In the previous article we saw where most of the migrants to Malta are from. But we are ourselves are a nation shaped by immigrants and of being emigrants, so have a history not just of immigration but emigration.
While that outward flow has for the most part stopped, in the post-war years the number of Maltese leaving Malta to seek fame and fortune (or at least just a livelihood!) outside of Malta was in their thousands.
Malta was heavily bombed and opportunities were not plentiful and several were leaving. This explains why nearly any Maltese family you speak to will have an older family member abroad (usually Australia, Canada and the U.S.)
In this blog post, we will explore the history of migration from Malta to other countries through the years.
Early Migration
The history of migration from and to Malta can be traced back to prehistoric times when the island was first settled. The earliest known settlers of Malta were the Phoenicians, who arrived on the island around 700 BCE. The Phoenicians were followed by the Carthaginians, who established a colony on Malta in the 5th century BCE. The island was then conquered by the Romans in 218 BCE and remained part of the Roman Empire until the 5th century CE.
During the Arab rule in the 9th century, there were waves of migration from the Arab world to Malta. This was followed by the arrival of the Normans in the 11th century, who established a feudal system on the island. Malta then came under the control of various other powers, including the Sicilian and Aragonese kingdoms, the Knights of St. John, and the British Empire.
19th Century
The 19th century saw a significant increase in migration from Malta, as economic opportunities in other countries attracted many Maltese people. Between 1800 and 1900, an estimated 30,000 Maltese people emigrated from the island, with the majority settling in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The last two were particularly popular with Maltese migrants.
The main reason for this mass migration was the decline of the Maltese economy, which was heavily dependent on agriculture, fishing and shipbuilding. The introduction of new agricultural techniques and the development of the steamship industry in the mid-19th century meant that Maltese produce could not compete with cheaper imports from other countries.
In addition to economic factors, political instability in Europe during this period also played a role in driving migration. The revolutions of 1848 and the unification of Italy in 1861 led to an increase in political repression and social unrest in Malta. Many Maltese people sought refuge in other countries with greater opportunities.
Source: Wikipedia Commons / CR
United States
The United States was the most popular destination for Maltese immigrants in the 19th century. The first wave of Maltese migration to the US occurred in the 1820s and 1830s, when a small number of Maltese sailors settled in New York and other port cities. The majority of Maltese immigrants to the US, however, arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The first large wave of Maltese immigration to the US occurred in the 1880s, when over 5,000 Maltese people arrived in New York City. Many of these immigrants settled in the Lower East Side, where they found work in the garment industry and other manufacturing jobs. By 1900, there were an estimated 10,000 Maltese people living in the US, with the majority residing in New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.
Detroit was particularly attractive, with many Maltese working in car factories (and 19 September is Maltese-American Heritage Day in Michigan thanks to US Representative of Maltese descent, Darrin Camilleri)
Perhaps the best-known political figure of Maltese descent remains the current US Secretary of Transportation and one-time Presidential candidate, Pete Buttigieg.
Canada
Canada was another popular destination for Maltese immigrants in the 19th century. The first recorded Maltese immigrant to Canada was Joseph Ellul, who arrived in Quebec City in 1848. The majority of Maltese immigrants to Canada, however, arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The first large wave of Maltese immigration to Canada occurred in the early 1900s, with many Maltese people settling in Montreal, Vancouver and, especially, Toronto.
Australia
Australia is where most Maltese migrants ended up, and deserves the most depth.
According to some unconfirmed estimates, if you count the children of migrants and their grandchildren there are more Maltese people in Australia than Malta! This might be an exaggeration, but there are literally hundreds of thousands of Australians who can claim at least some Maltese ancestry.
Source: Australian Migration Office, UK
The history of migration from Malta to Australia spans over a century, beginning in the late 19th century and continuing up until the present day. This migration has had a significant impact on both Malta and Australia, and has resulted in a large Maltese community in Australia.
The first Maltese immigrants to Australia arrived in the late 19th century, primarily as seafarers and labourers. Many of these early immigrants settled in Western Australia, working in the goldfields and railway construction. However, it wasn't until the post-World War II era that large numbers of Maltese immigrants began arriving in Australia.
In 1947, the Australian government began a migration program to help boost the country's population and workforce. As part of this program, the government offered assisted passage to Europeans who were willing to migrate to Australia. This program proved to be particularly popular among Maltese people, and between 1947 and 1970, over 100,000 Maltese immigrants arrived in Australia.
Many of these early immigrants were young couples with children, and they settled in the major cities of Sydney and Melbourne. They faced numerous challenges in their new home, including language barriers and discrimination. However, they quickly adapted to their new surroundings, and many found employment in the manufacturing and construction industries.
The Maltese community in Australia grew rapidly during the 1950s and 1960s, and they became known for their strong work ethic and dedication to family. They established numerous community organizations, such as the Maltese Community Council of Victoria and the Maltese Association of Western Australia, which helped to provide support and social activities for the community.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Maltese community in Australia continued to grow, and many second and third-generation Maltese-Australians were born. These individuals played a key role in shaping the identity of the Maltese community in Australia, blending Maltese traditions and culture with Australian customs and values.
Today, the Maltese community in Australia is still a large ethnic group in the country, with an estimated 200,000 people of Maltese descent living in Australia. They continue to maintain strong ties with Malta, and many periodically return to the island nation to visit family and friends.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the history of migration from Malta to Australia, with many individuals and organizations working to preserve and promote this important part of both countries' history. The Maltese Community Council of Victoria, for example, has established a migration museum that showcases the stories and experiences of Maltese immigrants in Australia.
Kurt, OLS Community Manager – Maltese