Calleja & Caruana Family Tree

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Family Tree Calleja & Caruana

See: Artist Statement - Dedication - Family Tree - House of Calleja - House of Caruana - HMS Glorious - Antonia Galea Mercieca - Special Thanks - The Early Years - Victor B Caruana - Words of My Mother and Father

Wedding Photograph of My Parents, Pacifico and Theresa Calleja, Photographed January 11th, 1942. My Mother wore black because she was mourning the death of her brother Gregory Caruana, who died at sea while serving on the Aircraft Carrier HMS Glorious in World War 2

Aloha, and welcome to the my Family Tree.

I have thought about the root of the soul for many years. It is what keeps us connected to our Ancestors. After all, we are what we were and what we will become. Therefore, we must live and experience life in our Ancestors' memory, keeping in mind that what we do today will also reflect on Future Generations.

Exploring the intricate depths of my family's lineage and ancestry has been a passion of mine since a young age. My ancestors' stories and legacies are not just a part of my history; they are the foundation of who I am today, and preserving their memory is of the utmost importance to me.

My genealogy journey began at the tender age of 9, fueled by a curiosity to unearth the secrets and stories hidden within my lineage. I eagerly sought out my parents, peppering them with questions and eagerly jotting down family names and tales passed down through generations.

Once a week, my mother, Theresa Caruana, a few of my siblings, and I would visit our maternal grandmother, Vittoria Mercieca, at her home in Paola, Malta. My mother and grandmother would share stories about our family ancestors. Sometimes, they would talk about my Uncle Gregory Caruana, who was lost at sea on the HMS Glorious during World War Two. Other times, it would be about my great-great-grandfather Gregorio Mercieca, who was spared while his father and sibling were lost at sea.

While my father Pacifico Calleja's lineage presented its challenges, with the trail being halted by the Mosta Church not granting access to historical documents after five generations, the maternal side of my family tree revealed a rich tapestry of history stretching back centuries.

On my mother, Theresa Caruana's father's side, Carmelo Caruana, I could only go back three generations because his father, Vincenzo Caruana, was born in Tripoli. On my mother's paternal grandmother, Giovanna Gatt's side, we could trace an impressive twelve generations back.

However, the roots ran deepest on my Mother Theresa Caruana's, Mother Vittoria Mercieca's, and Paternal-Grandmother Nicolina Mercieca's side, leading me back an astonishing fifty-one generations to Alberic di Spoleto II, circa 912 AD, the Father of Ottaviano, dei conti di Tuscolo, also known as Pope John XII.

Join me as we journey through time, uncovering our shared heritage's stories, triumphs, and tribulations. Let's honor and celebrate the remarkable lives of those who came before us, ensuring their legacies endure for generations.