National Archives revamps newsletter

The National Archives, filled with 12 kilometres of shelves, stacked with documents and photographs tracing the development of Malta since the beginning of the 19th century, is revamping its quarterly newsletter thanks to the support of HSBC Cares For Malta's Heritage Fund.

With more than 1,000 volumes of Chief Secretary's files, over 3,600 volumes of Customs Department arrivals and departure registers and Governors' correspondence file, the archives offer researchers a unique resource with which to uncover Malta's history.

The archives also hold confidential information, such as the service records of each and every one of the 50,000-odd Maltese who served in the British military when Malta was a colony. Although these records can be seen by the servicemen themselves or with written consent from their next of kin, others have to wait until 75 years from the last entry have elapsed to be allowed access.

"The National Archives offer a fascinating insight in the way the government has operated in Malta over the past two centuries. This documentary evidence is incredibly important in helping us understand our country's development over this period. The preservation of a nation's archives is something we should take an interest in and, through its support for the new-look newsletter, HSBC is helping to raise awareness and support for this agency," HSBC Mosta area director Richard Mercieca said when presenting the sponsorship to National Archives curator Charles J. Farrugia.

The archives' reading room at Santo Spirito, in Rabat, is open to the public daily from Monday to Friday between 8.15 a.m. and 4.15 p.m. (October 1- June 15) and from 8.15 a.m. to 1 p.m. (June 16 to September 30). The National Archives are also open on Saturdays from 8.15 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The National Archives can be contacted on 2145 9863/2145 0077.