A study in local history since 1800 : Xewkija

Abstract

This dissertation proved interesting and useful to help me understand and appreciate my roots. I have tried to give a broad picture of Xewkija as it evolved throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Where necessary I have contrasted Xewkija with the Maltese Islands in general. However, being a Gozitan village, the locality of Xewkija was more likely to be influenced by the Gozitan towns and villages. In compiling this dissertation, I have used both primary and secondary sources. In my research, I have made use of unpublished primary sources, particularly the births, deaths, and marriage records found in St. John the Baptist Archives in Xewkija. The Censuses of the Maltese Islands were my main published primary source. These Censuses range from 1851 to 1995 at about ten-year intervals. However, Censuses have their own limitations, particularly their absence for the first half of the 19th century. Moreover, Censuses differ in their context and layout, hence making it more difficult to follow a particular common trend throughout. This proved to be a major drawback with regard to the standard of living of people by locality which featured in certain censuses but not in others. Another limitation was that some Censuses, particularly the Censuses from 1881 till 1931, provide information on a district level rather than on a local one with regard to the distribution of occupations. Thus, it was not possible to separate Xewkija from the other Gozitan towns and villages. Other primary sources which proved to be valuable for my thesis were the Blue Books, the Electoral Registers, the Local Council Electoral Registers, various issues of The Malta Government Gazette, Government Department Reports, official annual statistics, together with several national daily newspapers. All the above-mentioned sources were necessary to construct statistical information regarding demography, educational background, the political sympathies, the distribution of occupations, and the standard of living of the inhabitants. I have also used various secondary sources. These vary from books to articles from books and also local publications that deal either specifically with local history or with national history.