Michael Refalo gave a lecture on his ongoing research about Maltese migrants in the Levant at Il-Ħaġar – Heart of Gozo cultural centre. During his research work he came across an 1886 letter to Alexandria from Malta. It was written – probably dictated – by the wife of a migrant who received it just before he died in hospital. Mr Refalo explained that the letter was included in the inventory drawn up towards discharging a small debt he left behind. This personal story offered the lecturer the opportunity to sketch the whole background with its difficult circumstances.