A photo of the Basilica of Our Lady of Safe Haven and St Dominic - Valletta, Malta

Girolamo Bonnici

Girolamo was part of the 19th century migration out of Valletta to the (at the time) calmer village of St Julian’s. He loved Valletta enough to move back later on in life.

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 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 present-day St Julians' Bay - Malta

Paolina Bonnici

Paolina lived to the ripe old age of 95, and outlived her husband by almost 40 years.

She is one of my maternal great-grandmothers

A photo of the Church of our Lady of Divine Grace - Sliema, Malta

Paolo Darmenia

Paolo Darmenia worked with the British Forces at their arsenal in Malta. Valletta-born, he lived in St Julians and Sliema.