A study in local history since 1800 : Sliema

Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation was threefold: to find out the reasons for the phenomenal growth of Sliema from the mid-nineteenth century onwards; to follow its process of development; and to try and establish whether the reputation of Sliema being the residential place of the elite was in fact correct. Although various books and articles have been written about Sliema, none have addressed the reason why Sliema attracted a higher class of person than most other localities. I have lived in Sliema for most of my life and have always been perplexed by the negative attitude of most Maltese towards Sliema residents - they are viewed as a haughty elite class, who are unable to speak the Maltese language. I chose Sliema as the subject of my dissertation to try and ascertain why Sliema has this reputation and whether this attitude is justified. I also hope to shed some light on the reasons why Sliema became such an attractive place of settlement from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, and perhaps give a more realistic picture of Sliema than is commonly perceived. In compiling this dissertation, I have obtained information primarily from Censuses of the Maltese Islands dating from 1851 to 1995, the Blue Books, Electoral Registers and the Malta Government Gazettes. I have also used various books, dissertations and articles which have featured Sliema and conducted three interviews with elderly Sliema residents. I have compared Sliema both to the Maltese Islands and to Valletta, because of the population movement between Sliema and Valletta, and because Valletta was for a long time the leading residential place in the Maltese Islands. This study would not have been possible without the help of various persons. I am particularly grateful to my tutor, Professor Dominic Fenech, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, who has constantly guided me through every phase of the research and writing of this work. I would like to thank all the staff in the Melitensia Section of the Library of the University of Malta, particularly Mr. Edward Camilleri, who was extremely helpful and patient, Fr. Victor Soler, and Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Vassallo who allowed me to interview them thus giving me an insight into early 20th century Sliema, and Mary and Anna Camilleri who provided me with much information. I am also indebted to Johanna Calleja who proof-read my dissertation, Jose and Noyla Calleja, and J. G. and Maud Vassallo, with whom I discussed Sliema's popularity after the Second World War, and Ruth Bugeja who shared with me some of the preoccupations of writing a dissertation. Last but not least, I thank my husband, Dorian, for his immeasurable support throughout my three years at University.