Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE HST2015

 
TITLE Tracing Family History: Archival Depositories, Digital Resources and Genealogical Research

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT History

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit presents in a systematic way the Maltese documentations that can be used for family search and history. The study of a specific family may appear as a disconnected type of research. Yet, the search of a family's origins is interlinked to the study of local history. Over the years, one loses all traces about the origins of his or her family.

Thanks to the richness of the Maltese archives, one can successfully work out his or her family origins right down to the sixteenth century and in some cases, can even go as far back as the late Middle Ages. The different types of archival material which can be used for ancestral research will be described. Practical sessions will be held in different archives while the students will learn how to read old documentation, in particular, church parish records, which are fundamental for genealogical research.

This study-unit will also delve into the study of oral history and traditions within the families. Old family photos and albums, together with the origins of surnames will be assessed as they can reveal the origins and hidden stories within a family. The origins and meaning of Maltese surnames will be explained while the story behind the creation a heraldry or coats-of-arms of Maltese surnames will be reviewed.

The use of computers is becoming an indispensable tool in the study of history. Artificial intelligence offers a spectrum of opportunities for the exploration and contexualisation of these past historical realities, which cannot be identified or explored through the conventional tools applied until now to the study of history. However, the use of primary sources cannot be forgotten. Many libraries are digitizing their documentation. Yet, libraries and archives will continue to play a central role for historians. Malta is extremely rich in its archival deposits from the period of early modern times onwards. It is important that these libraries are explored by the students following history courses. These digital sources enhance the tools available for the undertaking and research of individual family histories.

History is human centred. Digital intelligence is a science. The element of bias found in many of the documents has proved to be a historical trap, sometimes leading the user to ‘blackboxing’ events. This is usually attained whenever the students rely uncritically on historical documents. Students need to learn how to evaluate historical material,even when undertaking family research, both if they are actual documents or in digital format. Specialized I.T. programmes, such as Casoar, Heredis and Brother’s Keeper can help students to reassess their ideas and attitudes towards the reconstruction of past families. The gap between formal and informal history would be narrowed.

Aims:

This study-unit aims to meet the investigative interest in the history of the family but at the same time aims to go beyond the compilation of family trees. It seeks to introduce the student to the rich sources of the Maltese archives for ancestral research. It aims to instill in the student a love for local history and at the same time offers professional training and guidance for those wishing to take genealogy as a profession. This study-units also seeks to teach the students how to search history databases besides introducing them to the use of Internet for the study of history.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- undertake archival research both at archives as well as through the net;
- know the current archival procedures and how to do research in Maltese archives;
- undertake genealogical studies;
- define the difference between current and non-current demographic records;
- appraise the rich historical resources available for researchers of Maltese history;
- discover one's past and the joy of doing family trees;
- identify local historic depositories, in particular state and ecclesiastical archives, business and private archives, together with community archives;
- be familiar with heralds and heraldry design;
- diagnose the origins of Maltese surnames;
- recognize the difference between different types of religious acts.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- become a professional genealogist or family researcher;
- investigate your one's family and neighbourhood’s history;
- identify, read and interpret original source material which is important to the study of family history;
- read old handwriting, Latin and Italian, as well as religious and legal acts;
- master better the study of local history;
- answer queries about the origins of surnames and those related to heraldry;
- collect, preserve and manage sound and oral history;
- undertake research in archival indexes;
- use different data sources;
- undertake research in public and private archives regarding historical material related to Maltese demographic and social history;
- do research at the Notarial Archives, the Cathedral Archives, the State Archives and the Public Libary Archives;
- make critical assessments about past historical documents and relate them within a time frame;
- research related to historical databases on the web;
- make independent assessments about the validity, reliability and trustworthiness of historical documents;
- read old handwriting, Latin and Italian religious and legal acts.

Reading List:

Main Texts
• Simon Mercieca, ‘Fonti religiose per lo studio della famiglia a Malta’, Popolazione e Famiglia el Mezzo Giorno Moderno Fonti e nuove Prospettive d’Indagine, ed. Giovanna da Molin, Cacucci Editore – Italia, 2007, pp. 125-164.
• Simon Mercieca, ‘Introduction á la démographie historique maltaise: Une vue generale des source et des documents conservés dans les archives’, Histoire des familles, de la démographie et des comportements, eds. Jean- Pierre Poussou and Isabelle Robin-Romero, PUPS, 2007, pp. 183-200.

Supplementary readings
• Antoinette Schembri and Noel Buttigieg, A Demographic Study of Marriages in Vittoriosa (1558-1850), (History Department, University of Malta) unpublished B.A. Hons dissertation, 1997.
• Vanessa Borg, Birgu a Demographic Overview 1558 – 1658, (History Department, University of Malta) unpublished B.A. Hons dissertation, 1999.
• Alistair-Paul Borg, Qormi: A Demographic Overview. 1560-1635. (History Department, University of Malta) unpublished B.A. (Hons) dissertation, 1999.
• Henri Franz Gauci, A Demographic History of Haz Zebbug 1550-1650, (History Department, University of Malta) unpublished B.A. (Hons) dissertation, 2006.
• Edward Azzopardi, On the Reconstruction of Families from the Naxxar Parish Records: 1546 –1650, unpublished B.Ed. (Hons) dissertation, 2001.
• Rachel Bellia, Naxxar 1550-1650. A Demographic Study, University of Malta, Unpublished B.Ed., (Hons) dissertation,1998.
• Antoinette Schembri, Senglea 1586-1744, An Historical Demographic Analysis, (Department of History, University of Malta) unpublished M.A. dissertation, 1999.
• Alistair-Paul Borg, Migration and Mobility in Early Modern Malta, The Harbour City of Valletta as a Case-Study 1575 - 1650, (History Department, University of Malta) unpulished M.A. dissertation, 2003.
• Victoria Debono, A Demographic Analysis of the Population of Rabat at the Threshold of the Baroque, (University of Malta) Unpublished M.A. (Baroque Studies) dissertation, 2005.
• Said, G., Daily Life in the Village of Mosta 1600-1650, University of Malta, Unpublished B.A. (Gen) Dissertation, University of Malta, 1975.
• Bowman, R., and Sultana, P., Marriages between 1627 - 1650 (Porto Salvo) Valletta, University of Malta, Unpublished B.A. (Gen) dissertation, 1973.
• Baldacchino, J., and Psaila M.R., A Demographic Study Conducted in the Parish of St. Domenic's (Valletta). University of Malta, unpublished B.A. (Gen) dissertation, 1973.
• Calleja. C., Aspects of The Social History of Mosta, (University of Malta) unpublished B.A. (Gen) dissertation, 1973.
• Camilleri E., & Pirotta, J., The Parish of Naxxar 1600-1650. A Demographic Study, (University of Malta) unpublished B.A. (Gen) dissertation, 1973.
• G. Zammit and S. Muscat, Bir Miftuh. 1600-1635, (University of Malta) unpublished B.A. (Gen)., 1973.
• Grech, J.R., Seychel, V., and Zammit, G., Tarxien 1596-1650. A Study of the Baptism and Marriage Records of the Parish, (University of Malta), unpublished B.A. (Gen) dissertation, 1973.
• Pace, F.J., A Short History of Casal Gregorio, (University of Malta) unpublished B.A. (Gen) dissertation, 1972.
• Rizzo, V., Senglea - 1759-1798, (University of Malta) unpublished B.A. (Hons) Dissertation, 1979.
• Zammit, M., Zurrieq 1750-1801, (University of Malta) Unpublsihed B.A. (Hons) Dissertation, 1976.
• Vella Bondin, J., and Micallef, A., A Social Study of the Death Records of the Parish of Saint Domenic Porto Salvo 1790-1815, (University of Malta) unpublished BA. (Gen) Dissertation, 1973.
• Zammit, H. E., Some Aspects of Demographic and Social History in the Second Half of the 17th Century with Special Reference to the Parish of Porto Salvo, Valletta, (University of Malta) unpublished M.A. dissertation, 1981.
• Testa, J. G., Aspects of Maltese Family Life in the First Half of the Seventeenth Century (with special reference to the parish of Porto Salvo), (University of Malta) unpublished M.A. dissertation, 1980.
• Lunetta, D., Etude Demographique d’une Ville Maltaise au XVIIIe Siecle: Senglea. (Thesis de Matrise, Université de Paris IV-Sorbonne, 1994-5).
• Mercieca, S., Ètude de la Population Maltaise á travers l’exemple de la Ville Portuaire de Senglea: Sources et Methodes. (Thesis de D.E.A, Université de Paris IV-Sorbonne, 1994-5.
• Richardson, M., Aspects of the Demography of Modern Malta: A Study of Human Geography of the Maltese islands, (Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis University of Durham. 1960).
• Leman, J.A., A Demographic Study of St. Paul's Parish, Valletta 1595-1798 using the Method of Family Reconstruction. (Ph.D. Thesis. University of Aberdeen, 1989, 2 vols).
• Mercieca S. 2002: Community Life in the Central Mediterranean. A Socio-Demographic Study of the Maltese Harbour Towns in Early Modern Times. Bormla:1587-1815.(Ph.D.Thesis-Paris IV-Sorbonne).

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Fieldwork and Seminar

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Assignment SEM1 Yes 50%
Archival and Digital Fieldwork SEM1 Yes 50%

 
LECTURER/S Simon Mercieca

 

 
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