Anthony Darmenia’s Scholarship

Anthony M. Darmenia (1915 – 1986) was a 20th-century Maltese pharmacist who pioneered the profession in the Maltese islands. He completed part of his education in the UK, thanks to a British Council scholarship.

This article explains all I know about his scholarship, and his time in the UK.

A photo of the Porte de Bombes - Floriana, Malta

Ludcarda Cremona

Ludcarda was born in Floriana before it was a parish in its own right, and moved to Sliema before that was a parish in its own right. She saw Malta evolve and gain new parishes, and towns.

She is one of my maternal great-great-grandmothers.

A photo of present-day St Julians' Bay - Malta

Grazia Balzan

Grazia’s age is a matter of mystery since she married in her 30s, and 2 years later claimed to be in her 20s.

She is one of my maternal great-great-grandmothers.

A photo of St James church - Valletta, Malta

Rosina Grech

With a life spanning half the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th, Rosina was part of upwardly-mobile society that moved from the capital to the quieter town of Sliema.

She is one of my maternal great-great-grandmothers.

A photo of the parish church of Attard

Giuseppa Attard

Giuseppa survived both world wars, first working the land in Qormi and later in the tiny village of Attard.

She is one of my paternal great-grandmothers.

A photo of the parish church of Attard

Maria Borg

Like many early 20th-century Maltese people, Maria was born and lived her whole life within the same village, i.e., the same 7 square kilometers.

She is my paternal grandmother.

A photo of the Valletta skyline - Valletta, Malta

Salvatore Bonnici

Having moved from the hustle and bustle of Valletta, Salvatore saw St Julian’s grow from a summer village to a town in its own right.

He is one of my maternal great-great-grandfathers.

A photo of the church of St Catherine of Italy - Valletta, Malta

Florentina Farrugia Gay

Florentina’s life spanned the end of the 19th century and most of the 20th. Her official documents show the slow change in Maltese life from Italian to British influence.

She is my one of my maternal great-grandmothers.