A History of the Maltese Emigration to the Bay Area

A History of the Maltese Emigration to the Bay Area

By Charles J. Vella, PhD, 2022

The first immigrants from Malta to the United States arrived in this country during the mid-eighteenth century via the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. Many Americans assumed Malta was part of Italy. In some cases, "Born Malta, Italy" was put on tombstones of Maltese because of the confusion. (You will see this even reflected on immigration records that Italy is used as description of origin, not Malta)

However, at this time and in the nineteenth century the Maltese who emigrated to the United States were still scarce. In fact, in the 1860s, only between five and ten Maltese emigrated to the United States every year. The majority of them were agricultural workers, and, in the case of New Orleans, market gardeners and vegetable dealers. After World War I, in 1919, Maltese immigration to the US increased. Thus, just in the first quarter of 1920 more than 1,300 Maltese immigrated to the United States.

Detroit, Michigan, with jobs in the expanding automobile industry, drew the largest share of immigrants. It is believed that in the following years, more than 15,000 Maltese people emigrated to the United States, later getting U.S. citizenship. A significant percentage of early Maltese immigrants intended to stay only temporarily for work, but many settled in the US permanently. In addition to Detroit, other industrial cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Pedro, and Long Beach, California, attracted Maltese immigrants.

Later, after World War II, the Maltese Government committed to pay passage costs to Maltese people who wanted to emigrate and live at least two years abroad. The island's government promoted the Maltese emigration because the island was overpopulated. This program led to increased emigration by the people of the island and made up approximately 8,000 Maltese who arrived in the United States between the years 1947 and 1977.

The earliest references in the US censuses of Maltese in the Bay area include the following:

1850 US Census has no one born in Malta in San Francisco, CA; only a total of 84 in all the USA (Boston, 16; New Orleans, 24; New York, 12)

1860 US Census has 7 people born in Malta living in San Francisco, CA; but only 2 with a Maltese surname, J. Camilleri, and John Zammit; only 14 in California, 118 in USA 

in US 1870 US census has 4 people born in Malta living in San Francisco, CA; but only 1 with a Maltese surname, Cassar (listed as Goss); only 7 in California, 115 in USA 

in US 1880 US census has 16 (7 Maltese surnames) Maltese living in San Francisco CA; only 23 in California, and 188 in USA

in US 1900 US census has 11 Maltese living in San Francisco, CA; 22 in California; 164 in USA

in US 1910 US census has 15 Maltese living in San Francisco, CA; 4 families; 31 in California; 144 in USA (New Orleans, 14; New York, 34)

in US 1920 census has 345 Maltese living in San Francisco, CA (276 males); 66 families, lot of sugar refinery workers (probably Spreckels' Western Sugar Factory beneath Potrero Hill), rope factory, wrecking company laborers; there is a story that Fr. Theophilus Cachia OFM, who arrived in 1916), brought 200 Maltese to the Bay Area; there were 392 Maltese in California and 1218 in USA (Detroit, 366 (320 males); New York, 189; New Orleans, 37) 

in US 1930 census has 592 Maltese in San Francisco; 264 families, 408 males; almost all men were laborers; lots of sugar refinery, hog farm, janitors; there were 668 Maltese in California and 4527 Maltese in USA (Detroit, 2331; New York, 1298)

in US 1940 US census has 640 Maltese living in San Francisco. 413 families; almost all men were laborers; 675 in California; and 4399 Maltese in US (1766 in Detroit MI; 1501 in New York)

In US 1950 (coming soon)

(Census research by author)

Based on The Great Exodus by Fr. Lawrence E. Attard, the following early history of Maltese emigrants to San Francisco is offered:

Towards the end of the nineteenth century a few Maltese had found their way to the Pacific Coast of the USA The report issued by the Emigration Committee of Malta on November 26, 1910, claimed that the Maltese in California numbered about two hundred. One member of that Committee, Dr. Charles Mattei, wrote that by 1911 he had helped five hundred emigrants to settle in North America, most of whom had told him that their final destination was to be California. Applicants who had received financial help from the V. Bugeja Fund between 1909 and 1911 had numbered about sixty-six men. Some of these intending emigrants had applied to emigrate to California. Two eminent members on the Emigration Committee, Professor Lawrence Manche' and Dr. Charles Mattei, were both strongly in favor of encouraging Maltese to settle in California. Mattei preferred the Golden State because that State was then going through a period of robust development where jobs outnumbered workers, particularly on the railroads. In 1910 there were Maltese employed by the North Pacific Railway at four dollars a day. Dr. Mattei had been to California to see for himself and on one of his visits he said he met some sixty Maltese who had been in the State since 1900. These men also said that since they set foot in California they had never been out of work.

The Royal Commission of 1911 had favored emigration to British possessions within the Empire. The Commissioners however, mentioned California as one favorable exception to this rule and wrote encouragingly about prospects for intending Maltese emigrants to that part of the world. Most Maltese preferred San Francisco where they settled in the areas of San Bruno and the Bayview area, called Butcherstown (related to nearby slaughterhouses). In 1911 the Maltese population there was estimated at about two hundred. [CJV: see census above for correction]

In 1913, a Maltese Protective Society was formed to offer financial aid to women who lost their husbands to work place accidents (a form of Workers Comp).

In 1914 the Maltese community in and around San Francisco welcomed a Maltese priest to work there on a permanent basis. This was the Rev. Andrew Azzopardi who soon organized his people into an ethnic parish. In 1915 the archbishop of San Francisco bought a hall which had been built in 1874 and gave it to the Maltese to use as their own church. The hall was situated in the Bay View District. Eventually, the Maltese pastor also offered his services to other immigrants living in the area, especially to the Italians.

After the retirement of the Rev. A. Azzopardi, OFM, in 1919, another Maltese priest took over the running of the parish. This was the Rev. Theophilus Cachia, OFM, who had been living previously in a nearby parish. Both priests belonged to the Maltese Franciscans.

Father Cachia modified and enlarged the hall. On February 12, 1922, the hall was consecrated as a church by the archbishop of San Francisco and was given the official title of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Maltese Church. The parish was situated at 1509 Oakdale Avenue. "The Monitor" was the official organ of the archdiocese of San Francisco and on January 4, 1919, the editor published the obituary of a Maltese Jesuit who had died at the beginning of that year. The priest was the Rev. Vincent A. Testa who had been pastor of the Mission Church of Santa Clara. Father Testa was born in Malta in 1841 and emigrated to the USA when he was in his twenty-third year. He did his studies in Woodstock, Maryland, and was ordained in the USA in 1874. He taught for twenty years in Saint Ignatius University in San Francisco. He died in Santa Clara and "The Monitor" described him as "one of the best known and most highly respected priests in California".

By the late twenties the Maltese population in and around San Francisco was about 5,000 (CJV: error only 590 by 1930 per US census). When, during the Depression, emigration from Malta to the USA not only dwindled but also a number of Maltese decided to return to their country, the Maltese in California stood their own and were not as badly hit as their countrymen in Detroit and New York.

According to Mr. Francis Grech, who was responsible for the Maltese Club of San Francisco, the Maltese in California were in a stable condition, even if some were out of work. That same club was busy with philanthropic work in the Maltese community. Mr. Grech claimed that the Maltese mixed well with other people, some men had married American women and most of them had decided to opt for American citizenship. Mr. Grech was himself a highly intelligent emigrant who had done his studies in engineering before he left for the U. S.A. He had worked on the Golden Gate Bridge and had been officially commanded for his work. He was also very active within his ethnic community.

Towards the end of November 1929, thirty-five Maltese residents of San Francisco met to discuss the establishment of a Colonial Club. A committee was given the task of finding suitable premises for a meeting place. In January 1930, they rented the ground floor of a house at 1648 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco. The Maltese Club of San Francisco opened on February 1, 1930. That same month, a committee selected the first officers of the club: Francis Grech, President; C. Fenech, Vice-President; E. Micallef, Secretary; J. Azzopardi, Treasurer; C. Scicluna, Assistant Secretary; and R. Deguara, Assistant Treasurer. Hence, the Maltese Club of San Francisco was given birth.

An Inauguration Ball was held on opening day. Mr. Grech himself served as the first president. According to Mr. Grech, on the day the Club was inaugurated, most Maltese living in the Bay Area wanted to get inside. It was not possible for everybody to be accommodated and many had to be turned back. In his opening speech the President regretted the fact that some people had to be turned back but he assured his hearers that his association was willing to cooperate fully with local authorities to help further the welfare of the Maltese living in the Bay Area. Mr. Grech also reminded those present of the importance of learning English if they wanted to be successful. He promised to organize classes so that those willing to learn English would be given the opportunity to do so. The President concluded his speech by auguring a bright future for the Club.

In less than five years the Maltese Club of San Francisco had seven hundred and fifty enrolled members [although census says different] thus making it the major Maltese organization in the area. The Club worked in cooperation with the Parish, and although Mr. Grech and Father Cachia did have their differences, they always put the well-being of their community above every other consideration.

Other Club members who were musically talented organized a jazz band which played at dances and picnics and even gave concerts. This San Francisco Maltese Band even played for the welcome of Archbishop Edward Hanna at his dedication of the St. Paul of the Shipwreck Church auditorium. Very soon after, the Melita Soccer Football Team decided to join the Maltese Club, doubling the Club's membership. In 1932, the Sons of Malta Soccer Team, as the Club's team was now called, won the Redmen Convention trophy in Santa Cruz.

In October 1930, eight months after the opening of the Club, a Maltese Band was set up. The bandsmen, twenty-five of them, posed for their official photograph, resplendent in their new uniforms. The director of the Band was Mr. Charles Fenech. When the bandmaster presented his first public performance, Father Cachia, the pastor of the Maltese parish, presented him with a Maltese flag. According to an observer from New York who happened to be visiting the Maltese community in San Francisco, the new band was the pride of the Maltese living in California. In March 1940 the Maltese Band celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of the creation of the Parish. That same year was also the tenth anniversary of the Band and it was thought fitting to commemorate the two events.

Charles Fenech wrote that the Maltese Band was popular with the Maltese and with the Americans. It was being invited for municipal, State and County engagements. In later years Maestro Fenech also set up a String Orchestra which played a number of hits which were in demand at the time.

Besides the Band and the Orchestra, the members of the Maltese Club decided to organize a dramatic company which they named as "Vittoria". The director was Frank Cutajar. Plays like "Othello" were produced in Maltese translations because Frank Cutajar thought that there were many good dramatic companies in the area which were capable of presenting theatrical works in English. Only his "Vittoria" was able to give good entertainment in Maltese. Mr. F. Cutajar was also of the opinion that while integration was necessary there was no reason why the Maltese should lose their language and their identity.

In 1930 Mr. Joseph Borg wrote a special play which dealt with the victory of the Maltese over the Turks in 1565. When the Club of San Francisco held its festivities on Malta's National Day, September 8, the play written by Joseph Borg formed an added attraction. The company "Vittoria" also presented three more plays in Maltese: Pagliacciu, Il Kuncert ta' Teatrin, and Il Prinioli Misteriusi.

Mr. P.P. Vella was asked to give a lecture on the significance of the victory of 1565. When the talk was over, the curtain was raised, and a panorama of the Grand Harbor appeared. That scene was ably painted by Mr. Lawrence Camilleri. Then a boy dressed as a Knight of Malta, appeared on the stage to hoist a Maltese flag. This was greeted by a tremendous applause. Next followed the mystic prayer by the poet Dun Karm which was later to be adopted as the National Anthem of Malta: "Lil Din 1-Art Helwa" which in English could be rendered as "To this Fair Land". The prayer was sung by the children's choir under the baton of Maestro Charles Fenech. The boys in the choir were dressed as Knights of Malta whereas the girls were in the traditional colors, white and red.

Miss Esther Sherry sang her solo part which was enthusiastically received. She was asked to sing the "prayer" again and again. Twelve tableaux vivants were presented. Three of these were received with great applause. The three depicted: "Triumphant Malta Saluting the Blessed Virgin" with Miss Esther Sherry singing the Ave Maria accompanied by Mr. Charles Scicluna as violinist and Mrs. C. Frendo on the piano. "La Valette Exhorting Malta" was presented by Emmanuel Falzon helped by his troupe called "Int Sabieha 0 Malta taghna". (You are so fair, Our Malta). "Malta Mourning the Brave" which came as an epilogue to the raising of the Great Siege and the subsequent Christian victory of September 8, 1565.

In November 1930, Mr. F. Grech, president of the Maltese Club of San Francisco, wrote to Malta to complain about the fact that his Club received no official recognition from the Maltese Government even though they did what they could to publicize Malta. He also mentioned the fact that his members had contributed a substantial sum towards the Malta War Memorial for Children. This they had done in spite of the hard times which were being experienced by most people living in America.

Mr. Grech reminded his readers in Malta that Maltese immigrants living in the USA were working people who had to strive hard to earn their living. Mr. Grech also said that he and his members offered their assistance to those Maltese who arrived in San Francisco. He also pointed out that it was the policy of his Club to teach the children of Maltese migrants something about their culture and history. This they did by getting together on special occasions which were dear to the Maltese in Malta. Finally, Mr. F. Grech mentioned the activities which were being done by the "Vittoria" dramatic company, the Band and the String Orchestra and by their soccer team. He hoped to open a small lending library which would make available books in English and Maltese, to those who wished to find good books. The library would also help to combat illiteracy which was such a major drawback hindering the progress of a number of Maltese.

(Source: The Great Exodus by Fr Lawrence E. Attard. (C) P.E.G. Ltd - 1989.)

The Club’s activities encouraged many other Maltese to enroll, so bigger premises became an indispensable necessity. In June 1931, the committee rented the large building, a former church, at 1789 Oakdale Avenue. The Club eventually bought the property, which remained its headquarters until 1995, when the Oakdale building was sold and the Club’s present premises at 924 El Camino Real in South San Francisco became the Club’s new home.”

“In 1914 the Maltese community in and around San Francisco welcomed a Maltese priest to work there on a permanent basis. This was the Rev. Andrew Azzopardi[, OFM,] who soon organized his people into an ethnic parish. In 1915 the archbishop of San Francisco[, Edward Joseph Hanna,] bought a hall which had been built in 1874 and gave it to the Maltese to use as their own church. The hall was situated in the Bay View District. Eventually, the Maltese pastor also offered his services to other immigrants living in the area, especially to the Italians.

“After the retirement of the Rev. A. Azzopardi in 1919, another Maltese priest took over the running of the parish. This was the Rev. Theophilus Cachia[, OFM,] who had been living previously in a nearby parish. Both priests belonged to the Maltese Franciscans.

“Father Cachia modified and enlarged the hall. On February 12, 1922, the hall was consecrated as a church by the archbishop of San Francisco and was given the official title of St. Paul of the Shipwreck Maltese Church. The parish was situated at 1509 Oakdale Avenue.” 

The Maltese Historical Society was founded in 2015, with Mona Vella Nicholas as its first president and Charles J Vella, as secretary.