Person Page - 22

     William Paul Abela was born on 26 July 1973 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.^1,2 He married Marsha Yvette (?)¹
     William Paul Abela and Marsha Yvette (?) were living in 2022 in Meridian, ID, USA.

     Marsha Yvette (?) was born circa 1975. She married William Paul Abela, son of William Philip Abela and Caroline Yvonne Romero.¹
     Her married name was Abela.¹ Marsha Yvette (?) and William Paul Abela were living in 2022 in Meridian, ID, USA.

     David Manuel Abela was born circa 1993.¹
     He was living in 2022 in Goldendale, WA, USA.

     Cameron Daniel Abela was born in February 2003.¹

     Julie D. Reimann was born on 22 March 1959 in San Mateo Co., CA, USA. She married Phillip Abela, son of Manuel Abela and Jane Casingena, on 23 June 1984 at San Mateo Co., CA, USA.¹
     Her married name was Abela.¹

     Jessica Abela was born in 1987.¹

     Nick Abela was born in 1989.¹

     Grace Christine Abela was born on 15 July 1994 in El Dorado, CA, USA.¹

     Mary Geraldine Abela was born on 21 September 1960 in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; 25 Sep 1961 also.^1,2 She married Roland Couture.¹
     Her married name was Couture.¹ Mary Geraldine Abela was living in 2016.

     Roland Couture married Mary Geraldine Abela, daughter of Manuel Abela and Jane Casingena.¹

     J. Camilleri was born circa 1825 in Malta; age 35 in 1860 census.¹
     First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA One of the first 3 Maltese in San Francisco; immigration before 1860 census in 1825. J. Camilleri was listed in the 1860 US Census age 35, laborer at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     John A. Zammit was born circa 1825 in Malta; age 35 in 1860 census.¹
     He was listed in the 1860 US Census age 35, poultry dealer at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA One of the first 3 Maltese in San Francisco; 1860 census in 1860.

     Mark Caruana, 2020: I have a hypothesis, or a gut feeling, that the first Maltese to America went to New Orleans first. There were two boats with Maltese that left Malta in 1838 and 1840 that went to Guyana and Grenada in the West Indies, in a failed migration experiment to work as plantation workers. They soon discovered they were underpaid and treated at the same level as slaves. After a year or two, they saved enough money to leave and they chose not to return to Malta but moved to America. They could have also gone to SF. In New Orleans, they worked as fruit peddlars. Some could have gone to SF as crew members on merchant ships and then jumped ship. This is harder to confirm. John Pace was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA One of first Maltese in USA; born pre 1752: cast the Liberty Bell in 1776. Giovanni Agius was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born 1792; in Oakland by 1855 in 1792. Catherina Carmel was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born 1805; in 1880 census in 1805. Joseph J. Zammit was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1822 on Malta; son born in NY in 1852 in 1822. J. Camilleri was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA One of the first 3 Maltese in San Francisco; immigration before 1860 census in 1825. John Sammut was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1828 on Malta; in 1880 census in 1828. Salvo E. Brincat was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA Immigrant in 1853 in 1834. Michael Cassar was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1836 on Malta; served in Civil War in 1836. August Gatt was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA Immigrated to US in 1845 in 1845 at Sutter, CA, USA. Tony Santo was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1850 on Malta; immigration 1870 in 1850. Saverina Sonoria was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1852 on Malta in 1852. John A. Zammit was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA One of the first 3 Maltese in San Francisco; 1860 census in 1860. Father Vincent A. Testa S.J. was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1863 in 1863. Joseph S. Zammit was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA Buried in Colma in 1866 in 1866. James Gaffino was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1812; seaman in 1870. Paul Pauzanvechia was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA In 1870 census in 1870. Raphael Schembri Bugeia was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born 1847 in 1877. Michael Portelli was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1879 in 1879. Peter Cassar was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1830 in 1880. Joseph Manuel was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1840 in 1880. Joseph Minjo was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1840 in 1880. Savarino Sonario was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1852 in 1880. Joseph Vonich was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1841 in 1880. Lawrence Cassano was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1851 in 1881. Julian Portelli was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1842 in 1883. Giovanni Buhagiar was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1883 in 1883. Gaeteno Vella was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA Immigration in 1885. One of the first Maltese immigrants to San Francisco and one of three men that helped process all other Maltese immigrants to the City. in 1885. Constance Borg was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1885 in 1885. Mike Muscat was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1893 in 1893. John Qumer was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1894 in 1894. Frank Zammit was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1904 in 1904. Carmelo Felice was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1905 in 1905. Angelo Galea was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1907 in 1907. Bartolomeo Vassallo was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration 1907; first to New Orleans on 17 October 1907 at New York, NY, USA. John Deguara was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigrated in 1908 in 1908. Carmelo Deguara was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1910 in 1910. Samuel Bajada was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA immigration in 1913 in 1913. Saverio Nicola Antonio Bajada was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA He was traveling with his son Carmelo BAJADA b. 28 AUG 1896 who passed the immigration physical and was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA in 1914. When Saverio was rejected for immigration, he went to Argentina where he leased land for farming for two years. His farming was unsuccessful and he then immigrated in 1917 to San Francisco, CA, USA. in 1917 at San Francisco, CA, USA. Research:
1860 US Census has 3 Maltese living in San Francisco, CA;
1870 US census has 2 Maltese living in San Francisco, CA;
1880 US census has 16 (7 Maltese surname) Maltese living in San Francisco CA;
1900 US census has 11 Maltese living in San Francisco, CA;
1910 US census has 21 Maltese;
1920 census has 345 Maltese (story that Fr. Theopilus brought 200 Maltese to Bay Area);
1930 census has 590 Maltese;
1940 US census has 640 Maltese living in San Francisco, CA.


The first immigrants from #Malta to the #UnitedStates arrived in this country during the mid-eighteenth century to 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 #NewOrleans, 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, and San Francisco, 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. This program led to increased emigration by the people of the island and made up approximately 8,000 #Maltese who arrived to the United States between the years 1947 and 1977.

Also during this century, the island's government also promoted the Maltese emigration because the island was overpopulated. A Maltese community thrives in #SanPedro and #LongBeach.

[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltese_American.
Research.

     James Gaffino was born circa 1812 in Malta; age 58 in 1870 census.¹
     He emigrated from Malta in 1870 to San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA. He was listed in the 1870 US census age 58, seaman at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1812; seaman in 1870.

     Paul Pauzanvechia was born circa 1815 in Malta; age 55 in 1870 census; age 66 in 1880 census.¹
     He was listed in the 1870 US census age 55, huckster at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA In 1870 census in 1870. Paul Pauzanvechia was listed in the 1880 US Census age 66, printer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.² As of 1880, Paul Pauzanvechia was also known as Paul Pauzarichia.² Research: Pauzavecchia, Paul: found him in the bills of health going to New Orleans together with another person, a Mercieca. Penzavecchi's name on the bill of health is Liborio (an unusual name and hard for Americans to pronounce), so he may have changed it to Paul). Paul Pauzanvechia was also known as Liborio Pauzanvechia.

     Salvo E. Brincat was born in December 1834 in Malta; age 40 in 1880 census.^1,2 He married Joanna (?)¹ Salvo E. Brincat died on 14 December 1905 at San Francisco, CA, USA. He was buried on 16 December 1905 at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA Immigrant in 1853 in 1834. Salvo E. Brincat emigrated from Malta in 1853.¹ As of 1870, Salvo E. Brincat was also known as John Brinkheart. He and Joanna (?) were listed in the 1870 US census John Brinkheart, 35, produce merchant at San Francisco, CA, USA. Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) were listed in the 1880 US Census age 40, poultry dealer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ As of 1900, Salvo E. Brincat was also known as Salvo Boincat.² He and Joanna (?) were listed in the 1900 US Census age 65, poultry dealer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.²
Obituary: on 15 December 1905: Brincatt—ln this city, December 14, Salvo B. Brincatt, dearly beloved husband of Joanna Brincatt, and devoted father of Kittie and John Brincatt, a native of Valetta, Island of Malta, aged 60 years.

     Joanna (?) was born in March 1842 in Ireland; age 40 in 1880 census.^1,2 She married Salvo E. Brincat.¹ Joanna (?) died on 21 January 1913 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 70. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     Her married name was Brincat.¹ She emigrated from Malta in 1853.¹ She and Salvo E. Brincat were listed in the 1870 US census John Brinkheart, 35, produce merchant at San Francisco, CA, USA. Joanna (?) and Salvo E. Brincat were listed in the 1880 US Census age 40, poultry dealer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ Joanna (?) and Salvo E. Brincat were listed in the 1900 US Census age 65, poultry dealer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.²

     Mary Brincat was born circa 1866 in CA, USA; age 14 in 1880 census.¹
     She was listed in the census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1870 at San Francisco, CA, USA; John Brinkheart, 35, produce merchant. Mary Brincat was listed in the census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1880 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 40, poultry dealer.¹

     Cornelia Brincat was born in October 1868 in CA, USA; age 13 in 1880 census.¹
     She was listed in the census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1870 at San Francisco, CA, USA; John Brinkheart, 35, produce merchant. Cornelia Brincat was listed in the census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1880 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 40, poultry dealer.² Cornelia Brincat was listed in the 1900 census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1900 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 65, poultry dealer.¹ As of 1900, Cornelia Brincat was also known as Kathy.¹

     John J. Brincat was born circa 1870 in CA, USA; age 10 in 1880 census.¹ He married Mary A. Leonard. John J. Brincat died on 26 December 1926 at San Francisco Co., CA, USA. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Colma, San Mateo Co., CA, USA.
     He was listed in the census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1870 at San Francisco, CA, USA; John Brinkheart, 35, produce merchant. John J. Brincat was listed in the census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1880 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 40, poultry dealer.¹

     Thomas Brincat was born circa 1875 in CA, USA; age 5 in 1880 census.¹
     He was listed in the census of Salvo E. Brincat and Joanna (?) in 1880 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 40, poultry dealer.¹

     Catherina Carmel was born circa 1805 in Malta; age 75 in 1880 census; in 1880 census.¹
     First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born 1805; in 1880 census in 1805. Catherina Carmel was listed in the 1880 US Census age 75, nurse, boarder in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹
Catherina Carmel both parents born in Malta.

     Peter Cassar was born circa 1830 in Malta; age 50 in 1880 census.¹
     He was listed in the 1880 US Census age 50, laborer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ As of 1880, Peter Cassar was also known as Peter Kassur.¹ First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1830 in 1880.

     Joseph Manuel was born circa 1840 in Malta; age 40 in 1880 census.¹
     He was listed in the 1880 US Census age 40, poultry dealer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹ First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1840 in 1880.

     Joseph Minjo was born circa 1840 in Malta; age 40 in 1880 census.¹ He married Margaret (?)¹
     First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA born in 1840 in 1880. Joseph Minjo and Margaret (?) were listed in the 1880 US Census age 40, poultry dealer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Margaret (?) was born circa 1855 in Malta; age 25 in 1880 census.¹ She married Joseph Minjo.¹
     Her married name was Minjo.¹ Margaret (?) and Joseph Minjo were listed in the 1880 US Census age 40, poultry dealer in San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA.¹

     Alonzo Minjo was born circa 1875 in CA, USA; age 5 in 1880 census.¹
     He was listed in the census of Joseph Minjo and Margaret (?) in 1880 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 40, poultry dealer.¹

     George Minjo was born circa 1876 in CA, USA; age 4 in 1880 census.¹
     He was listed in the census of Joseph Minjo and Margaret (?) in 1880 at San Francisco, San Francisco Co., CA, USA; age 40, poultry dealer.¹