Through the united efforts of the Malta Historical Society and the Notarial Archives Foundation, three volumes on corsairing activities in Malta and the Mediterranean have been for the last few months undergoing professional conservation treatment.

The sum of €1,500 for the work was generously donated by the Malta Historical Society.

(From left to right) Simone Azzopardi, MHS committee member; Judge Emeritus Giovanni Bonello, president of the Notarial Archives Foundation; Joan Abela - consultant historian, Notarial Archives Rehabilitation Project.

The selected three manuscripts form part of the collection of Corsair documents held at the Notarial Archives. Each one concerns the Verbale e Vendita di Effetti e Schiavi of Capitano Michele Picasso and Capitano Guglielmo Lorenzi.

The volumes, which date from 1787 to 1791, shed light on corsairing activities in the 18th century. An interesting feature is the inclusion of daily travel logs of various corsair expeditions.

The volumes also contain some Turkish documents which were confiscated from enemy ship, The manuscripts also include several detailed auction lists of slaves.

Another highly-prized feature is the signature of historical figures like the same Guglielmo Lorenzi who, together with Dun Mikiel Xerri, was executed by the French on January 17, 1799.

Other lists shed light on the type of food taken on board and on the armaments of ships such as cannoni, trombone a cavalletto, trombone a mano, pistole and bandoliere.

Now that the restoration is complete, measures have also been taken to ensure their preservation for the benefit of future generations of researchers and the public.