MALTESE-CANADIAN SOCIETY OF TORONTO 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 Malta. 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 Canada 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 Ontario, 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-Canadians. 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