Migration from Gozo : 1870-72

Abstract

During most of the 19th century, migration from Malta was largely to North Africa. By 1870, formal recording of passport applications and renewals became available in a bound ledger format and these can be consulted and obtained (for a small fee) at the Malta National Archives at Rabat, Malta. The ledger contains the day, month and year of issue of passport, name and surname of the applicant, name of applicant’s father, age place of birth and residency of applicant, as well as the occupation and destination of applicant. In this study, passport applications for the years 1870 to 1872 were analysed. During the period of 1870 to 1872, a total of 3,005 passports were issued. A total of 277 persons from Gozo applied for a passport representing nine percent of the total number of applicants. Of these the majority chose to emigrate to North Africa.