MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF MG 28, V 11 FINDING AID 526

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ...... iii

Research Potential ...... iv

Description of Papers ...... v

A ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS ...... 1, 10

B CORRESPONDENCE ...... 3, 11

C SUBJECT FILES ...... 5, 13

D NEWSPAPERS AND CLIPPINGS ...... 7, 13

E PUBLICATIONS ...... 8

F PLAYS ...... 9 INTRODUCTION

The Maltese-Canadian Society of Toronto, the oldest Maltese organization in North America, was founded in September l922. At that time, it was simply called the Maltese-Canadian Society; "of Toronto" was later added in l927, when its first constitution was printed.

The MCST was founded by a group of men who wished to keep the Maltese unified and to stimulate the small, growing community in downtown Toronto. They were John Zammit, Joseph Vassallo, Anthony Scicluna, Emmanuel Borg and Anthony DeBatisse. Its first chairman was Father A. Cauchi, a Maltese Augustinian priest, who first inspired these men to form a group with the goal of erecting a Maltese National Church.

In l93l, St. Paul the Apostle Church was completed. Built by the parishioners with the help of the MCST and the Maltese community as a whole, it had the distinction of being the only national church in North America. In l955, the Society assisted the Franciscan Fathers in building a new church; in l960, the auditorium was completed to commemorate the l9th Centenary of St. Paul's shipwreck in .

For many years, because of its involvement with St. Paul's, the MCST was known as "il-Kazin tal Knisja", the club of the Church. All or most of its funds were directed towards the building of the Church.

During the Second World War, it was in charge of the "Malta Relief Fund" in to raise funds and supplies for beleaguered Malta.

The Society's main objective is to assist new immigrants in making a smooth transition to their new life in Canada, while helping them preserve their cultural identity.

Some of its major activities throughout the year include a Miss Malta of Toronto beauty contest, the annual picnic and children's Christmas party, a carnival dance and an Easter display at City Hall.

The Society was also originally responsible for organizing the Maltese National Day celebrations in Toronto; however, as there were many other Maltese clubs in the community, a National Day Committee was set up in l974 so that all clubs could participate in the preparations for the celebrations.

The MCST is governed by an Executive Committee elected by its members, who are all volunteers. It also has a life-membership award, an honour bestowed upon members devoted to the Society.

This non-profit organization is totally dependent on the proceeds from its main events and donations, with additional support provided by government grants. RESEARCH POTENTIAL

This collection is composed of two parts: the first was donated to the Public Archives in l974 and was worked on by Mario Demarinis; the second was received in l986 and the entire collection was arranged and described by Rina Manconi, under the supervision of Lawrence Tapper. The collection will be of great value to researchers who are seeking information on the Maltese community and the activities of the MCST from l942 to l985. Some of the highlights are the Maltese National Day in Toronto celebrations, the Miss Malta of Toronto beauty pageant and the annual Christmas party for children.

A large part of the collection consists of correspondence; more specifically, the President's, the Public Relations Director's and the various Secretaries'. In fact, much of the duplicate material removed was the multiple copies of correspondence and minutes made for each of these members.

Some of the material was kept in its original order; however, some subject files were created, such as Malta Park, anniversary celebrations and the MCST Band. Of particular interest to genealogists is the nominal list of migrants who left Malta for Canada (l950-l972), described by age, sex, occupation and destination.

Also, because of his many different contributions to the community, a separate file for Richard S. Cumbo, O.S.J., was created. This is in addition to that of both the Corresponding and General Secretaries, Public Relations Director and Acting President (his various positions in the Society). However, there tends to be some overlap among the files since his responsibilities outside the MCST were sometimes closely linked to those inside the Society.

For example, Mr. Cumbo was an active participant in and a principal organizer of The Maltese Language and Culture Group, and a member of the executive of The Federation of Maltese Organizations which was formerly called the Malta Day Committee and The Maltese Organizations Committee.

Another Maltese organization, The Toronto Hibernians Soccer Club, was considered a separate entity not because it was more closely linked to the MCST than other clubs, but because many of its records were included in this collection.

There is also a section on the following: publications found in the collection, newspaper clippings and scrapbooks, and Maltese plays. Volumes l-2, file 6 have been microfilmed. Some issues of the Malta Herald (23 May to 27 December l968 and 3 January to 3l May l969) have been included in the collection. Some of these (l9 August to l3 December l968) can also be found in the National Library. A small l972 coin collection and a plaque were transferred to the National Medal Collection. Several photographs were transferred to the National Photography Collection and some films were transferred to the National Film, Television and Sound Archives. DESCRIPTION OF PAPERS

ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS, n.d., l922-l986. Originals, 65 cm (vols. l-3; 9-l0) History; constitution, minutes of meetings, financial records, lists of members, circulars, lease agreement.

CORRESPONDENCE, n.d., l94l-l986. Originals, 80 cm (vols. 3-5; l0-ll) Correspondence of members of the executive with the following: other members of the MCST, other groups, clubs, and societies, the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem and St. Paul the Apostle Church; general memoranda; invitations and programmes.

SUBJECT SERIES, n.d., l945-l985. Originals, 76 cm (vols. 5-7; ll-l3) Files relating to the MCST's numerous philanthropic activities, including anniversary celebrations (vols. 5; l2); MCST Band (vols. 5-6); charter flights to Malta (vol. 6); children's Christmas party (vol. 6); Miss Malta beauty contest (vol. 7; l0-l2); Maltese National Day (vols. 6; ll); nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada (vols. 6-7); Malta Park (vol. ll); Maltese Language and Culture Group (vol. ll); Richard Cumbo's contributions to the community, outside the MCST (vol. l2); Toronto Hibernians Soccer Club (vols. l2-l3).

NEWSPAPERS AND CLIPPINGS, n.d., l962-l985. Originals, l0 cm (vol. 7; l3) Files include four newspaper clippings scrapbooks.

PUBLICATIONS, l960-l977. Originals, 4 cm (vol. 8) Written in both English and Maltese, includes Directory of Maltese Organizations in Canada and the United States; Forum Melitensis, Lil Hutna, Int u , Prehistoric Sites of Malta and Gozo, and the programme to commemorate the shipwreck of St. Paul in Malta.

PLAYS, n.d., l9l4-l953. Originals, l0 cm (vols. 8-9) Written in Maltese; chiefly manuscripts including original works by Maltese-. MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO

MG 28, V 11

Vol. File Subject Date

ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS

1 1 Historical facts 1922-1972

1 2 Constitution and amendments n.d., 1964- 1967 1 3 Awards to Malta 1942-1943 1 4 Minutes of meetings 1942-1945 1 5 Minutes of meetings 1946-1948 1 6 Minutes of meetings l949 1 7 Minutes of meetings 1950 1 8 Minutes of meetings 1951 1 9 Minutes of meetings 1952 1 10 Minutes of meetings 1953-1955 1 11 Minutes of meetings 1956-1958 1 12 Minutes of meetings 1959 1 13 Minutes of meetings 1960 1 14 Minutes of meetings 1961 1 15 Minutes of meetings 1962 1 16 Minutes of meetings 1963 1 17 Minutes of meetings 1964 2 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO MG 28, V 11 Vol. File Subject Date

1 18 Minutes of meetings 1965 1 19 Minutes of meetings 1966 1 20 Minutes of meetings 1967 1 21 Minutes of meetings, January to May 1968 1 22 Minutes of meetings, June to December 1968 1 23 Minutes of meetings, January to April 1969 1 24 Minutes of meetings, May to December 1969 1 25 Minutes of meetings, January to March 1970 1 26 Minutes of meetings, April to September 1970 1 27 Minutes of meetings, October to December 1970 1 28 Minutes of meetings, January to March 1971

2 1 Minutes of meetings, April to December 1971 2 2 Minutes of meetings, January to June 1972 2 3 Minutes of meetings, July to December 1972 2 4 Minutes of meetings, January to May 1973 2 5 Minutes of meetings, June to December 1973 2 6 Minutes of meetings, January to April 1974 2 7 President's speeches n.d., 1961- 1970 2 8 Treasurer's records 1950-1956 2 9 Treasurer's records 1957-1963 2 10 Financial statements 1949-1960 2 11 Financial statements 1961-1966 2 12 Financial statements 1967-1968 2 13 Financial statements 1969-1970 2 14 Financial statements 1971-1972 2 15 Financial statements 1973-1974 MG 28, V 11 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 3 Vol. File Subject Date

2 16 Petty cash book 1966-1970 2 17 List of executive's members 1961 2 18 List of executive's members 1962 2 19 List of executive's members 1963-1973 2 20 List of members 1969-1974 2 21 List of members and their addresses 1958 2 22 List of members and their addresses 1959-1960

3 1 List of members and their addresses 1966-1969 3 2 List of members and their addresses 1970-1973 3 3 Circulars 1963-1966 3 4 Circulars 1967-1968 3 5 Circulars 1969-1970 3 6 Circulars 1971-1972 3 7 Circulars 1973-1974 3 8 Lease agreement 1970

CORRESPONDENCE

3 9 President's correspondence n.d., 1945- 1959 3 10 President's correspondence 1961-1963 3 11 President's correspondence 1964-1965 3 12 President's correspondence 1966 3 13 President's correspondence 1967 3 14 President's correspondence 1968 3 15 President's correspondence, January to June 1969 3 16 President's correspondence, July to December 1969 4 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO MG 28, V 11 Vol. File Subject Date

3 17 President's correspondence, January to June 1970 3 18 President's correspondence, July to December 1970 3 19 President's correspondence 1971 3 20 President's correspondence, January to April 1972 3 21 President's correspondence, May to December 1972 3 22 President's correspondence, January to September 1973 3 23 President's correspondence, October l973 to January 1974 1973-1974 3 24 General Secretary's correspondence 1946-1959 3 25 General Secretary's correspondence 1960-1962 3 26 General Secretary's correspondence 1964 3 27 General Secretary's correspondence 1965

4 1 General Secretary's correspondence 1966 4 2 General Secretary's correspondence 1967 4 3 General Secretary's correspondence 1968 4 4 General Secretary's correspondence 1969 4 5 General Secretary's correspondence 1970 4 6 General Secretary's correspondence, January to June 1971 4 7 General Secretary's correspondence, July to December 1971 4 8 General Secretary's correspondence, January to April 1972 4 9 General Secretary's correspondence, May to December 1972 4 10 General Secretary's correspondence, January to March 1973 4 11 General Secretary's correspondence, April to August 1973 4 12 General Secretary's correspondence, September to October 1973 4 13 General Secretary's correspondence, November to December 1973 4 14 General Secretary's correspondence 1974 4 15 Corresponding Secretary's correspondence 1949-1952 MG 28, V 11 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 5 Vol. File Subject Date

4 16 Corresponding Secretary's correspondence 1953-1954 4 17 Corresponding Secretary's correspondence 1956-1960 4 18 Corresponding Secretary's correspondence 1961-1968 4 19 Corresponding Secretary's correspondence 1970 4 20 Corresponding Secretary's correspondence 1971-1973 4 21 Public Relations Director's correspondence 1970-1971

5 1 Public Relations Director's correspondence 1972-1973 5 2 Incoming correspondence and memoranda from other Maltese 1941-1962 associations 5 3 Incoming correspondence and memoranda from other Maltese 1965-1970 associations 5 4 Incoming correspondence and memoranda from other Maltese 1972-1974 associations 5 5 Correspondence with St. Paul the Apostle Church 1946-1963 5 6 Correspondence with St. Paul the Apostle Church 1964-1970 5 7 General correspondence and memoranda n.d. 5 8 General correspondence and memoranda 1949-l959 5 9 General correspondence and memoranda l960-1963 5 10 General correspondence and memoranda 1964-1967 5 11 General correspondence and memoranda 1968-1970 5 12 General correspondence and memoranda 1971-1972 5 13 General correspondence and memoranda 1973-1974 5 14 Invitations and programmes n.d., 1956- 1973 5 15 List of important names and addresses n.d., 1967- 1969

SUBJECT SERIES 6 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO MG 28, V 11 Vol. File Subject Date

5 16 Maltese activities n.d.

5 17 Maltese activities 1945-1966

5 18 Maltese activities 1967-1970

5 19 Maltese activities 1971-1973

5 20 Advertising n.d., 1961- 1967 5 21 Fortieth Anniversary celebrations 1962 5 22 Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations 1972 5 23 Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations 1972 6 24 Fiftieth Anniversary celebrations 1972 5 25 Maltese-Canadian Society of Toronto Band n.d., 1969- 1973 5 26 Maltese-Canadian Society of Toronto Band: rehearsals and meetings 1968-1969

6 1 Maltese-Canadian Society of Toronto Band: rehearsals and meetings 1970-1971 6 2 Bingo licence and lottery draws n.d., 1971 6 3 Bingo licence and lottery draws 1972-1973 6 4 Bingo reports 1969 6 5 Bingo reports 1970 6 6 Bingo reports 1971 6 7 Bingo reports 1972 6 8 Canadians buried in Malta n.d. 6 9 Carnival Metro Toronto 1967-1970 6 10 Carnival Metro Toronto 1971 6 11 Centenary Committee, Toronto Citizens: memoranda 1967 MG 28, V 11 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 7 Vol. File Subject Date

6 12 Charter flights to Malta: information n.d., 1958- 1971 6 13 Children's Christmas party 1949-1966 6 14 Children's Christmas party 1967-1968 6 15 Children's Christmas party 1969 6 16 Children's Christmas party 1969 6 17 Children's Christmas party 1969 6 18 Children's Christmas party 1969 6 19 Children's Christmas party 1970 6 20 Children's Christmas party 1970 6 21 Children's Christmas party 1971 6 22 Children's Christmas party 1971 6 23 Children's Christmas party n.d., 1973- 1974 6 24 Council Maltese of Metropolitan Toronto n.d. 6 25 General inventory cared for by the executive members 1953-1968 6 26 Maltese National Day, Toronto n.d., 1965- 1966 6 27 Maltese National Day, Toronto 1967 6 28 Maltese National Day, Toronto 1968 6 29 Maltese National Day, Toronto 1969-1973

7 1 Maltese residents in Toronto 1957 7 2 Migrants convention 1969 7 3 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1968 7 4 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1969 7 5 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1969 7 6 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1970 7 7 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1970 8 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO MG 28, V 11 Vol. File Subject Date

7 8 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1971 7 9 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1972 7 10 Miss Malta Beauty Contest 1972 7 11 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1950-1951 7 12 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1952-1953 7 13 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1954-1955 7 14 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1956-1957 7 15 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1958 7 16 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1959-1960 7 17 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1961-1962 7 18 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1970 7 19 Nominal roll of migrants who left Malta for Canada 1971-1972 7 20 Recipes 1972-1974

NEWSPAPERS AND CLIPPINGS

7 21 Newspaper clippings n.d., 1962- 1974 7 22 Newspaper clippings scrapbook No. l n.d. 7 23 Newspaper clippings scrapbook No. 2 n.d. 7 24 Maltese immigrants in Canada: press clippings 1948-1972

81 Il-hajja 1970 82 Ir Review 1969 83 If-Torca 1970 84 Lehen Malta 1967 85 L-Orizzont 1974 86 Telstar U Il-Berqa 1969 MG 28, V 11 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 9 Vol. File Subject Date

87 The Malta Herald, May to August 1968

88 The Malta Herald, September to December 1968

89 The Malta Herald, January to May 1969

810 The Malta Star 1969 811 The Maltese Herald 1969 812 The Times 1968 813 Times of Malta 1969 814 Villager, April 1974 815 Villager, May 1974

PUBLICATIONS

8 16 Directory of Maltese Organizations in Canada 1972 817 Dockyard News 1964-1967 818 Forum Melitensis, Autumn 1969 819 Forum Melitensis, Winter 1969-1970 820 Four Dark Days in History 1963 821 Int U Ontario 1974 822 Lil Hutna 1968-1977 823 Malta Sport 1976-1977 824 Lill-Benefatturi, Almanakk 1964 825 London News 1969 826 Prehistoric Sites of Malta and Gozo 1969 8 27 Programme for the commemoration of "The Shipwreck of St. Paul in 1960 Malta" 828 The Twelfth Annual Report of the Children's Games 1968

PLAYS 10 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO MG 28, V 11 Vol. File Subject Date

829 Ahbar Falza 1934 830 Ara Gei n.d. 831 Argentina 1923 832 Bajda-u-Hamra 1947 833 Il Burdnar Farsa B'att Wiehed 1952 834 Commander Smith n.d. 835 Il Cont tal Fimural 1914 836 Delitt ta Missier 1945 837 Il-Genn ta' Pawlinu 1953 838 Imhabba Approvata 1915 839 Invenzioni Meraviljusa 1930

91 Il Povero Cirillu Baka Bir-richa n.d. 92 Iz Leng Rivali 1923

93 Iz-Zewg Surgenti 1949 94 Karnival n.d. 95 Kif Inhu Miktuf 1951 96 Laham Mibiuti n.d. 97 La Vendetta ossia i tre Rivali 1935 98 L'Imhabba Tal Ahua 1933 99 Mil Habs Gej u Mil Habs Sejjer n.d. 910 Il Qalb Ingrata Tal Missier 1959 911 Li Stallett ta Missieri 1945 912 Tifkira, Lejlet-il-Milied, Il-Hames Wiehed 1944 9 13 Miscellaneous plays n.d. 9 14 Miscellaneous plays n.d. MG 28, V 11 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 11 Vol. File Subject Date

ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS

9 16 Historical facts n.d., 1972- 1984 9 17 Constitution and amendments n.d., 1974- 1984 9 18 Minutes of meetings, January to June 1974 9 19 Minutes of meetings, July to December 1974 9 20 Minutes of meetings, January to March 1975 9 21 Minutes of meetings, April l975 to January l976 1975-1976 9 22 Minutes of meetings, April l977 to March l978 1977-1978 9 23 Minutes of meetings, February l979 to January l980 1979-1980 9 24 Minutes of meetings, February l980 to February l985 1980-1985 9 25 Treasurer's records 1974-1978 9 26 Treasurer's records 1979-1982 9 27 Treasurer's records 1983-1985 9 28 Annual and monthly financial statements 1973-1975 9 29 Annual and monthly financial statements 1976-1985

10 1 List of executive members 1971-1980 10 2 List of members, including life members and deceased members n.d., 1963- 1976 10 3 List of members and their addresses 1966-1971 10 4 List of applications for membership n.d., 1975- 1985 10 5 Circulars, newsletters and notices n.d., 1973- 1986 10 6 Contracts, permits and miscellaneous invoices 1973-1985 12 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO MG 28, V 11 Vol. File Subject Date

10 7 Awards to members of the society: applications and regulations n.d., 1983- 1985

CORRESPONDENCE

10 8 President's correspondence n.d., 1973- 1976 10 9 President's correspondence 1977-1986 10 10 General Secretary's correspondence, l973 to May l974 n.d., 1973- 1974 10 11 General Secretary's correspondence, June to December 1974 10 12 General Secretary's correspondence 1975-1980 10 13 General Secretary's correspondence 1981-1983 10 14 General Secretary's correspondence 1984-1985 10 15 Public Relations Director's correspondence 1972-1979 10 16 Public Relations Director's correspondence 1980 10 17 Public Relations Director's correspondence 1981-1982 10 18 Public Relations Director's correspondence 1983-1984 10 19 Public Relations Director's correspondence 1985-1986 10 20 Correspondence of other members of the Executive 1974-1984 10 21 Correspondence with other members of the Society n.d., 1974- 1975 10 22 Correspondence with other members of the Society 1976-1985 10 23 Correspondence with Maltese immigrants and others requesting 1974-1986 information/assistance 10 24 Correspondence with Malta n.d., 1972- 1978

11 1 Correspondence with Malta 1979-1985 MG 28, V 11 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 13 Vol. File Subject Date

11 2 Correspondence with other Maltese organizations, including n.d., 1974- newsletters 1975 11 3 Correspondence with other Maltese organizations, including 1976-1977 newsletters 11 4 Correspondence with other Maltese organizations, including 1978-1979 newsletters 11 5 Correspondence with other Maltese organizations, including 1980-1981 newsletters 11 6 Correspondence with other Maltese organizations, including 1982-1983 newsletters 11 7 Correspondence with other Maltese organizations, including 1984-1985 newsletters 11 8 Correspondence with other clubs, groups, societies n.d., 1974 11 9 Correspondence with other clubs, groups, societies 1975-1977 11 10 Correspondence with other clubs, groups, societies 1978-1980 11 11 Correspondence with other clubs, groups, societies 1981-1983 11 12 Correspondence with other clubs, groups, societies 1984-1986 11 13 Correspondence with the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem n.d., 1974- 1984 11 14 Incoming cards, invitations and memoranda n.d., 1960- 1986

SUBJECT SERIES

11 15 Federation of Maltese Organizations: constitution, correspondence, n.d., 1976- minutes 1985 11 16 Malta Park 1978-1981 11 17 Maltese Directory 1972-1974 11 18 Maltese Language and Culture Group (Mediterranean studies group) n.d., 1978- 1979 11 19 Maltese National Day in Toronto 1974-1984 11 20 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1973 14 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO MG 28, V 11 Vol. File Subject Date

11 21 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1974

12 1 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1975 12 2 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1976 12 3 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1977 12 4 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1978 12 5 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1979 12 6 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1980 12 7 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1981 12 8 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1982 12 9 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1983 12 10 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1984 12 11 Miss Malta Beauty Pageant 1985 12 12 Richard Cumbo: other contributions to ethnic community 1973-1980 12 13 Richard Cumbo: other contributions to ethnic community 1981-1982 12 14 Richard Cumbo: other contributions to ethnic community 1983 12 15 Richard Cumbo: other contributions to ethnic community 1984-1985 12 16 Sixtieth Anniversary: correspondence and commemorative booklet 1982-1983 12 17 Toronto Hibernians Soccer Club: minutes, correspondence and list of 1974-1983 executives

13 1 Toronto Hibernians Soccer Club: ledger 1981-1984

NEWSPAPER AND CLIPPINGS

13 2 Newspaper clippings n.d., 1974- 1985 13 3 Newspaper clippings scrapbook No. l n.d. MG 28, V 11 MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 15 Vol. File Subject Date

13 4 Newspaper clippings scrapbook No. 2 n.d.

14 1 Newspaper clippings 1985-1986 14 2-4 Miscellaneous: clippings, articles, newsletters 1979-1985 14 5 Constitution, invitations and celebrations n.d. 14 6 Newspaper clipping and picture of Alicia Doleres Cumbo's baptism 1982