The history of 150,000 Maltese emigrants who settled all over the world has been mapped out and documented in a museum at the Emigrants Commission.

Emigration was the solution or ‘safety valve’ for the population growth following World War II

Mgr Philip Calleja, founder of the commission, said that emigration was the solution or “safety valve” for the population growth following World War II.

Since it was set up in 1952, the commission helped Maltese migrants in their move to a new land. “This included teaching them English, as many were illiterate, helping them get in contact with friends and relatives and explaining where they had to go,” he said.

All of the departures, and the preparations beforehand, were documented and noted in carefully kept files. And now, the yellowed type-written sheets can be seen and examined by students, schoolchildren and researchers alike in the museum of digital archives and the library at the commission, next to the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta.

Inaugurated last night, the archives and library were sponsored by Vodafone Malta Foundation and APS Bank.

The commission came up with the idea to establish the archives and library and presented it at the Convention of Leaders of Associations of Maltese Abroad and of Maltese Origin in 2000.

Emigration forms an intrinsic part of Malta’s recent history and affected entire generations. Around 28 per cent of the Maltese who emigrated went to Australia while 10.5 per cent went to the UK and another 6.5 per cent moved to Canada.

The main aim of the museum is to record how emigration started and developed, as well as how the communities of Maltese emigrants integrated in the countries where they settled and what they contributed in these places.

Meanwhile, it is hoped the sense of belonging to their Maltese origin will be further strengthened and they will continue to maintain strong ties with the island in spite of their separation from it.

Another aim is for the Maltese in Malta and the Maltese communities abroad to better understand the migration phenomenon and the value of social inclusion.

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