was held at the Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa on August 5.

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Courts and Tribunals Archive 2025 OV E RV I E W

18.3%

Onsite research sessions

Increase over 2024

239

28.5%

Total hours of research

Increase over 2024

364

13.4%

Items consulted

Increase over 2024

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Detail of a photograph of the Caruana Dingli family in 1906

Feature

The Vella and Caruana Dingli Photo Collection MANDY MALLIA

ctober - the month my eldest sister, Daphne Caruana Galizia, was assassinated - is always, understandably, a more difficult month than most for our family. It is also the month of various family birthdays, including that of my father, Michael Alfred Vella, and of my late mother, Rosemarie née Mamo, and thus also a time for remembrance and reminiscence. With October approaching, I got the idea of contacting my only first cousin on my father’s side of the family, Michel Demajo, to see if there still were any old family photos around. The idea was to borrow them from him, so that I could digitise them as a birthday surprise for my father. I have always been interested in our family history, and I thought that having any old photos digitised would also be a way of preserving them for any other members of the family who may be interested, including my children. My cousin kindly agreed to lending me the photos, and - as I can’t always keep a surprise - soon afterwards, he met with my father and myself to pass the photos on to us. What Michel lent us was a treasure trove of old family memories It was wonderful, for example, to see pictures of my paternal grandparents not as I remember them in their old age, but as young and carefree people, enjoying themselves with their various siblings, in a Malta that is no longer always recognisable.

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Photograph of the Caruana Dingli family on 31st July 1906. Visible in the photograph are Joseph Rizzo Marich (back row, first on the right) and Antonia 'Nina' Rizzo Marich née Caruana Dingli (seated in middle row, first on the left).

We also immediately noticed, however, that many of the photos went far beyond ‘family value,' since they included not only several of a greatgrandfather of mine, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Vella - father of my paternal grandfather, Louis - and of his time in the army, but also various other army-related photos, including ones of my father’s maternal great-grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Raphael Caruana Dingli. The batch of photos also included some of other members of the Caruana Dingli family, including a signed one of my paternal grandmother Helen Vella’s maternal uncle, artist Robert Caruana Dingli, a photograph of her other uncle Robert’s brother, artist Edward Caruana Dingli - in army uniform, a wonderful

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group photo of the Caruana Dingli family (including my father’s maternal grandmother, Antonia (Nina) Rizzo Marich née Caruana Dingli, then still pregnant with my grandmother), and at least one Richard Ellis portrait of my father’s maternal great-grandmother, Martha Caruana Dingli née Garroni. Group photos of the Royal Malta Artillery, the Royal Malta Regiment of Militia, and photos of historical occasions like of the 1903 visit of King Edward VII to Malta, when the latter regiment was granted the designation “King’s Own” are also in the batch. There were also photos of my paternal great-uncle, Lieutenant Colonel Victor Vella - Commissioner-General for Malta in London and Secretary to the Maltese

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Michel Demajo and his maternal uncle, Michael Vella, with the collection of old family photos, October 2025. Portrait photos of Louis Vella (their grandfather and father respectively), and of Antonia 'Nina' Rizzo Marich née Caruana Dingli (their great-grandmother and grandmother respectively) are visible in the photo.

Imperial Government - so I could finally put a face to Uncle Victor’s name, his having died before I was born. The collection of our ancestors’ photos included a particularly large group photo - large enough that it could only be stored rolled up - showing my father’s paternal grandmother (Mary Vella née Pace Stoneystreet, daughter of businessman Chev. Francesco Pace and of Irishwoman Teresa née Stoneystreet) and two of her younger sons, Major Joseph A. Vella (Fifth Army) and Major Charles Vella (KOMR) at a dinner, where they were guests of Maltese migrants in Detroit, just a week or so before World War II broke out. At least one early 1900s group photo of St Aloysius College scouts shows my

paternal grandfather Louis Vella as a young scout, and his father, Lieutenant Colonel Alfred Vella, in army uniform - the only known photo of my great-grandfather with any of his nine children who survived into adulthood, all other photos presumably having got lost or destroyed at some point over the last century. Once all the old family photo collection had been digitised, we thought it would have been a shame for the originals to be put back into a drawer and maybe forgotten, as they had been for a long while. I also firmly believe that we owe it to those who came before us to preserve their memory. Coincidentally, when we were discussing the photos, my father then told me that he thought it would be a

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Mandy Mallia digitally labelling the collection of old family photos, November 2025. Portraits of her paternal grandfather, Louis Vella, and of his brothers, Major Joseph Vella (Fifth Army), Lt Col Victor Vella (RMA) and Major Charles Vella (KOMR) are clearly visible in the picture.

good idea if the (non-personal) photos which might be of historical interest were to be donated to the National Archives of Malta for them to be properly preserved, and for them to be made available to the public for research. I told my cousin what my father suggested, and he agreed wholeheartedly - as long as I handled the donation myself. Michel and I then met up again, and agreed upon which photos were to be donated. What was meant to be a ‘birthday surprise’ for my father turned into a very enjoyable weeks-long ‘project’, with my dining-room table covered in wonderful old photos - weeks of my

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Michael Vella at the National Archives of Malta depositing the Vella and Caruana Dingli Collection, November 2025.

trying to piece together bits and pieces of long-forgotten family history, with calls to my father at all hours to clarify family connections and information, and my husband and children having to hear about some interesting photo or information I had come across while researching online. (Thank you all for your patience.) Once the photos were digitised, then came the long process of trying to give them context (including names, dates, etc), referring to the same photos back and forth, to see if any detail might have been missed. While only having previously seen a picture of my paternal great-

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Items from the Vella and Caruana Dingli Collection, National Archives of Malta

grandfather Alfred Vella as an old man on his memorial card, I began to recognise the younger version of him immediately even in larger group photos. Identifying details in many of the old photos, however, was beyond me, which is where the ‘Malta Vintage History’ Facebook page came in handy - and here, I would like to take the opportunity to thank army connoisseurs Stephen Petroni, Denis Darmanin and others, who were instrumental in supplying information such as dates, locations and regiments for many photos I uploaded on said Facebook page requesting assistance in identifying details, etc. Once most of the labelling was organised, I contacted the National Archives of Malta to see whether they would be interested in the photos being donated to them. My call was taken by the affable George Pisani, who immediately welcomed the idea. One wet day last November, my father, my younger sister (Helene Asciak), my elder daughter (Megan Mallia) and I finally met with Mr Pisani at the National

Archives’ building in Rabat to pass on the photo collection. It was an enjoyable and satisfying meeting after weeks of ‘work’ (there having been some 600 or so family photos to scan and label, obviously not all of which were for donation), and we sincerely hope that not only will the collection of photos be properly preserved for generations to come, but that they will also prove to be a valuable resource for research for anybody who may be interested. We immediately saw this in action, because when it came to examining the large, rolled-up 1939 ‘Detroit dinner’ photo together that day, we were stunned to see that The National Archives’ George Pisani actually recognised a couple of faces, because - as fate would have it - his thesis was about Maltese migrants in Detroit. May the photos be enjoyed by others for generations to come - something that would not be possible without the cooperation of many, including the dedicated archivists, so thank you.

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Notarial Registers Archive

The Notarial Archives Foundation The Notarial Registers Archive is managed by the Notarial Archives Foundation (NAF) following an agreement with the National Archives of Malta on 25 July 2023. The Foundation was entrusted by the National Archives with the responsibility of the operations of leading this important archive following two decades of voluntary efforts in rehabilitating, preserving and raising awareness about it. The NAF is a voluntary organisation, previously known as the Notarial Archives Resource Council, that was established in 2004 and directed by a Board of Administrators; the current President is Dr Joan Abela.

The day-to-day running of the archive is delegated by the NAF to the Notarial Registers Archive Committee (NRAC) in line with the July 2034 agreement. The NRAC is made up of five members while the National Archivist or his delegate has the right to attend as an observer. In fact, the NRAC meets regularly with representatives of the National Archives of Malta to provide regular updates and coordinate activities. During 2025, the NAF team grew to 16 employees and 2 interns who operated within the Departments of Administration, Conservation and Knowledge.

Notarial Archives Foundation staff members

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A community of volunteers continued to remain an integral part of the operations of the Archive. In 2025, they dedicated over 1,700 hours of work in tasks such

as the dusting of manuscripts and the transcription of volumes, all carried out under the supervision of trained NAF staff.

Key events and milestones The NRA Museum Since its opening in November 2023, the NRA Museum has welcomed many visitors to see the manuscripts and documents exhibited there, which include the Kantilena and the eyewitness account of the Siege of 1565. In 2025, the Foundation welcomed over 600 visitors to the Museum,

ranging from individual walk-ins, groups, specialised tours, and schools. The Museum has also been a popular attraction for corporate activities, with organisations treating their staff to a specialised tour of the Museum and the NRA as a team-building initiative.

Specialised tour of the NRA Museum

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Monthly lecture series The Notarial Archives Foundation has been organising a monthly lecture series since 2024. Speakers are invited to deliver lectures on a wide range of topics, which in 2025 included Renaissance art in Malta, medieval Maltese words preserved in notarial documents and the findings of archaeological digs at

the Latnija site. The lectures were well attended in 2025, as the Foundation welcomed over 500 guests. One of the highlights of the year included the lecture of Marie Louise Kold, a Swedish metal artist, during which the new stand for the Kantilena showcase was unveiled.

Maria Louise Kold delivering her lecture at the NRA, April 2025

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Notte Bianca The Notarial Archives Foundation participated in the 2025 rendition of Notte Bianca in collaboration with arts production company Udjenza, which was held on 4 October 2025. The general public was invited to a 30-minute guided tour throughout the NRA, which included a brief tour of the Museum, followed by a theatrical performance of

the Pietro Stellini letters from the NRA Maritime Collection and a visit to the NRA Conservation Lab. The evening was a most successful endeavour, with over 228 guests visiting the premises. At the end of the tour, they were invited to participate in a time-capsule activity, which sought to collect personal memories and preserve them for the next 25 years.

Theatrical performance of the Pietro Stellini letters from the NRA Maritime Collection as part of Notte Bianca 2025

Guests visiting the NRA Conservation Lab during Notte Bianca 2025

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Inter Insulas Symposium On 16 October 2025 the Notarial Archives Foundation hosted its very first international symposium on the connectivity between Malta and Sicily in the archive world. The event was held at the Aula Magna at the University of Malta Valletta Campus, with the generous support of the HSBC Malta Foundation and The Alfred Mizzi Foundation. The symposium was hosted in collaboration

with the Archivio di Stato di Palermo, reflecting both institutions’ commitment to preserving, studying and promoting cultural and documentary heritage. Speakers from Malta, Sicily and beyond participated and reflected upon the shared documentary heritage of the two islands in a bid towards fostering crossborder partnerships.

Inter Insulas Symposium, 16 October 2025

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Saving the historic library of the Carmelite Priory in Valletta In 2022, the historic library of the Carmelite Priory in Valletta suffered severe water damage during a winter storm. Not only was the wooden library structure damaged, but so were countless manuscripts and books. In February 2024, the NAF and its committed team of volunteers started to carefully remove the books and manuscripts from the shelves so that the wooden library structure could undergo urgent restoration. While emptying the shelves, NAF volunteers are also superficially dusting the books and registering them in an inventory. The books are then placed in archival boxes and temporarily stored in a safe area within the Priory. In 2025, NAF volunteers committed over 700 hours of work to the project and a total of 18 shelves were cleared and approximately 60 archival boxes were filled. All volunteers are provided with protective masks and gloves, and the

work is carried out under the supervision of the Head of the Conservation Department. Chanelle Mifsud Briffa regularly conducts site visits to monitor progress and to assist with handling and packing, while NAF Digital Archiving Technician Marsha Iaci oversees the cataloguing process. The Foundation has partnered with The Alfred Mizzi Foundation, which has committed to sponsoring the preliminary works and surveys needed for the conservation of the wooden library structure. This will ensure that the structure is saved for posterity in a professional manner. In November 2025, warranted Wood Conservator Josef Aquilina initiated the analysis of the library’s structural beams. This phase commenced with the careful removal of roof panels to allow access for detailed inspection and further structural assessment.

NAF volunteers working on the library collection of the Carmelite Priory in Valletta

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The Conservation Department Conservation projects In 2025, the Conservation Department undertook conservation treatment on a number of items from the NRA collection. These included a fourteenthcentury manuscript which was being damaged by modern synthetic adhesives, as well as several indexes exhibiting mould-related deterioration. Two of the treatments were generously supported through the NAF’s ‘Adopt-aNotary’ scheme. The treatments primarily comprised mechanical surface cleaning, paper

repairs, consolidation of text and sewing structures, the removal of modern synthetic adhesives and the consolidation of various binding components to improve handling and enhance the long-term preservation of the documents. Photographic documentation before, after and during treatment was taken: condition reports were drawn up and updated accordingly.

Conservation project undertaken by the NRA

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In 2025, the NAF was entrusted with six private conservation projects, including commissions from the University of Malta, Casa Gourgion – A Nobleman’s Home and the Malta Business Registry, in addition to works undertaken for private individuals. Two of these projects are scheduled to continue into 2026. All income generated from these projects are

dedicated towards the preservation of the NRA collection. The NAF Conservation Department also provided advice and assistance on the preservation of historical documents by several organisations, including the Frank Portelli Foundation, the St Agatha’s Crypt Catacombs and Museum, the Żurrieq Local Council, the Żejtun Parish and the Għajnsielem Parish.

Emergency preparedness The Conservation Department continued to develop emergency preparedness plans during 2025, ensuring that all members of the Department and Reading Room staff have the necessary knowledge and skills to act promptly in the case of an emergency. Specific evacuation plans for the Repository, the NRA Museum and other work spaces on the premises were rehearsed and revised. Additionally, new staff members were given the opportunity to follow a First Aid Course, ensuring that staff members

across all departments, but especially staff within the Reading Room, have the necessary skills to act promptly in case First Response must be administered. Any related equipment, such as First Aid kits were checked and replenished accordingly. In 2025, the team ensured that all necessary legal requirements regarding Health and Safety at the workplace were fulfilled, implemented and enforced. A revised risk assessment of the premises was carried out in November 2025 to include any changes in operation.

Parchment-making in Malta Since 2024, a significant collaborative initiative has brought together the Malta Public Abattoir, the NAF Conservation Department and internationallyrecognised parchment specialist Dr Jiří Vnouček of the Royal Library of Denmark. The collaboration seeks to revive the craft of parchment-making in Malta, a practice that may have been dormant for centuries.

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The initiative was funded through a two-year EU grant under the project title Ġilduża and supports the development of this traditional skill and its integration into Malta’s cultural and educational landscape. The official launch of Ġilduża was announced during the Inter Insulas Symposium organised by the Notarial Archives Foundation in October 2025.

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Earlier in the year, skins from local goat and sheep breeds were tested in order to assess their suitability for high-quality parchment production. This research was presented to the public during ‘Festa Laħam’ held in May 2025 at the Public Abattoir, as a means of raising awareness about the project and to promote its significance for heritage preservation. Follow-up trials

conducted in October then focused on surface preparation, with the NAF Conservation Department participating in and evaluating different techniques to optimise parchment quality. This collaboration represents an important step towards uniting traditional knowledge with sustainable practices, and ensuring the preservation and transmission of specialised skills.

Parchment-making project under the guidance of Dr Jiří Vnouček

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The Knowledge Department The Knowledge Department continued to build on the foundations established in 2024, further refining its standards and

procedures to ensure that the collection remains accessible to both staff and the general public.

The Reading Room The Reading Room Section experienced continued growth, accompanied by adjustments in roles and responsibilities. The section is led by two Reading Room Coordinators, who provide dedicated support to the public by handling research requests both onsite and at the offsite storage facility. In 2025, the Section handled over 104 on-site research sessions and 247 off-site research requests. The Section also oversees logistics related to migration, cataloguing, disinfestation and accessions, ensuring that all documentation is accurately recorded and maintained. Related to this, in 2025, several Standard Operating

Procedures (SOPs) and policies were developed, including those related to donations and loans, batch lists, notary accessions, research requests, retrieval of volumes, ethics, and museum evacuation. In 2025, over 900 boxes of volumes were disinfested, with a final batch of volumes anticipated to bring the disinfestation process of the entire collection to a close in 2026. To strengthen the team’s understanding of notarial research sources, a member of the Public Registry delivered an informative lecture that provided valuable insight into how notarial searches are conducted.

The Cataloguing Section In 2025, the Cataloguing Section of the Knowledge Department catalogued over 1,300 documents from the NRA collection and completed the migration of volumes into the first storey of the NRA Repository. This process was supported by the NAF volunteers and Reading Room Assistants, who contributed to surface cleaning and the physical migration of volumes. The Section also developed several SOPs focused on the migration

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and cataloguing workflow. A major collaborative effort between the Reading Room and Cataloguing Sections involved the mass migration of over 1,300 boxes from storage to the Repository to facilitate ongoing cataloguing work. In partnership with the Conservation Department, the two sections also developed a joint SOP on mould treatment to ensure the longterm integrity of the Repository.

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Notarial Archives Register repository

The Digitisation and IT section The Digitisation and IT Section underwent significant positive change in 2025. A Junior Digitisation Officer joined the team to focus exclusively on digitising the collection under the supervision of the Head of the Digitisation Section, Massimo Denaro. A key priority in 2025 was the creation of a dataset for the NotaryPedia project and the digitisation of all documents exhibited in the NRA Museum, carried out in line with established digitisation standards. The team also provided digitisation services to external entities and shared its expertise as needed - any income that was generated was dedicated towards the preservation of the NRA collection.

As digitisation requirements became more clearly defined, new equipment was procured to ensure the highest possible digitisation output. This was useful in experiments conducted on a collection of water‑damaged documents, where advanced digitisation and editing techniques were used to recover faded text. Two SOPs were drafted during the year: one governing the digitisation of the NRA collection and another outlining procedures for offering digitisation services to third parties. A Digitisation Copyright document was also prepared to clarify terms of use.

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IT Initiatives The IT Unit supported several initiatives aimed at improving services within the NRA building. A major milestone was the issuance of a tender for an AI server to support the NotaryPedia project and other AI‑driven initiatives. This server will facilitate experiments in automatic transcription, knowledge extraction and knowledge graph completion. In collaboration with the National Archives, the IT Unit also identified and separated all services specific to the NRA, enabling the creation of a dedicated service contract with MITA. Staff attended MITA training sessions on Request for Service (RFS) procedures and Copilot, ensuring alignment with current expectations and practices. Several infrastructure upgrades were completed, including the installation of

additional CCTV cameras, a new intruder alarm system covering all entry points and the mapping of all network points within the St Paul's Street building. The year was concluded with successful negotiations between the NAF and Microsoft, resulting in favourable rates for Azure and Microsoft 365 under the NGO Sponsorship Scheme. The launch of the Foundation’s website marked another significant achievement, enhancing public access to information about the organisation’s work. Members of the Digitisation and Cataloguing Sections also attended the ICA Barcelona 2025 conference as part of ongoing professional development.

NotaryPedia The NotaryPedia agreement was signed in January 2025, with the official ceremony held in April at the University of Malta. This three‑year collaboration between the University’s Department of Artificial Intelligence, the Ministry for the National Heritage, the Arts and Local Government (which in May 2025 changed its portfolio to the Ministry for Culture, Lands and Local Government) and the Notarial Archives Foundation aims to transform the preservation, analysis and accessibility of historical records. The project focuses on developing the NotaryPedia Knowledge Management Platform, a state‑of‑the‑art

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system powered by advanced AI and knowledge graph technologies. During the year, five Research Support Officers (RSOs) were engaged with the University of Malta (UM) to work across the project’s various work packages, including Automatic Transcription, Knowledge Graph and Knowledge Extraction, Knowledge Completion and System Architecture. A Palaeographer also joined the team to support the creation of a dataset of sixteenth‑ and seventeenth‑century notarial documents and to map the entities associated with different deed types. Several gazetteers are being compiled

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

to support the Knowledge Extraction module. Two UM student placements were hosted at the Notarial Registers Archive, providing valuable exposure to the project and leading to their eventual recruitment as RSOs. The project received significant support from industry partners. Metaphacts and Graphwise/Ontotext each provided complimentary three‑year licences for their enterprise knowledge graph platforms. This combined contribution represents

a major milestone in Malta’s digital heritage efforts, enabling unprecedented access to centuries of notarial documentation for researchers, students and the wider public. A delegation from the NAF participated in the 23rd Colloquium of the Comité International de Paléographie Latine held in Vienna in September 2025, which exposed the Foundation and the NotaryPedia project to other AI-led initiatives applied to historical handwriting.

NAF members at the 23rd Colloquium of the Comité International de Paléographie Latine held in Vienna in September 2025

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Lorenzo Zahra (1926–2025)

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Feature

Guardian of the Maltese Church’s Memory and Tradition Lorenzo Zahra (1926–2025)

REV. PROF. NICHOLAS J. DOUBLET

e have walked among giants, to use a phrase rightly used to honour those who have left a lasting legacy in their field. Even though he would disagree, it is most fitting for Lorenzo Zahra, who like a father received me when I sheepishly walked into the archive of the archdiocese of Malta for the first time, having freshly arrived from my studies in Rome, proud that my superiors had just assigned to me to take care of the Diocesan Archive. These archives, the fruit of five centuries of hardworking men at the service of the Church, needed no taking care of. They were well cared for by this loving figure, a kind of nonno to all at the Curia, who, with Mgr. Joseph Busuttil, Canon Bonello, and many others, had meticulously overseen their placement at the Curia once the archives had been transferred from its centuries-long abode in the Archbishop’s Palace in Valletta to the Casa degli Esercizi della Madonna di Manresa in Floriana.

FEATURE – GUARDIAN OF THE MALTESE CHURCH’S MEMORY AND TRADITION: LORENZO ZAHRA

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Lorenzo Zahra (1926–2025)

Lorenzo, on that day, in his humility, arose from his desk as I walked in. He invited me to sit in his chair. “This is your place now,” he said, to which, of course, I declined. We then went around the Curia seeking a desk and chair for me to set up at the other end of the archives hall. For him, this must have been a moment of reassurance; his legacy and that of many others who had struggled before him, he felt, were somewhat secure. I asked him what I was to do, and he wisely replied: “Open up box by box, get to know them”. For him, it was an opportunity to introduce me to friends, as it were. His was not a clinical approach to these papers, as is often for us nowadays, but the fatherly care of a good steward who knew well that it was his responsibility to preserve as much as he could of a world that was fast vanishing, in responsibility to those who were yet to come. This is the man I got to know over the next few years.

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Firstly, he was a man of indubitable faith. It was in his love for the Church that his care for its cultural patrimony, in whatever form, was rooted. In these scraps of papers, he indeed saw what St Paul VI called the traces of the transitus Domini in history. Well-nourished in his youth by the teachings of St George Preca in the MUSEUM, Lorenzo’s faith was the foundation of his lifelong dedicated and indefectible service to the Church. As a proud native of Vittoriosa, his love for his city and St Lawrence, whose name he proudly bore, knew no limits. Founder in 1954 of the Socjetà Storiko-Kulturali Vittoriosa, he sought out anything that was somewhat connected to his people, took note and treasured every scrap of paper that referred Vittoriosa, and sought out all that somewhat recorded the memory of a bygone age, a glorious time before the devastation of World War II, when the Arloġġ tower still dominated its main

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Zahra (4th from left) was awarded the title of Ġieħ il-Kolleġġjata from the Archpriest and Chapter, at the Collegiate Church of Saint Lawrence, Vittoriosa, 2023

square. In 1990, on the presumed ninth centenary of the parish’s foundation, he founded the parish museum in the Oratory of St Joseph to preserve all that he had collected, which he revered as relics to the memory of his people. As a man of encyclopedic knowledge, he happily recounted how, during his breaks from his job at the power station in Marsa, he would go up to the Biblioteca Nazionale in Valletta as often as he could to nourish his love for the history of this land. A valuable assistant to Mgr. Philip Calleja, who recognised his talents, he first assisted him as curator at St John’s Co-Cathedral, well before any restoration project was on the horizon. Lorenzo would proudly recount how he saved a bench or some other precious artefacts from destruction. Surely, great clerics like Mgr. Calleja set the foundations for appreciating this and other such ecclesiastical monuments. But we are also indebted to such

humble men who supported them in selfless service. As a lover of tradition, Lorenzo was a member of Valletta’s centuries-old confraternities. As if trying the daunting task to save, through his presence and that of friends dear to him, institutions that first came forth in Hospitaller Malta and had survived the turmoil of centuries, and sadly seeing that they would not survive the rush of contemporary life, he sought to preserve the memory of those who had laboured within them, honouring God through their prayer, sacrifice and generous foundation. He took care by safeguarding their archives, drawing up the inventories of many a dusty series of volumes, often abandoned in some oratory sacristy cabinet. His detailed lists, in his unmistakable handwriting, are now an integral part of these archives. He selflessly sought to preserve the existence of many such institutions, being among the last members of

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the Sodality of Souls of Valletta, of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Conception at the Franciscan Conventuals, and of the still flourishing Confraternity of Our Lady of Charity at St Paul’s Shipwreck church in Valletta. He was also among the last members of the Congregation of the Onorati, who, as long as they could, preserved in existence a congregation dating back to the foundation of the Collegium Melitense by the Jesuits, keeping their tradition of mass in Latin and later Italian, in their oratory at the Jesuits’ church. It was Mgr. Calleja who first introduced him to the Archivum Archiepiscopale Melitae to assist with the sorting of a mountain of papers that had accompanied the translocation of the Archbishop’s Curia from Valletta to Floriana. There, in the silence of the archives, broken only by his cassettes playing out his beloved marċi tal-festa, Lorenzo, together with Mgr. Joseph Busuttil, embarked on the momentous task of organising a mountain of fascicoli that had for centuries lingered in sacks in the Curia’s remissi. Opening a volume or box at the Diocesan Archive is difficult without encountering Lorenzo’s invaluable inventory list. He proudly told me how he would stay after hours when the finance offices had closed to sort out rooms of ledgers and books, essentially preserving them from destruction. He was, above all, a man generous with all. Generations of students struggling with their thesis, curious researchers, and seasoned historians will remain indebted to his generous guidance, just as they remain to Mgr. John Azzopardi

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in Mdina. Lorenzo and Mgr. Azzopardi allowed all to be nourished by their seemingly unlimited knowledge of Maltese history and art. As I took my first staggering steps among our papers at Floriana, any research question on my part would indubitably start with: “Lorenzo, have you ever seen anything on this?” Lorenzo would pause momentarily, as if to refresh his memory, and indisputably point you to the document you sought. Even a decade into my work at the Curia, I still often think that if Lorenzo were here, he would know where this information we seek is to be found. Coming to the Curia was, in those days, coming home to family. Every institution has to grow, and today’s world demands professionalism and expertise that were maybe not required for great institutions to survive in simpler days. A decade ago, there were still men working at the Curia who knew the years of war, the hopeful conciliar years, and who had struggled to defend the Church when it was misunderstood. Lorenzo was one such lover of Church tradition, one might say, of living tradition, which is the life of the Church. Tradition was the very foundation and expression of who he was. He was a man of humble service, a simple man devoted to his superiors. He would eagerly wait for the chancellor to come to the office for the day so that he would bring him, with his rattling moving trolley, his mid-morning coffee with two biskuttini, preserved in a jug, just for the Monsinjur. Only the need to assist his wife in a retirement home pushed Lorenzo into giving up his daily routines between

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Lorenzo Zahra receiving the medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontefice presented by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, 2018

Marsa, Floriana and Vittoriosa. He was now in his early 90s and still came daily to the archive, ready to assist and guide all who came within its walls. He never sought any honours, and when the archdiocese of Malta sought to honour him, close to his retirement at 92, with the merited medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontefice, he humbly told me: “Ma kellekx għalfejn!”

This was indeed very little to thank a man who had generously given his life to preserving these islands’ cultural patrimony and, above all, in selfless service to the Holy Mother Church, till the very end. It remains incumbent on us to continue the legacy of such dedicated archivists and lovers of Church tradition, for it is a debt we owe to those who are still to come.

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Frame grab from Cecil Satariano's 1974 film Ilona

National Audio-Visual Institute

he National Audio-Visual Institute (NAVI), operating under the cap of the National Archives of Malta (NAM), is pleased to present its Annual Report for 2025. This

report reflects a year characterised by a steady strengthening in accessioning, digitisation of collections and cataloguing workflows. This year also saw strong public engagement initiatives and the continuation of professional collaboration.

The main responsibility of the audiovisual archivist is the long-term preservation, accessibility and usability of audiovisual material for outreach, research and education. Throughout 2025, NAVI continued to work with established archival standards while also adhering closely to copyright legislation and privacy and ethical considerations. In 2025, NAVI continued to expand its holdings through a diverse range of new audiovisual collections. These include 38 new accessions consisting of around 11,000 images, 100 moving images, 600 audio recordings and around 50 items of ephemeral nature which are directly linked to audiovisual collections.

Throughout 2025, NAVI not only focused on the digitisation and cataloguing of accessions from the current year but also invested time in digitising and cataloguing accessions from previous years. In total, NAVI managed to process 36 accessions which include 22,782 items. 21 of these collections also include fully completed catalogues. As it stands, NAVI holds around 399,100 individual items, some in physical form and others in digital form. These items vary from photographic prints to positive/negative film, reels, audio tapes, cassettes, VHS tapes, reels, ephemera, etc. Such ephemera includes AV equipment from cameras to projectors, trophies, pin badges, theatre scripts and many more.

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The below list contains all accessions received in 2025 and which fall within the remit of NAVI: NAVI accessions received in 2025 Accession Number

Fond Reference Code

Fond title

PBS-01-PHO

Public Broadcasting Services

2025-002

PDE_0108

The Anthony Farrugia Photographic Collection

2025-007

PDE_0110

The Mgr. Enrico Bonnici Collection

2025-012

Joseph Calleia Dinner Photo

2025-014

Malta Shipyards Records

2025-015

PDE_0112

KOMR Collection

2025-026

PDE_0117

AFM Officer’s Mess Photographic Collection

2025-033

PDE_0083

The Lochhead Family Collection

2025-037

PDE_0118

The Ford Malta Convention Photographic Collection

2025-040

PDE_0119

The Squadron Leader Clifton Winnington Grannum Collection

2025-049

PDE_0121

The Monsignor Carmelo Scicluna Photographic Print

2025-053

PDE_0122

The John Conti Borda Collection

2025-055

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Armed Forces of Malta - Headquarters - Audiovisual Material

2025-056

DOI

DOI - images from 2001 onwards

2025-058

PDE_0123

The Emanuel Aquilina Photographic Collection

2025-059

PDE_0125

The John Borg Bonello Collection

2025-062

PDE_0131

The David Rossi Collection - Medjugorje Centre Malta

2025-073

PDE_0132

Boy’s Christmas Midnight Mass Sermon (1935)

2025-078

PDE_0131

The David Rossi Collection - George Borg Olivier papers

2025-084

PDE_0131

The David Rossi Collection – Carmelo Felice Collection

2025-086

PDE_0135

The Alfred Buhagiar Collection

2025-087

PDE_0138

The Deborah Buhagiar Postcard collection

2025-095

PDE_0140

The Ġużeppi Cascun Collection

2025-097

PDE_0047

The Galea Family Photo Collection

2025-107

PDE_0131

The David Rossi Collection – Audibert Rossi collection

2025-108

PDE_0147

Black & White to Colour Activity by Mr Michael Agius of previous Charles Photo Studio.

2025-112

PDE_0150

The Vella and Caruana Dingli Photographic Collection

2025-119

PBS-02-PHO

Portrait of Cecil Satariano

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Overhead scan, including inscriptions, of a page from an album of the AFM Officer’s Mess Photographic Collection. A 1940 photo showing an RMA soldier standing next to the ruins of his home.

Noteworthy collections, and among the larger deposits received in 2025, were the Public Broadcasting Services photographic slides collection, acquired under a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Archives of Malta, as well as digital copies of over 550 recordings, acquired from Mr Jo Debono, a pioneer in the Maltese audiovisual recording scene and the founder of Studioseven. Another impressive accession is footage of Enrico Mizzi’s funeral. Enrico Mizzi had

been leader of the Nationalist Party from 1926 and his term as Maltese Prime Minister in 1950 lasted only three months. The reel was in poor condition and the digitisation process needed extra caution due to the possibility of the reel tearing. However, the process was ultimately successful. Smaller accessions, which include single or very few images, film reels and audio recordings also continued to enrich NAVI’s repository with unique visual testimony.

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Still from The Enrico Mizzi Funeral Footage

Significant progress was made on the processing of one of the most extensive audiovisual collections acquired by the National Archives of Malta: The Times of Malta Photographic Collection. This accession, first received in 2022 under an agreement between the National Archives and Allied Newspapers Limited (C-308), continued to undergo

systematic rehousing, digitisation and inventorying. This would not have been possible without the dedicated contribution of students and volunteers. Their efforts helped us to digitise a total of around 8,000 images in 2025, bringing the total number of digitised images for the Times of Malta collection up to 25,500 images.

The Monsignor Carmelo Scicluna photographic print showing an early bus in Gozo. The picture was taken in front of Saint George’s Basilica, Victoria, Gozo. Present in the picture is the then Archpriest Alfons Maria Hili. 174

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

One target for 2025 was to balance preservation and digitisation with ongoing accessioning. A thorough list

of the progress of cataloguing and digitisation for the 2025 accessions may be found hereunder:

Cataloguing and Digitisation for 2025 accessions Accession title

Description

Progress

2025-012 - Joseph Calleia Dinner Photo

A large format photo shows a dinner organised by the Maltese community of New York in 1936 in honour of the Maltese actor Joseph Calleia (1897-1975).

Digitisation and catalogue complete

Public Broadcasting Services

Following a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Archives and the Public Broadcasting Services Ltd, both parties agree to work together on beneficial services between the two entities. Such services include conservation, cataloguing, digitisation, archival procedures and other collaborative work which is deemed beneficial for both parties.

Batch 1 = Digitisation and catalogue complete

2025-002 - The Anthony Farrugia Photographic Collection

Photos taken by Mr Anthony Farrugia of various football games at the Empire Stadium in Gżira. Photos consist of matches, trophy presentations, trophy displays and team group photos.

Digitisation complete and catalogue in progress

2025-037 The Ford Malta Convention Photographic Collection

This collection depicts a private luncheon held by the Malta branch of ‘Ford of Britain’ at the Malta Hilton. Present at this luncheon are some prominent Maltese and individuals in the Ford company worldwide.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2025-040 - The Squadron Leader Clifton Winnington Grannum Collection

This collection relates to the service record of Clifton Winnington Grannum. Part of this collection includes a silver cigarette case and a silver tray with engraved signatures. Also forming part of this accession are photographic prints and various paper documents from his career with the RAF leading up to his final mission in October 1940 (Missing in Action).

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2025-049 The Monsignor Carmelo Scicluna Photographic Print

This digital copy relates to an early bus in Gozo. The picture was taken in front of Saint George’s Basilica, Victoria, Gozo. Present in the picture is the then Archpriest Alfons Maria Hili.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2025-053 - The John Conti Borda Collection

This collection relates to two images of new entrances (Maltese) to the Royal Navy Saint Angelo School of Catering and Hotel Administration. The two images (group photos) are both dated 1958, taken by the owner. The owner, then Chief Petty Officer, was officer in command of the school in question.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

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Cataloguing and Digitisation for 2025 accessions (continued) Accession title

Description

Progress

2025-026 - AFM Officer’s Mess Photographic Collection

The first part of this collection comprises of four albums of photographic prints of the Royal Malta Artillery serving within the British Army. The second part of this collection comprises of three albums of photographic prints and 75 loose prints of the Royal Malta Artillery serving within the British Army.

Digitisation complete

2025-058 - The Emanuel Aquilina Photographic Collection

The images in this accession relate to the Nationalist Party public, political events. These include mass meetings, prominent members in the party and celebration rallies of the party.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2025-077 - The Giuseppe Fenech Collection

The collection consists of the creator, Giuseppe Fenech, and his family at various locations across the Maltese Islands.

Digitisation complete

2025-086 - The Alfred Buhagiar Collection

1 paper document consisting of a scan of memorial card, 1 memorial card, 2 photographic prints.

Digitisation complete

2025-087 - The Deborah Buhagiar Postcard collection

This collection consists of thirty-seven (37) postcards depicting various topics, such as views of Malta, ports and monuments from both Britain and France, King George V, and First World War troops and vessels (both French and British).

Digitisation complete

2025-066 - The Enrico Mizzi Funeral Footage

This accession consists of one film reel capturing the funeral of Dr Enrico Mizzi, Malta’s sixth Prime Minister. The film was shot by Edward Critien, son of Dr Eduardo Critien, who together with Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici, Dr Paolo Borg Olivier (grandfather of the depositor) and another student were arrested following the student’s protest (May 1919) that joined part of the Sette Giugno troubles.

Digitisation complete

2025-119 - Portrait of Cecil Satariano

Portrait photograph of Cecil Satariano posing with his camera.

Digitisation complete

Parallel to current‑year developments, 2025 also saw substantial progress on accessions received prior to 2025. Several long‑term collections reached completion, including large photographic,

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audiovisual and ephemera‑rich collections such as The Tony Terribile – Ġrajjiet Malta Collection, The Edwin Galea (Galea Art Studio) Collection and The Emmanuel Photo Studio Collection.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

A photo from The Tony Terribile Collection – Ġrajjiet Malta albums, showing the remains of the Royal Theatre in Valletta.

The completion of these historically significant collections greatly enhances research potential, offering insight into Malta’s social, political and cultural

development. A thorough list of the progress of cataloguing and digitisation for accessions prior to 2025 may be found hereunder:

Cataloguing and Digitisation for accessions prior to 2025 Accession title

Description

Progress

2024-101 - The Peter Paul Ciantar Collection

6 photos of St George’s feast in Rabat, Gozo 1967 and 4 photos of actors from Maltese TV programmes.

Digitisation complete

2024-008 - The Edwin Galea (Galea’s Art Studio) Collection

Audio-visual material belonging to Edwin Galea (1934-2023) covering mostly Valletta, Galea’s Art shop, Maltese lifestyle, family lifestyle, holidays.

Digitisation complete and catalogue in progress

2024-100 - The Vinny Vella Music Collection

Newspaper cutouts from a portfolio of newspapers.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2024-095 - The Emmanuel Photo Studio Collection

This collection of photographic prints was donated by Rose Busuttil, daughter of Emmanuel Busuttil. It consists of views of Malta, family photos, opera stars and musicians (mostly working at the Orpheum Theatre), Army and Navy photos. The ‘Emanuel Photo Studio’ started in Bormla (in front of the Dockyard) and moved to Gżira in 1935.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

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Cataloguing and Digitisation for accessions prior to 2025 (continued) Accession title

Description

Progress

2024-156 - The Leonard William Brown Collection

286 digital surrogates of 35mm slides, 1 excel sheet of index of slides, 1 mp4 (34 mins, 27 secs) titled ‘Memories of Malta’, 1 word doc title ‘Memories of Malta - background and transcript’.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2024-128 - The Kevin Casha Photographic Collection

Photographic positive slides created by the Kevin Casha Photographic Services Ltd. The collection includes studio and outdoor portraits, events of various nature, locations, natural landscapes etc.

Digitisation complete and catalogue in progress

2015-029 - The Tony Terribile Collection - Ġrajjiet Malta

The Ġrajjiet Malta bir-ritratti is a collection of records collated by Tony Terribile (19452025) and donated to the National Archives.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

The collection consists of: - 8 folders of photos, covering events and views of Malta, mostly during the twentieth century. Most photos have a short description drawn up by Mr Terribile. - 3 handwritten registers, written by Tony Terribile, with information and background to some of the photos and the events covered. The Registers cover the periods 1978-1982, 1983-1985 and 1986-1988.

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The Salvu Scerri Collection

Digitally scanned images of graphic design artwork created by Salvu Scerri. Artwork consists of adverts, product labels, publications and posters. Salvu Scerri is considered to be one of the first graphic designers in Malta.

2024-194 Anonymous Photographic Collection

This private deposit consists of family photos, including some of an individual’s career in the Royal Air Force (Luqa). Deposit was donated anonymously.

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2022-030 - Rita and Nora Vella Brincat Collection

Photographs of locations and sewing patterns prepared by Prassede Vella Brincat. Photos also include Queen Elizabeth’s state visit to Malta in May 1998.

Digitisation complete

2023-022 - Louis Borg Manché Private Deposit

Photographic slides used for tourist brochures.

Catalogue complete

2015-027 Anthony H. Abela Collection (Family portraits)

Portrait photographs.

Digitisation complete

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Cataloguing and Digitisation for accessions prior to 2025 (continued) Accession title

Description

Progress

2022-049 The Ernest Rice Collection

The album owner and main photographer, Mr Ernest Rice, was part of the RAF Photographic Unit and most probably, at some stage, served on HMS Courageous, as the ship features heavily in the album.

Catalogue complete

2024-033 - The George Said Collection

Collection consists of VHS tapes, reel and mounted slides by various, unknown photographers, covering dates 1954-1959, Ħal Far, FASRON 201 Special ‘Fleet Aircraft Servicing Squadron’. Items also include arrival of floating dock (LARA 1) in Malta in June 1995, Carnival, Visit of Archbishop Giuseppe Mercieca, Indian Troops in Malta and Gozo, etc. Reel includes film on civil defense in Malta.

Catalogue complete

2008-014 - Public Lotto Department

Lottery tickets and photos from the events of the draw.

Catalogue complete

2006-011 - Alex Gingell Bequest

Maltese Photos

Digitisation complete

2006-004 - Photo Album re the Coronation of the Madonna talGrazzja, Żabbar

Photo Album regarding the Coronation of the Madonna tal-Grazzji, Żabbar. 2 September 1951.

Digitisation complete

2024-030 - Perfecta Advertising Limited Collection - Louis Borg Manché

Perfecta Advertising Limited provided marketing communications to businesses of every category for 56 years.

Catalogue complete

2018-035 Records of the Kunsill Ċiviku ta’ Ħaż-Żebbuġ

Records of the “Kunsill Ċiviku ta’ Ħaż-Żebbuġ” (Ħaż-Żebbuġ Civic Council).

Digitisation and catalogue complete

2013-019 - Maltese Folk Music and Instruments

Field studies concerning the construct and playing of the Maltese Żaqq (bagpipe). The collection includes notes and diaries of the study, photographic slides and an original Żaqq.

Catalogue complete

2024-078 - The Joseph Navarro Collection

The collection includes images of the Baviera School from 1960 to 1969; images of post-war Kalkara; carnival; vehicles, vessels and aircrafts, etc.

Catalogue complete

2022-062 - Kevin Casha Private Deposit

Photographic positive slides created by the Kevin Casha Photographic Services Ltd. The collection includes studio and outdoor portraits, events of various nature, locations, natural landscapes etc.

Catalogue complete

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Public engagement and outreach continued to be an integral part of NAVI’s portfolio in 2025. The year included guided visits and several major public events and exhibitions, delivered in collaboration with various cultural partners. In June 2025, NAM participated in the ‘Frames of Malta’ - Maltese film week as part of the Cultural Programme of the Council of Europe’s Maltese Presidency in Strasbourg. NAM presented one of the films by Cecil Satariano, Maltese filmmaker, photographer, designer and author, titled ‘Giuseppi’. In 2024, with the hard work and dedication of Ms Veronica Galea, we managed to restore and digitise Satariano’s films which are currently within our repository. The 5 films, ‘Giuseppi’ (1972), ‘Ilona’ (1974),

‘The Beach’ (1973), ‘I’m Furious – Red!’ (1970) and ‘Katarin’ (1977) all saw extensive restoration procedures. In October, NAVI took part in the 4th Tbilisi International Archival Film Festival organised by the National Archives of Georgia, showcasing ‘Memories of Malta’, a home movie created by Leonard William Frederick Brown (1913-2005). While in Malta, Mr Brown was part of the Malta Amateur Cine Circle which inspired him to create the film titled ‘Memories of Malta.’ The filming took place in various locations around Malta but also highlights the flat they were currently living in. The film also portrays Malta on the eve of its Independence (1964) as seen by an outsider who is also in the employ of the colonising country.

A still from the film Memories of Malta, part of The Leonard William Brown Collection. The film portrays views of Malta on the eve of its Independence (1964) as seen by an outsider who is also in the employ of the colonising country.

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NAM also hosted the ‘Cecil Satariano – A Cinematic Retrospective’ event which took place in October, at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta. The event comprised of screenings of the newly restored and digitised films, presentations and discussions. Mr Jean Pierre Borg, researcher on Cecil Satariano and the event moderator, presented an overview of Cecil Satariano as a father, filmmaker, film critic and his significance in Malta’s cinematic history while Ms Veronica Galea, the director of the ‘Cecil

Satariano Film Restoration Project’ and Mr Tom Bakels, head of restoration at ALPHA-OMEGA digital, discussed the process of the film restoration project. The event also hosted panel discussions with individuals in the local film industry, people who worked directly with Satariano and members of Satariano’s family. The ‘Cecil Satariano – A Cinematic Retrospective’ event also integrated into international heritage campaigns such as World Day for Audiovisual Heritage and World Digital Preservation Day.

Images from the event ‘Cecil Satariano – A Cinematic Retrospective’, which took place in October, at Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta. The event comprised screenings of newly restored and digitised films, presentations, and discussions.

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Media outreach also featured prominently, with NAVI collaborating with national media outlets such as Times of Malta, Indulge Magazine and TVM News to highlight restored materials and uncover forgotten images from Malta’s audiovisual past. These collaborations help to bring rediscovered and restored audiovisual material to a wider audience whilst also highlighting the hard work and dedication of the National Archives of Malta.

NAVI wants to thank the dedication and enthusiasm of a number of students and volunteers who were part of this years’ successful outcome. Their contribution to the day-to-day operations throughout 2025 has been instrumental in progressing our mission to preserve and make accessible our nation’s audiovisual heritage.

List of students and their institutions along with their assigned duties: Name

Institution

Dates

Work assigned

Jakob Kuhn

University of Applied Sciences, Public Administration and Finance in Ludwigsburg

28th October 2024 - 27th January 2025

Automatisation and preparation of CSV for AtoM, digitisation and inventory of The Times of Malta Photographic Archive

Emilja Vucicevic

University of Nova Gorica, Slovenia

17th February 2025 - 7th July 2025

Digitisation and inventory of The Times of Malta Photographic Archive

Raisa Zammit

University of Malta

1st July - 9th September 2025

Authority Records for 2015-029 - The Tony Terribile Collection Ġrajjiet Malta Albums

List of volunteers and their assigned duties:

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Name

Dates

Work Assigned in 2025

Mark Farrugia

2022 - current

Metadata on AtoM: The Times of Malta Photographic Archive

Skye Vassallo

March 2023 current

Cataloguing: The Guido Stilon Collection,

Norbert Gingell

November 2023 current

Digitisation and inventory: The Times of Malta Photographic Archive

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Volunteer Norbert Gingell

Volunteer Skye Vassallo

Volunteer Raisa Zammit

The work carried out during 2025 reflects NAVI’s commitment to preserving Malta’s audiovisual heritage through collaborations and public engagement. Together, we guarantee that audiovisual heritage remains

relevant and accessible, helping us to gain momentum for future opportunities. By completing long-term collections and expanding outreach initiatives, NAVI has laid solid foundations for continued growth in 2026 and beyond.

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National Audio-Visual Institute 2025 OV E RV I E W

38 New Accessions consisting of approximately:

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11,000

100

Images

Moving images

600

Audio recordings

Ephemera items

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

OVERVIEW OF TOTAL INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WITHIN THE NAVI HOLDINGS 2025 2024 2023

399,100 374,000 354,000

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Cecil Satariano with his Canon AZ 814E Super 8 camera, PBS Collection, National Archives of Malta

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Feature

The Cecil Satariano Film Restoration Project VERONICA GALEA

he Cecil Satariano film digitisation and restoration project has saved a precious Maltese film collection from oblivion. The restoration of the Satariano film collection from the 1970s has brought back to life these important films so new audiences can appreciate them. This work serves not only to honour an accomplished filmmaker but also sends out a message that Maltese films are worth both the effort and cost of film restoration. The Cecil Satariano Film Restoration Project is an initiative of Veronica Galea who for many years under the umbrella project Maltese Histories – one by one, has sought to collaborate with the National Archives to preserve both photo and film collections. Also, the National Archives of Malta has been at the forefront of the endevour to support the process of film restoration which has set a precedent in Maltese film heritage. Initial funding raised by Ms Galea, the director of the restoration project, was followed with support from the Archives and the Friends of the National Archives. With the initial input of funding from

FEATURE – THE CECIL SATARIANO FILM RESTORATION PROJECT

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the NAM and the Farsons Foundation, Giuseppi was restored in 2024 and soon after screened in Georgia at the Tbilisi International Film Archives festival in September. At the festival, Giuseppi received much praise for its restoration from international colleagues of Prof. Charles Farrugia. Soon after the event, additional funding was secured by the National Archives through the Ministry for Culture. In the following year the

support of the Council of Europe (COE) presidency and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Tourism ensured that the restoration project could be finished in time for the COE film screening of five of Cecil Satariano’s films in Strasbourg in June 2025. This was followed in the autumn by the NAM’s own cinematic retrospective of all seven films of Cecil Satariano, including two digitised but unrestored travelogues by the filmmaker.

Finding Cecil Satariano’s films The digitisation and restoration project began eighteen years ago. Fifteen years searching for the film materials produced only copies of the films. In 2022 the original film reels were discovered and the film restoration began soon after. Fifty years in poor storage had taken their toll on the Super 8 and 16mm films and the original film reels had suffered so much that it in some cases it was necessary to utilise the film copies in order to piece the films back together again. This delicate work was carried out by Thomas Bakels and Marie Bendl at Alpha-Omega digital in Munich. With over twenty five years experience in the field of film restoration, Mr Bakels has made a significant contribution to German film heritage by providing various institutions, both locally and internationally, with knowledge of preservation techniques while restoring some of the world’s most notable films. It was not only the picture but also the sound of the films which suffered too

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over the years, and here Philipp Scholz and René Kampka at Scholz+Kampka made their important contribution to the sound restoration. The aging process on the magnetic tape caused sound dropouts to appear, and these issues had to be resolved using a blend of digital processing and painstaking manual retouching. The first step in saving the films was to digitise them. The best image quality was produced using a film scan in HD resolution applying wetgate technology to each original or master film reel. The final output of the digitisation and restoration work are diverse digital products. For each of the five films a 2K-DCP and HD-Masterfiles were produced, as well as compressed mp4 files, and of course the raw scan of all the digitised films for archiving purposes has been made available. The digital files are archived in state-of-the-art storage and are ready for distribution across any projection format.

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Restoration in action The signs of film ageing in the Satariano film collection included tears and cracks as well as fungus which developed on the film emulsion on account of poor storage conditions. Using specialised software and manual frame-byframe restoration, the Satariano films were cleaned of dirt and scratches. Additionally through stabilisation of the film picture a smoother high-quality appearance was produced. Various sound elements were used in the restoration of Giuseppi. While some of the sound elements originated from film copies – a tiny strip of magnetic tape glued to the edge of the film strip containing the tiny particles of sound - other sound elements were on both video tape and quarter inch magnetic reel tapes, the latter being of

a superior sound quality. The magnetic reel tape revealed also a ‘new’ soundtrack for the film. Tom Bakels describes the sound elements in Giuseppi: The ‘new’ soundtrack includes dialogue and sound effects: the clacking of crockery, the sound of footsteps and also the physical sounds as two men come to blows in the climatic final scene. This version was discovered to be a later work of the filmmaker and it lends the film additonal power; the sound quality of the original film release does not contain such elements and is weaker by comparison. Finally, equalization and overall quality of the sound needed enhancement.

Missing elements of the original film reel The surviving film elements which were used in the film restoration were on Super 8 film copies. One of the reels was labeled ‘master‘ and it had a good image quality. All the digitised film reels and video copies were mostly scratched with faded colours and in parts incomplete. The master was also incomplete, notably in the final climatic robbery scene. The image quality was much weaker in the second copy and so it was the job of the colorist to match the necessary inserts with the surrounding material from the better master copy.

Giuseppi lies prostrate at the end of the fight scene in Giuseppi (film still of unrestored film footage).

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In summary, various aspects were applied to improve picture quality, apart from the removal of dirt and scratches and unsightly splices. These included: brightness and contrast adjustment, image flicker reduction and stabilisation and colour correction. Phlipp Scholz and René Kampka worked on the sound restoration of Giuseppi which included the audio files pertaining to a film copy transfer as well as the newly discovered soundtrack for Giuseppi. According to René Kampka the biggest challenge was to synchronise sound and picture. In order to adjust the picture to run at the standard 25 frames per second (fps), the Super 8 film which runs at 18fps had to be adjusted frame by frame to fit to the digital video system. René also noted: When it came to the sound restoration, we removed disturbing noises and other sound artefacts which are not pertinent to the film. These include clicking and rumbling sounds. These sounds came about as part of the aging process of the film, and partly due to improper editing techniques. The latter refers to poorly prepared splices made in the editing process. These were not the only issues which faced the restoration team. After its digitisation and on examining Satariano’s first film, I’m Furious - Red!, it was noted that ten minutes of footage was missing from the original film reel. Fortunately on a duplicate film reel of the same film the missing footage was found. The restoration process incorporated the missing parts from

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the digitised duplicate reel which were then added to the original copy in the digital restoration process.

Magnetic tape comes unstuck from original film reel of I’m Furious – Red!

After the film picture was put together from different edited versions, the sound team soon had the task of restoring the sound which was also in tatters due to deterioration. Philipp Scholz worked on the restoration and had to switch between various soundtracks culled from different sources. The different source materials included the soundtrack from the film reel copy. It was necessary to utilise the copy as the soundtrack on the original film reel was in very poor condition and could not be used. Moreover, when the copy did not suffice a magnetic reel with recordings was used. What luck that such a reel existed with the original materials that Satariano had worked with. For the restoration process it was particularly important to work with the filmmaker’s magnetic tapes, as in doing so the authenticity is retained. Fortunately Satariano had put aside several music tracks on a separate audio reel and these were used where necessary.

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Effectively while working on I’m furious – Red! Philipp Scholz would rely on five sources in order to effectively reconstruct the film’s soundtrack. On top of this, the sound quality of each source was not the same. This meant that every change between the music elements required a complex sound adjustment to ensure a smooth transition.

Be and A Touch of Dutch were digitised but have not yet been restored - a digital copy was passed on to the NAM for the Satariano cinematic retrospective in October 2026. Funding to cover the digitisation of these two films and their restoration is still pending. While the main body of Satariano’s filmwork has now found its rightful home at the National Archives where they will be preserved for future generations, there are still a number of reels of 16mm film footage from the Satariano collection which require attention. These large film reels of unused film footage of the film Katarin may give more insights into the filmmaker’s work. Ideally, funding to The throaty bark of the bulldog was affected in the synchronisation support the digitisation process so that it sounded more like that of a poodle. The tone was adjusted, two half pitches lower, to reflect the original barking sound. of the films reels would come through annually Both picture and sound interventions dedicated ministerial funding for on all five films were carried out with film restoration projects. This would much care and restraint so as to maintain certainly be a step in the right direction. the authentic feel of the films. The careful The restoration work on the examination of all film material to ensure Satariano film collection has shown the best handling of it, together with a that film material is delicate particularly dedicated and respectful approach to when it is not stored well. Had the the restoration process concluded the material not been found, film work to bring back to life the films of digitised and restored the Satariano Cecil Satariano. films would most certainly have Five films from the Cecil Satariano been lost. film collection were restored. Giuseppi, There are many more films still to be I’m Rurious – Red!, Ilona, The Beach and gathered and digitised, and this work Katarin now form part of the holdings at must continue so that Maltese cultural the NAM. The two travelogues Let them film heritage can begin to thrive.

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The Cecil Satariano Film Restoration Project BIOGRAPHIES

The Cecil Satariano film restoration project forms part of a larger project entitled Maltese Histories – one by one. Since 2004, Ms Veronica Galea, a media professional with a Masters in instructional design for video (NYU, 2001), has sought out and collated a diverse range of media representing Maltese experience. The materials were digitised and restored to ensure that these resources showing the colour and vibrancy of Maltese life and thought are archived and preserved for future generations. The National Archives of Malta is the natural choice for their preservation.

Thomas Bakels, head of Alpha-Omega digital, began his career as a sound engineer. In the 1990s, he transitioned into film digitisation and restoration. With 30 years of experience in the field, Bakels gained international recognition in the field restoring Fritz Lang’s Metropolis as well as the paper print collection of Thomas Edison for the US Library of Congress. Over many years, he and his colleague Marie Bendl restored the full body of film works of Werner Herzog as well as movies of Volker Schloendorff, Wim Wenders, Percy Adlon and many others.

Marie Bendl graduated with an MA in Film and Media Studies at Université Paris X. She pursued further graduate studies in Germany as well as studies in film restoration in Bologna. After working in France and Austria she joined Alpha-Omega digital where she has made a vital contribution for over 15 years.

Philipp Scholz, completed his studies in sound engineering in Munich before working as a sound designer/engineer in film restoration at Taurus Media, a former Kirch Media subsidiary, and later the Bavaria Filmstudios before co-founding Scholz+Kampka in 2019 together with René Kampka.

René Kampka studied audio production in Munich. He worked in various genres of music production at Bavaria Musikstudios, home of the Munich Symphony Orchestra. He focused also on sound engineering for film and television productions before co-founding Scholz+Kampka audio operations.

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Frame grab from I'm Furious - Red! (1970), starring Frank Pisani

Frame grab from Giuseppi (1972), starring Giuseppi Mallia (left) and Frank Pisani (right)

Frame grab from The Beach (1973), starring Mary Blackman

Frame grab from Ilona (1974), starring Vanessa Webber

Frame grab from Katarin (1978), starring Anna Stafrace (left) and John Hurle Hobbs (right)

Giuseppi Mallia (left) and Cecil Satariano (right)

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Feature

Cecil Satariano (1930–1996)

JEAN PIERRE BORG

hough he spent his professional life as a telegraphist, Cecil Satariano’s enduring legacy rests on the reputation he forged as a self-taught auteur filmmaker whose work earned international critical acclaim. He was a pioneering cinematic voice for Malta, demonstrating that artistic determination could transcend the limitations of geography and resources.

Early Life and the Seeds of Imagination Born on 29 September 1930 to Victor and Mary Satariano, his early years were shaped by the profound upheaval of the Second World War. To escape relentless aerial bombardment, his family relocated from Sliema to a cave in Dingli. This rural interlude gave the young Satariano an unusual sense of freedom, where he spent his days roaming the countryside and playing with the children of local farmers.

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This period of rural liberty was, however, followed by a jarring transition. Concerned about the influence of the local dialect on his son’s speech, Satariano's father enrolled him at St Edward’s College, temporarily relocated to Mdina. The move from the informality of rural village life to the college’s rigid, “prim and proper” environment proved difficult for the young boy, an experience widely believed to have contributed to a lifelong stutter. This early struggle with speech and social confidence appears to have shaped his later disposition. A notably private individual who rarely gave interviews, Satariano gravitated towards

forms of expression that privileged control and introspection: writing, photography and eventually film. Yet his creative instincts were evident from an early age. After the war, back in Sliema, Satariano, still a teenager, would engage family and friends and stage elaborate rooftop performances, charging sixpence for admission. These productions, often inspired by wartime narratives, revealed an early fascination with storytelling and audience engagement. In later years, this passion deepened into a love for cinema, expressed through the meticulous hand-drawing of posters for his favourite films.

The Prolific Journalist and Cultural Reformer After completing his formal education, Satariano took up full-time employment as a telegraphist with Cable & Wireless, a role he held to support his wife, Eileen, and their three children. From 1952, he became a regular contributor to The Sunday Times of Malta and The Times of Malta, ultimately authoring around 800 articles over four decades. Satariano’s contribution to Maltese culture extended well beyond routine film criticism. He played a crucial role in cultivating film literacy among local readers, introducing them to key cinematic concepts such as framing, montage, and genre. He situated Malta within a broader international discourse by highlighting the work of major

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directors such as Eisenstein and Griffith. During the 1960s, Satariano emerged as a prominent and outspoken critic of Malta’s film censorship regime. At a time when censorship was applied in a rigid, moralistic manner, he advocated a more nuanced, context-sensitive approach that recognised the artistic and narrative integrity of film. In 1968, he became a founding member of the Censorship Reform Group, an alliance of intellectuals committed to modernising outdated legislation. In an ironic turn, his expertise eventually led to his appointment to the Board of Film Censors in 1972, a position that required him to relinquish his work with the Times because of a potential conflict of interest.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Frame grab from I'm Furious - Red! (1970), starring Frank Pisani as the protagonist

The Super 8 Revolution Satariano’s transition from critic to filmmaker began in 1968, when he acquired a Canon Auto Zoom 518 Super 8 cine camera. The purchase marked a decisive turning point in his life. By 1969, he had joined the Malta Amateur Cine Circle and begun work on his debut short film, I’m Furious - Red! (1970). The film, a psychological study of a Peeping Tom, was a remarkable example of independent filmmaking. While Satariano roped in friends or individuals with specific expertise, such as in sound, he handled every creative aspect of

production himself, from writing and directing to cinematography and editing. He refined his technique through nearly a year of experimentation, resulting in a work of striking technical and narrative confidence. Its success was immediate; it won the prestigious ‘Ten Best’ award in the 1970 Movie Maker Amateur Film Competition, becoming the first Super 8 production to achieve this distinction. Judges praised it as a “most accomplished and professional production,” recognising its innovation and discipline.

The Satadema Era Despite this breakthrough, Satariano hesitated to continue filmmaking because of the high costs of production and processing, and shelved his equipment indefinitely. A turning point came when

Ronnie Demajo offered his support, leading to the establishment of their production company, Satadema. This partnership provided the essential funding to pursue more ambitious projects.

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Frame grab from Giuseppi (1971), starring Giuseppi Mallia as the protagonist

The first fruit of this partnership was Giuseppi (1971), widely regarded as Satariano’s masterpiece. The film was a neorealist portrait of Giuseppi Mallia, a disabled man the director had encountered in Valletta. It combined documentary sensitivity with formal precision, and its international reception was extraordinary. Giuseppi garnered over twenty international awards at festivals in Cannes, Tokyo, New York, and beyond. At London’s National Theatre, Satariano received three major honours

in a single evening, including the Kodak Award for the Best Colour Photography. Paradoxically, the film’s international success was not mirrored locally. It was notably overlooked at the Malta Amateur Cine Circle’s Golden Knight Awards, amid accusations that it exploited its subject. These claims were strongly rejected by Satariano’s collaborators and family, who emphasised the director’s respectful and compassionate relationship with Mallia.

Experimental Growth and Technical Mastery Satariano continued to develop his unique style with The Beach (1973), a satirical, observational study of diverse characters and humorous incidents encountered during a day at the beach. While not as successful as Giuseppi, the film earned Satariano a Ten Best Trophy and a Best Editing award.

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His mastery of the Super 8 format drew international attention, prompting the renowned camera manufacturer Canon to invite him to Amsterdam in May 1973 and gift him their latest model at the time, the Canon AZ 814E Super 8 camera. In return, his films were used to demonstrate the artistic potential of the Super 8 format to a global audience.

NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF MALTA – ANNUAL REPORT 2025

Frame grab from The Beach (1973)

Karmenu Gruppetta (left) and Cecil Satariano (right) on set during filming of The Beach (1973)

That same year, Satariano published Canon-fire! the Art of Making Awardwinning Amateur Movies!, a practical and candid guide for aspiring filmmakers. Satariano’s next film, Ilona (1974), is a surrealist fantasy starring Vanessa Webber as a woman whose psychic and physical infatuation with the sea leads to a tragic end. For the production’s underwater sequences, Satariano used specialised underwater housing custommanufactured for his camera. Ilona remains Satariano’s most experimental work, blending surrealist elements with complex underwater cinematography. Satariano’s final film, Katarin (1978), marked an ambitious transition to professional filmmaking and became the first Maltese film to secure international distribution. Shot on 16mm, it was blown up to 35mm by EMI Film Distributors and exhibited in London’s West End. The production of Katarin proved challenging, beset by financial pressures and technical constraints. The film, best described as a coming-of-age story

set in rural Malta, elicited a mixed response. While widely praised for its visual composition and atmospheric qualities, it also attracted criticism for its treatment of adolescent sexuality. Nonetheless, Katarin stands as a milestone in the development of Maltese narrative cinema, signalling the possibilities of a locally rooted yet internationally viable film industry. In addition to the five films for which Satariano is best known, he also directed two travelogues. The first, Let Them Be, was filmed in London in May 1970 while he was there to collect his Ten Best Trophy for I’m Furious - Red! This marked Satariano’s first attempt at documentary filmmaking and is described as a tightly edited collage of candid human observations. He deliberately avoided famous landmarks to capture the faces and spontaneous actions of people in Piccadilly Circus, Oxford Street, and Speakers’ Corner. The second travelogue, A Touch of Dutch was filmed in Amsterdam in May 1973.

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Final Years and Enduring Legacy Satariano’s filmmaking career came to an abrupt halt in 1982. After suffering a heart attack, he had to scale back his ambitions and focus instead on writing. He remained an active columnist with The Times until 1992, when a severe stroke left him wheelchair-bound and severely debilitated. He died on 16 December 1996, aged 66, barely a few months after finally receiving recognition from the Malta Amateur Cine Circle for his lifetime contribution to film. Satariano was the first Maltese filmmaker to achieve sustained

international recognition, competing successfully at festivals in London, Cannes and Tokyo from a self-taught, resource-constrained practice. That achievement has taken on renewed significance in recent years, as the restoration of his surviving prints has returned his films to circulation allowing a new generation of viewers to discover him. In demonstrating that Maltese subject matter could carry internationally, Satariano opened a path that later Maltese filmmakers would follow.

This piece draws on personal recollections generously shared by Satariano’s daughter, Madeleine Vella Satariano, and his sister, Margaret Micallef Somerville, whose accounts of his childhood and family life have informed sections of this profile.

Cecil Satariano standing by a poster he sketched for the Gaiety Cinema. Photo courtesy of Margaret Micallef Somerville via Veronica Galea

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Frame grab from Ilona (1974), starring Vanessa Webber as the protagonist

Frame grab from Katarin (1978), starring Anna Stafrace as the protagonist

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Maria Stella Formosa Collection, MEMORJA, National Archives of Malta

MEMORJA

EMORJA is the oral archive of the National Archives of Malta set up to be the Maltese Islands’ main depositor of public memory. By employing cutting-

edge research methodologies along with theoretical and archival approaches, MEMORJA seeks to collect, record, transcribe and preserve individual and shared/community memories, oral history and traditions, knowledge, and experiences. The objective is to make all this material available for research, interpretation, and educational purposes.

Fieldwork had started in 2017 through face-to-face pre-interview meetings, the first of their kind at the national archives, leading to the development of several networks within the Maltese community. These new relationships with individuals from different backgrounds allowed members of the public to share their stories with the project through oral and video interviews and the donation

of personal photographs, letters, film reels and other artefacts. Given the opportunity to have their experiences documented for future research, these ‘partners’ are today contributing a presence and a voice that are often missing within the official records, thus providing more comprehensive perspectives on numerous historical themes and subjects.

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Fieldwork MEMORJA has carried out ethnographic fieldwork, digitising images, documents and letters in conjunction with recording audio and video interviews while getting

the latter transcribed. For transcriptions and proofreading, the further assistance and attention of volunteers have been greatly appreciated.

Leħen Uliedna The newest research theme is one being managed by a volunteer for the project, Fred Bezzina. Mr Bezzina is well known in the local disabled community for having served as Executive Director of the Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Diżabilita (KNPD). He has also helped in coordinating information initiatives – disability services/web resources – aimed at supporting persons with disabilities and their families, had served as administrator of Id-Dar talProvidenza. He had also contributed to

another of MEMORJA’s themes, ‘Deaf history in Malta.’ In Leħen Uliedna, Mr Bezzina has interviewed parents of children with severe learning disabilities and the challenges they had/have faced over the preceding decades: medical care, approaches to education, the introduction of day clinics, the promotion of summer camps and several other initiatives. With this kind of ethnographic work, MEMORJA is striving to include all members from all strata of society.

The Malta Bus Archive Last year was a busy one for the Malta Bus Archive, the main task having been the successful completion of Gozo 100: The 100th Anniversary of the Gozo Bus Industry (1925 to 2025), a publication celebrating 100 years of motor buses running on Gozo. In addition to having examined in detail the different kinds of buses in use, the book was composed of several ‘mini biographies’ which introduced the histories of

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key industry people down the years. In the appendices, copies of bus tickets were included, as well as uniforms, the different routes and the various bus terminal points that have been used in Rabat/Victoria throughout the years. The book, which was launched later in the year, serves to publicise ever more the fieldwork of the Malta Bus Archive’s parent project, MEMORJA.

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Launch of the publication Gozo 100: The 100th Anniversary of the Gozo Bus Industry (1925 to 2025) by Richard Stedall as part of the Malta Bus Archive within the MEMORJA project, November 2025.

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Outreach ‘Oral memory as a cornerstone of national identity: Malta and Kuwait’– December 2025 In conjunction with the Embassy of Malta in the State of Kuwait, the National Archives of Malta exhibited ‘Oral memory as a cornerstone of national identity: Malta and Kuwait,’ set up at the Kuwait College for Science and

Technology. The scope of this exhibition was to identify common factors linking the two far flung countries. The themes chosen were Language, People, Harbours, Daily Life and Agriculture.

Stills of the digital exhibition footage showcased at KCST

Exhibition launch at KCST with Prof. Charles J. Farrugia, Ambassador Prof. George A. Said-Zammit, and Prof. Khalid Al-Begain. Inaugurated by H.E. Ambassador Sadiq Al-Marafi, Assistant Foreign Minister (Europe Affairs), in the presence of ambassadors, diplomats and distinguished guests.

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Deposits The following table presents the material deposited within this project during 2025, including audio and video interviews, photographs, documents, letters, manuscripts, digital images, fieldwork notes, films and transcripts.

These items had been sorted, digitised and accessioned throughout 2025. The thousands of items now available to researchers amount to a total digital size of more than 450 GB.

Interviewee

Research theme(s)

Dates covered

Format

Total time

Other material deposited

Total size (GB)

Dun Ġwann Azzopardi

Pioneers of Archives and Libraries

1937-2021

Written account

164 KB

Josette El Kafas

The Malta Thalidomide Affair

1964-2025

Audio & video