Maltese in Michigan

by Joseph M. Lubig

Overview

Maltese in Michigan is an enlivening volume depicting the struggles and accomplishments of a singular culture, an immigrant narrative at once recognizable and enigmatic. Without realizing it, most Americans are probably familiar with the Maltese people through the cross displayed by firefighters, which bears a strong similarity in design and meaning to the one used by the Knights of Malta. The noble qualities embodied by the Maltese Cross are reflected in the pride and accomplishments of Maltese immigrants in Michigan, a small but vibrant ethnic group. Rooted in the post-World War II experiences of the 20th century, the Maltese established themselves in the city of Detroit, and thrived due to a strong work ethic and Catholic faith, while maintaining a strong central identity. This volume is a tribute to the Maltese of Michigan and all who have begun anew in an unfamiliar land and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781611860191
Publisher:	Michigan State University Press
Publication date:	09/13/2011
Series:	Discovering the Peoples of Michigan Series
Pages:	100
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Joseph M. Lubig is a former middle school social studies teacher who now works as a teacher-educator at Northern Michigan University. He has been recognized by state, national, and international organizations in the areas of civic education and literacy.

Read an Excerpt

Maltese in Michigan

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By Joseph M. Lubig

Michigan State University Press

Copyright © 2011 Joseph M. Lubig
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-61186-019-1

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Chapter One

A Short History of Malta

Geography

Homer called Malta the "navel of the sea." This island nation is comprised of five islands lying at midpoint between Europe and Africa off the southern shore of Sicily. Of the five, Malta, Gozo, and Comino (Kemmuna) comprise the area inhabited by the Maltese. It is one of the most densely populated countries. The island group covers approximately 316 square kilometers, equivalent to twice the size of Washington, D.C. Malta's location and natural harbors have made it a sought-after strategic location from the time of the Ottoman Empire through modern day. The name Malta itself is said to come from a Phoenician word meaning "shelter."

Malta is located approximately sixty miles from Sicily. The country is seventeen miles long and nine miles wide. The country boasts no rivers or lakes. The lack of water features combined with the rocky conditions of the island makes agricultural endeavors a bit difficult, but crops of barley, wheat, grapes, potatoes, and cut flowers can be found growing on the islands.

As a result of the country's small size, the population density is high, making it one of the top ten countries in the world in this category and the highest in the European Union, with just under 1,300 people per square kilometer.

Malta currently produces about 20 percent of its food needs and has a limited supply of fresh water. It currently obtains half of its fresh water from desalination plants. The economy is dependent upon foreign trade, and Malta boasts tourism as its number one financial resource. The geography of the island itself helped it to serve as the location for the 1980 film Popeye, starring Robin Williams. The movie was filmed on a set built in Anchor Bay, Mellieha, on the island of Malta. The movie built upon the famous spinach-eating cartoon character and was Robin Williams's movie debut. The island set has since become the site of the Popeye Village Fun Park, where tourists can take in live shows and participate in many land and water activities.

History

Perhaps the history of Malta itself had some doing in preparing those who emigrated from the island to assimilate to the various cultures to which they migrated. The Maltese islands have been conquered repeatedly by empires that have imposed their cultural traditions on the Maltese. Originally settled over 8,000 years ago by an unknown group, the islands have been successively occupied and controlled. The strategic location of Malta and its deep sea port in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea between Italy and Libya made Malta an area of needed control by such powers as the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians, the Romans, the North African Arabs, the Sicilians, various powers in the Middle Ages, the Knights of St. John, the French under Napoleon, and finally the British Empire. Ethnic assimilation became a necessary means of survival, and the history of the islands seems to have been rehearsal for emigration to other countries.

It is a known fact that Malta was inhabited during the Stone Age. The temples on Malta are older than the Egyptian pyramids, dating back over 5,000 years. British archaeologist Colin Renfrew states that "according to the radiocarbon chronology, the temples are the earliest free-standing monuments of stone in the world." Renfrew believes the temples were built around 3000 B.C. As a point of reference, the Great Pyramid in Egypt is dated between 2600 and 2400 B.C.

Malta was once under the control of the Phoenicians and the Romans but might be best remembered during this time period for the shipwreck of Saint Paul in A.D. 60, as described in the Acts of the Apostles 27 and 28. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Malta fell under Byzantine rule until it was occupied by the Arabs in 870. The Arabs brought with them new farming and irrigation techniques that allowed the growth of citrus and cotton on the island. The Arabs also introduced the construction of small rubble walls to stave off erosion of the soil.

During the span of the eleventh to the fourteenth centuries Malta changed hands continually. Rulers during this period include Count Roger the Norman and Roger II, with Malta actually becoming part of the Spanish Empire in 1479, in which it was run as a feudal state.

Malta provided a backstop for Turkish invasion of Rome. The strategic location of Malta helped Charles V and Rome to keep Europe Catholic. Fearing his overthrow, Charles V put Malta in the hands of the Knights of St. John, who were expelled from Rhodes by the Turks in 1522. The payment for Malta to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and king of Spain, was one falcon due each year on All Saints' Day.

To be a knight one had to be of noble birth. The Knights of Malta ruled in the spirit of this nobility for more than 250 years until Napoleon took Malta away from them and many of its treasures. While in control of the island the Knights of Malta built an island fortress that withstood the assault of 30,000 soldiers under the control of the Ottoman Süleyman the Magnificent. When the knights were not at war, they were actively building the city of Valletta in the likeness of the great cities of the world.

After Napoleon's brief period of control, the Maltese petitioned to come under British sovereignty. In 1814 Malta officially became recognized under British rule and maintained this status until after World War II. During the war Malta asserted itself once again as a strategic asset, serving as the military and naval stronghold for the British. The number of bombings from the Axis powers that occurred on Malta during the war was second only to those on Corregidor in the Philippines. President Roosevelt called Malta the "one tiny bright flame in the darkness." King George VI awarded the people of Malta the King George Cross on April 15, 1942, declaring: "To honour her brave people I award the George Cross to the Island Fortress of Malta, to bear witness to a heroism and a devotion that will long be famous in history." The Maltese were the first group in the British Commonwealth to receive this award, usually reserved for individuals, for their bravery during the bombardments.

In response to its loyalty to the Allies during the war, Britain recognized Malta's right to self-govern within the framework of the British Commonwealth in 1947. Malta was recognized as independent from Britain in 1964, with Queen Elizabeth II declared as Queen of Malta. It wasn't until 1974 that Malta became a full republic with the last British troops leaving on March 31, 1979. Malta has been a member of the European Union since 1994.

Perhaps because of its ongoing need to survive the many ruling groups occupying the islands, the Maltese seemed able to overcome barriers existing for other groups coming to the United States: religion, language, and infrequent intermarriage between native populations. Ethnic assimilation and social mobility were already considered desirable by many Maltese prior to moving beyond the borders of their own country.

The Maltese as Early Patriots in America

Maltese in the Colonial Americas

Given the strategic location of Malta in the Mediterranean and the fact that it was tiny and overcrowded, it was natural that Maltese went with the Knights of Malta and other nations to find a new life and opportunity in the Americas. The first governor of New France, Chevalier de Montmagny (1636–1648) was a Knight of Malta and brought associate knights with him. It was at this time that a small Maltese population began to reside in Quebec. Under Montmagny, the Knights provided financial assistance to the first Jesuit missions to the Native Americans.

Between 1651 and 1665 the Knights of Malta developed a small colonial enterprise consisting of a number of islands in the Caribbean. Their outspoken leader, French governor Phillipe de Longvilliers de Poincy, challenged the authority of King Louis XIV and extended their holdings. With the death of Poincy the Knights sold their colonial "empire" to the French West Indies Company. It is possible that during these years Maltese settlers moved to the Caribbean.

In the early eighteenth century, a number of Maltese artillerymen were in rugged Baja California. During a Native American uprising, they distinguished themselves defending the Jesuit missionaries. Viceroy Antonio-Maria de Bucareli (1771–1779) was a Knight of Malta who helped establish Alta California and founded some hospitals in Mexico City in the tradition of the Knights of Malta.

The Knights of Malta trained French nobles who entered the French navy during the prerevolutionary era. As a result, when the French navy came to the assistance of the thirteen colonies fighting for their independence against Great Britain, many of the officers were Knights of Malta, and there were Maltese serving aboard the ships.

Unfortunately, few records are available to tell the complete Maltese story in the colonial Americas, but it is obvious that given their history, location, and island environment, it would be natural for some of the Maltese to emigrate to the Americas during these years.

American Revolutionary War

The U.S. embassy's Malta webpage boasts the name of John Pass, a Maltese immigrant, who, along with John Stow, cast the Liberty Bell along with its inscription, "Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants thereof Lev. XXV X."

The Liberty Bell was made in England in 1751 for the Assembly of the Province of Pennsylvania, to be used in the State House of the City of Philadelphia. Diane Andreassi writes that although "Pass is not a Maltese surname, there is no doubt about his heritage: the speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly referred to him as hailing from Malta. It is likely that his name in Malta was Pace, and he either changed it, or it was misspelled in documents."

A 1990 article in the Maltese International recapped a ceremony commemorating Malta's Twenty-fifth independence Anniversary. This visit occurred during the December 1989 United States / Soviet Union Malta Summit. Here is a segment of the speech given by J. N. Tabone, president of the Maltese Chamber of Commerce:

Malta's links to the United States of America go back practically to the days of your Founding Fathers.

In fact a Maltese craftsman, John Pace, featured in the saga of American Independence, his name being linked with the Liberty Bell that proclaimed American Independence from the Philadelphia State House in 1776.

During the American revolutionary war, Malta was ruled by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the famous Knights of Malta. At that time the order opted for neutrality, but it is known that no less than 1,800 Maltese seamen went to Toulon in France to enlist in the French navy, contributing to the manpower of the French Squadron that was sent to help the American uprising.

The first known diplomatic exchange between Malta and the United States goes back to 1783 when Benjamin Franklin, American Ambassador to France, struck a special medal to commemorate American Independence. He sent a specimen to Grand Master Emanuel de Rohan who ruled Malta as "a homage of gratitude" and requested Grand Master's protection "for such our citizens as circumstances may lead to your ports."

In addition to the contributions of John Pass (Pace), another Maltese was serving the revolution at sea. Joseph Borg is said to have gone to the aid of the Americans at the time of the American Revolution as a sea captain who fought in many battles for American independence.

Coming to America Prior to World War II

Perhaps the social restrictions placed on males due to the dense population of the country combined with the desire for better paying or more consistent work led to the start of the waves of emigration. The first movement out of the country began in 1883, when seventy workers emigrated from Malta to Queensland, Australia. Political complications put this plan and additional ideas of mass emigration to Australia on hold. At the turn of the nineteenth century Maltese migrants were looking at North Africa, with a few making the journey to Australia and the United States, specifically to New Orleans. As early as 1896 there are records of a Maltese in the U.S. Navy fighting in the Spanish-American War who went back to Malta in 1906, returning in the following year to America, most likely because of a significant downturn in construction on the islands.

The early 1920s began the massive immigration of the Maltese to the Detroit area. As an interview with Marion Zampa about her "papa" and "mama" reflects, the Maltese came to the United States to better their own living conditions and those of their children.

Michael Zampa was the oldest of seven children. He was named after his paternal grandfather. His parents were shopkeepers. They worked hard, as did many of the Maltese people to raise their children. Carmela [Michael's mother] was a good cook, and she enjoyed giving her grandchildren treats when they visited. Being the oldest, Mike had a keen sense of responsibility to help his parents in any way possible. He had a carefree and caring personality. He played as hard as he worked, and several stories that he shared with us related many adventurous outings that he would enjoy with his friends and siblings. His sister Juiette died in 1938, leaving a husband and two children behind. Mike and his family helped with the care of the children, but his sister Pawla took most of the responsibility raising them.

Even though Malta was not directly involved in World War I the economy was affected because of the European financial pressures at the time. It would have been around this time period that Mike, at the age of fifteen, was trying to find a way to leave Malta to be able to earn money for his family. He told stories of how his dad worked hard to earn enough money to feed and care for his children. Mike decided to stow away on a merchant ship leaving Malta for America. He hid on the ship with another boy, hoping not to get caught. The crew found them and took them to their dads. He never gave up trying to get to America. He figured that once in the States he could get a job and send money back home to his family. The next attempt to enter the States was successful.

In April 1920, at the age of sixteen, he obtained passage to America with two men from India. They wanted to start a fabric store in New York. They asked Mike if he wanted a job with them, and he got his dad's permission to go and work for them in New York City. When they got to Ellis Island, U.S. Immigration let Mike enter the States, but they sent the two men back to India. He was alone in New York with very little money and no place to stay. He was able to get a job as a bellhop in a hotel, where they gave him a salary and a place to stay. He wanted to be able to send money home to his parents but wasn't making enough for him to live on. He would walk along the streets of New York looking for ways to earn more money, and came across a sign for the United States Marines. When he went in to join up he didn't weigh very much, so they told him to gain some weight and then come back. He returned after gaining a little more weight. The marines recruiter told him he needed his parents' signatures, but Mike told the recruiter he was in the States by himself and lived on his own. On December 15, 1920, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the Marine Corps for two years of duty. He was sent to Quantico, Virginia, for boot camp, then to Cuba. He was stationed there until his tour of duty was over. On December 9, 1922, at the age of nineteen, he was honorably discharged.

During the time after his discharge he worked for the Ford Motor Company. Mike's cousins, Eddy and Paul Camilleri, had immigrated to the States. They both had jobs in Detroit. Paul was an accomplished chef. Mike stayed with them and then returned to Malta a few years later with the hope and dream of returning to the States after a short visit with his family. While in Malta he helped his parents out in their store and enjoyed Malta's social life. Mike and his brother Manuel were very close and did lots of things together. One day the two brothers noticed Stella Bugeja and her sister Netta walking across the street. They introduced themselves, and their romantic history was about to begin. Courtships in Malta are conducted with chaperones, so Netta usually went along whenever Mike wanted to take Stella out. Manuel told Mike that if he didn't propose to Stella, then he would. Mike was in love with Stella and asked for her hand in marriage. He still wanted to return to the States, and on July 16, 1926, he was issued a one-year visitor's visa. Manuel and their friend, Joe Melidon, joined him on this trip to the States. They enjoyed time with eddy and Paul [Camilleri] and were able to find odd jobs at hotels and restaurants. Mike and Manuel returned to Malta on July 16, 1927. Mike stayed in Malta and worked at his parents' store, married Stella in 1929, and in 1930 joined the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institute (NAAFI) which provided services to the British military. He was assigned to the Royal Navy, serving aboard several destroyers as canteen manager because of his experience and job history as a shopkeeper.

(Continues...)

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Table of Contents

Contents

A Short History of Malta....................1
The Maltese as Early Patriots in America....................7
Coming to America Prior to World War II....................11
World War II and Immigration....................19
One Family's Journey....................25
Connections to the Church....................29
The Struggle to Become "American"....................35
Keeping the Maltese Identity....................39
The Measure of Success....................43
St. Paul....................3
The Maltese Falcon....................4
Maltese Cross....................5
Military Leadership in the Twentieth Century....................8
Maltese Religious and National Holidays....................31
Bishop George J. Caruana....................32
Appendix 1. Maltese Food....................47
Appendix 2. A Eulogy for Mary Stella and Michael L. Zampa Delivered by Victor M. Zampa....................55
Appendix 3. Maltese Surnames....................59
Appendix 4. Language....................61
Appendix 5. 2000 Census of Maltese in Michigan....................65
Appendix 6. Reflections on World War II....................1
Appendix 7. Maltese Ethnic and Social Organizations....................79
Notes....................81
For Further Reference....................85
Index....................87