The Masini genealogy collection : its development and importance in the study of Maltese family history

Abstract

Chapter 1 analysed the Masini Collection within the social context unfolding in Gozo between 1554 and 1934. At the same time, this chapter looked at both the history of this collection and the social hierarchies present in Gozo in the period covered by the Masini Collection while hinting at the type of demographic calculations that can be obtained form the study of this collection by referring to literature material related to this study. Chapter 2 centred on the ecclesiastical history of Gozo. Primarily, the Giuliana Masini Collection contains a copy of all the Gozitan parish records from 1554 up to 1934. Thus, this chapter explains the paramount importance of these parish records, how they developed and why these records are important for demographic and family studies. Chapter 3 delves into the analysis of the 88 volumes of the Giuliana Masini Collection. This chapter is divided into 3 sub-sections, wherein a compte-rendu of the baptismal, marital and death records are given in sub section one. The Alberi Genealogici are analyzed in sub-section two and the notarial acts in the third subsection. Each aspect of this collection was separately in this chapter. Chapter 4 describes the methodology used to undertake the quantitative analysis. crude and general marriage rates were calculated for three particular years, that is 1805, 1861 and 1901. These calculations needed the support of other documentations, in particular the censuses undertaken in the three above-mentioned years. A number of calculations had to be carried out to quantify missing population data in the Giuliana Massini Collection for these three years understudy. Chapter 5 dealt with the calculations of the crude marriage rates and the general marriage rates for the years 1805, 1861 and 1901. Moreover, separate general marriage rate calculations were undertaken for both males and females for each one of these three respective years. Thanks to results obtained from these calculations, new historical information was obtained about marriage practices in Gozo in the nineteenth century. These results were presented in the conclusion of this dissertation, as in themselves, they explain how, this collection can be used for the study of the history of Gozo that goes beyond a simple genealogical search about one’s family ancestors.