The Maltese Diaspora
With migration from the Maltese Islands being so rife post WW2, the Maltese diaspora has become quite vast. Estimating the exact population size of the Maltese diaspora has always been a challenge. In round figures it is estimated that there are about 120,000 first generation and 300,000 second and third generation Maltese living overseas, making a total diaspora population of about 420,000, as large as the population of the Maltese Islands.
The main host countries are Australia, Canada, USA, UK and NZ. The biggest Maltese community outside Malta is in Australia, with the State of Victoria having the largest number of Maltese. The State of New South Wales comes in a close second. In the United States of America, the largest Maltese communities can be found in Detroit, New York and San Francisco.
Maltese in Australia
The first Maltese arrivals to Australia were convicts who arrived around 1810. The first Maltese migrant (as opposed to convict or bonded servant) is thought to have been Antonio Azzopardi who arrived in Melbourne in 1837. In 1883 their was the arrival of the first group of 70 labourers and nine stowaways. Group and mass migration gradually picked up, first, to Queensland and, after World War I, to Sydney. Maltese immigration to Australia reached its peak during the 1960s.
The first woman to migrate from Malta to Australia was Carmela Sant in 1915. The move was prompted by her husband Giuseppe Ellul, who had migrated in 1913. Giuseppe was a stonemason in Mosta before moving to Australia to commence a successful career in sugar cane and dairy farming in Mackay, Queensland. In 1916 the couple gave birth to the firstborn Maltese Australian, Joseph Ellul.
Maltese in Victoria, Australia
The majority of Maltese immigrants reside in Melbourne's western suburbs of Sunshine, and St Albans.
Maltese in New South Wales, Australia
The majority of Maltese immigrants reside in Sydney's western suburbs, in Greystanes and Horsley Park.
Maltese in Michigan, USA
Many Maltese who once lived in Corktown have moved to surrounding communities, like Dearborn Heights, Redford, Livonia, downriver cities and even across the river to Canada. However, there are still many Maltese living in Corktown and other parts of Detroit and they remain proud of the community that the first Maltese migrants found when they left Malta. Images representing the community can be found at Most Holy Trinity Church, which displays a Maltese flag.
In the 2008 American Community Survey, there were an estimated 50,691 Maltese Americans, which was up from the 2000 United States Census that listed some 40,159 Americans who claimed Maltese ancestry. This includes Maltese-born migrants to the United States, their American-born descendants as well as numerous migrants of Maltese origin from other nations.
The Maltese clubs in Detroit and Dearborn, the Maltese American Benevolent Society Inc and the Maltese American Community Club in Dearborn continue to thrive with events, including the Miss Malta Pageants, visits from Maltese politicians and church hierarchy from Malta and feast day dinners.
Definitions
There are various definitions for Maltese living outside of the Maltese Islands.
- Maltese migrants to Australia are Maltese born migrants.
- Maltese Australians are children born to Maltese who migrated to Australia; also known as first generation Maltese.
- Second Generation and subsequent generations of Maltese born migrants in Australia are considered as Australians of Maltese descent
- Maltese migrants to the USA are Maltese born migrants.
- Maltese Americans are children born to Maltese who migrated to America; also known as first generation Maltese.
- Second Generation and subsequent generations of Maltese born migrants in USA are considered as Americans of Maltese descent
The majority of Maltese born migrants maintain strong political ties with Malta.
Representations
Following the Convention for Maltese Living Abroad in 2010, the Federation of Maltese Living Abroad (FMLA) was formally established, with representatives from various countries.
In 2011, the Council for Maltese Living Abroad was set up. The Council for Maltese Living Abroad is made up of representatives of Maltese communities as well as experts in the field of migration and it was set up with the approval of the House of Representatives. The Council is represented by 5 experts from Australia, Canada, UK, Europe and Malta and council members from Australia, USA, Canada, Europe and Malta. The Council will also strive to set up a Maltese Cultural Institute.
The next Convention for Maltese Living Abroad is going to be held in 2015.