The Malta Study Center microfilmed several archival collections at the National Library of Malta between 1989 and 1999. The complete microfilm collection contains over 6,500 archival folders, volumes, and registers with records dating from the 12th century through the early 19th century. The primary microfilm project centered on the Archives of the Order of Malta and its two related collections, Treasury A and Treasury B. The project also microfilmed 33 volumes of the Archives of the Università of Città Notabile. Cataloging the Archives of the Order of Malta is an ongoing project, currently focusing on updating information from old repertoires and HMML's Legacy Catalog. Originals are periodically checked to verify data in the records.

Archives of the Order of Malta

The pre-1798 historical archives of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and its central offices are held in the National Library of Malta. The Archives of the Order of Malta (AOM) contain materials dating from the 12th century through the early 19th century, when the French ended the Hospitaller rule on the island in 1798 and the British took possession of the Island in 1800. The archives contain records of the Order's diplomacy, administration, letters of the Grand Masters, historical genealogies of the knights proving their nobility, papal bulls defending or protecting the Order's privileges, and the internal legal documents of the Order, including statutes, visits (visite), land surveys (cabrei), improvements (miglioramenti), property holdings, spoils (spogli), and information about the Order's naval, religious, and hospitaller duties. Records of the French occupation and early British period are found in the collection.

Series 1, Original Documents. Archives 1-72

Series 1 consists of charters, donations, bulls, and letters addressed to the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. The materials include information about the Order's properties in the Latin East, original charters issued by kings, popes, and masters of the Order, and individual codices that do not form part of the other series in the archives. The series includes important documents such as the original papal bulls conferring privileges on the Order of Saint John and Charles V's grant of Malta and Tripoli to the Order in 1530.

Series 2, Libri conciliorum, 1459-1798. Archives 73-254

Documents recording the activities and meetings of the Council of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Registers include originals (libri conciliorum), minutes (libri minutarium) and copies of proceedings, deliberations, decrees, and judgments concerning admissions, collations of priories (priorati), bailiwicks (baliaggi), and commanderies (commende), dignities and titles, diplomatic correspondence, instructions for ambassadors and members of the Order, passports, and military, administrative and judicial matters. Records also include indexes, repertories, and abstracts of the Council meetings and decisions. Original documents, letters, petitions, memoranda, reports, and contracts related to the meetings are also included.

vHMML (first record) https://www.vhmml.org/readingRoom/view/215064

Series 3, Libri conciliorum status, 1522-1798. Archives 255-279

Documents recording the activities and meetings of the Council of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Registers include originals (libri conciliorum status) and minutes (libri minutarium conciliorum status) of proceedings, deliberations, and decrees concerning political, military, and diplomatic matters and internal administration of the Order and the Maltese archipelago. Records also include one index, original documents, letters, reports, and briefs related to the meetings. Related documents in AOM series 2.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/218136

Series 4, General Chapters of the Order of Saint John, 1330-1776, Archives 280-315

Documents recording the activities and meetings of the General Chapter of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records include originals and copies of proceedings, deliberations, and statutes concerning business and legislation of the Order. Volumes also include summaries of the statutes, rolls, memoranda, and petitions. Related documents in AOM series 1 and series 10.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/218307

Series 5, Libri bullarum, 1346-1798, Archives 316-633

Records pertaining the activity of the Chancery of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Registers include copies or registration (libri bullarum) and minutes (libri minutarium) of magistral and conventual decrees concerning admissions, collations of priories, bailiwicks, and commanderies, dignities and titles, diplomatic correspondence, instructions for ambassadors and members of the Order, passports, and military and administrative matters. Records also include indexes, repertories, chancery formulas, and chancery taxes and fees. Related documents in the AOM Series 17, National Library of Malta (Valletta) manuscript collection, and Cathedral Archives (Mdina).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/214549

Series 6, Treasury, ca. 1600-1800, Archives 634-1125

Documents pertaining to the activity of the Treasury of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records include deliberations and decrees (originals and minutes), chirographs, accounts, expenses, balances, general ledgers, subsidiary ledgers, general journals, donations, responsions, taxes, contracts, pensions, wills, spoils and dispropriamenti, payment orders, salaries, tavole and soldea (maintenance expenses for members). Documents related to the activity of the Congregation of War (Congregazione di Guerra), the Magistral Receipt (Ricetta magistrale), and the Secrecy (Secrezia, Segrezia, or Officium Magisterialis Secretiae) are also included, probably once belonging to different archives. Records include indexes. Series includes individual subseries. Related documents in Treasury A, B, and C collections at the National Library of Malta (Valletta).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/221433

Series 7, Papal Bulls, ca. 1400-1796, Archives 1126-1181

Documents issued by the Pope and addressed to the Grand Master and the members of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, and preserved by the Chancery of the Order. Registers include copies of papal bulls (bullaria) and original papal briefs granted to the Grand Master and to individual knights concerning confirmation of statutes and ordinances, privileges, graces, and dispensations for members of the Order. Records also include indexes. Related documents in the AOM series 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/219112

Series 8, Petitions, 1603-1798, Archives 1182-1199

Records concerning petitions (suppliche) and requests addressed to the Grand Masters of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records include rescripts (rescritti) and reports of the jurats of Malta (Giurati), of members, and officials of the Order of Saint John. Volumes include documents related to and in support of petitions. Alphabetical repertory of the volumes is also included.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/215046

Series 9, Correspondence, ca. 1586-1798, Archives 1200-1648

Correspondence of the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem with ambassadors, priors (priori) and other members of the Order in Europe, European sovereigns, and the papacy. Records include correspondence between the procurators of the Treasury (procuratori del Tesoro) of the Order and the Order's receivers (ricevitori) in Europe, which once belonged to the archive of the Treasury. Related documents also in AOM series 1 and 6 at the National Library of Malta (Valletta).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/220709

Series 10, Statutes and Ordinances, ca. 1300-ca. 1800, Archives 1649-1712

Documents recording statutes, ordinances (ordinationes), rules, and regulations issued by the General Chapter of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records also include privileges granted by popes and sovereigns, treaties, summaries, notes, comments, and controversies related to statutes, dignities, privileges, and magistral election. Volumes also contain instructions for commissioners, rolls, and lists of dignities. Related documents in AOM series 1, 2, 3, 4, and in the manuscript and printed collections of the National Library of Malta (Valletta).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/221251

Series 11, The Hospital, 1590-1798, Archives 1713-1758

Records pertaining to the activities and administration of the Hospital or Holy Infirmary (Sacra Infermeria) of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records include rules, statutes, accounts, wills, indexes, and lists of personnel. Volumes include printed and manuscript material.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/212756

Series 12, The Navy, ca. 1500-1798, Archives 1759-1934a

Records pertaining the Congregation of the Galleys (Congregazione delle Galere) and the Congregation of the Vessels (Congregazione delle Navi) of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records include deliberations, statutes, rules, reports, instructions, accounts, expenses, lists, and rolls of knights and crew.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/212802

Series 13, The Conventual Church, ca. 1300 -1813, Archives 1935-2084b

Records pertaining to the activity of the Conventual Church of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records include deliberations, decrees, bulls, death records, trials and controversies, liturgical and ceremonial records, privileges, benefices, regulations, inventories, accounts, legacies (legati), visitations, letters patent, petitions, and reports. Volumes also concern the Bull of the Crusade (Bolla della Crociata) and the printing press of the Grand Master. Documents related to churches, congregations, confraternities, and monasteries of the Order in Malta and Europe are also included. Series includes individual subseries. Related documents in the Archivum Venerandae Assembleae (AVA) fond at the Cathedral Archives (Mdina), in Treasury A and B collections at the National Library of Malta (Valletta), and in the Officium Bullae Sanctissimae Crociatae (OBC) fond at the National Archives of Malta (Mdina section).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/220318

Series 14, Deliberations of the Langues, ca. 1300-ca. 1800, Archives 2085-2240

Records pertaining to the activities and administration of the Langue of Aragón, Catalunya, and Navarra, the Langue of Auvergne, the Langue of Castille, León, and Portugal, the Langue of England, the Langue of France, the Langue of Germany, the Langue of Italy, and the Langue of Provence of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and the related decision-making bodies. Records include deliberations, correspondence, accounts, rolls, lists, indexes, repertories, acts, accounts, legal documents, trial proceedings, and reports. Series includes individual subseries.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/221953

Series 15, Proofs of admission, ca. 1500-1800, Archives 2241-5258

Records of the admission procedure for membership to the Langues and related priories in the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records include genealogical trees, family and church records, notarial records, correspondence, and legal documents from the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Series includes individual subseries.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/209993

Series 16, General visits, land surveys, and improvements of the Langues, ca. 1400-1800, Archives 5278-6382

Records pertaining to the activities and administration of the Langues of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem related to the foundation, estimation, measurement, and survey procedures of territories, properties, and goods located in the priories, the bailiwicks, and the commanderies of the Order in Europe. Records include lists of properties, drawings, maps, notarial records, and legal documents from the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and the local institutions involved. Series includes individual subseries.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/235844

Series 17, Miscellanea, ca. 1400-1900, Archives 6383-6576

Miscellaneous records pertaining to the activities and administration of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and its decision-making bodies, the Congregation of War, the Jesuit College, Maltese churches, the Health Commissioners (Guardiani di Sanità), and the French and the British governments in Malta. Records include legal documents, petitions, reports, lists, spoils, dispropriamenti, correspondence, rolls, treatises, account books, repertories, deliberations, historical works, and indexes. Series includes individual subseries. Documents once belonged to different offices and archives. Related documents in the Miscellanea fond at Cathedral Archives (Mdina), in the other AOM series, and in the Treasury A and B collections at the National Library of Malta (Valletta), and at the National Archives of Malta (Rabat and Mdina sections).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/236644

Treasury A

Miscellaneous collection of documents pertaining to the activity of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, its members and decision-making bodies. Records also concern the Jesuit College, the Monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene, and the Universitates of Mdina and Valletta. Collection includes series and subseries.

Series 1, Archives of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, ca. 1500-ca. 1900, Treasury A 1-151

Miscellaneous records pertaining to the activities of the Treasury (Tesoro or Comun Tesoro), the Assembly of the Conventual Chaplains (Assemblea dei Cappellani Conventuali), the Congregation of War (Congregazione di Guerra), the Secrecy, the Foundations (fondazioni) Cotoner, de Paule, Fiteni, Lascaris, Lomellina, Manoel, Marradas, Marulli, Nibbia, Passalacqua, Perellos, Scappi, Wignacourt, and other foundations of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Records of the Jesuit College, the Monastery of Saint Mary Magdalene, and the Chapel of Our Lady of Philermos are also included. Series includes individual subseries. Related documents at the Cathedral Archives (Mdina), the National Archives of Malta (Mdina section), the AOM and Treasury B collection at the National Library of Malta (Valletta).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/235651

Series 2, Archives of the Università of Mdina and Università of Valletta, Vittoriosa, and Senglea, ca. 1500-1900, Treasury A 152-188

Miscellaneous records pertaining to the activities of the Università of Mdina (Università della Notabile), the Università of Valletta, Vittoriosa (Birgu), and Senglea in Malta, the Hospital of Santo Spirito in Rabat, and the administration of the cumoli or cumuli di carità, pious bequests and foundations. Records include account books, inventories, and other legal documents. Series includes individual subseries. Related documents in the Archives of the Università at the National Library of Malta (Valletta) and in Mandati Diversi della Chiesa Cattedrale di Malta e dell'Università di Malta series at Cathedral Archives (Mdina).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/235793

Treasury B

Documents mostly pertaining to the activity of the Administration of Public Property (Amministrazione dei beni pubblici) of the British government in Malta. Registers and volumes include correspondence, decrees, deliberations, petitions, account books, reports, and other legal documents. Land surveys of foundations, Secrecy, Assembly of the Conventual Chaplains, Jesuit College, Saint Paul's Grotto, women's hospital (casetta delle incurabili), Monte della redenzione degli schiavi, and Magistry (Magistero) of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem are also included. 13 volumes are missing. Related documents in AOM series 6, and Treasury A and C collections at the National Library of Malta (Valletta), the Amministrazione dei Beni Pubblici (ABP), Officium Syndicatus Congregationis Munium et Belli (OMB), and Officium Magistralis Secretiae (OMS) fonds at the National Archives of Malta (Mdina section), and the Archivum Venerandae Assembleae (AVA) fond at the Cathedral Archives (Mdina).

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/222813

Archives of the Università of Città Notabile

The Malta Study Center microfilmed 33 volumes from two series of the Archives of the Università of Città Notabile (Mdina). Records contain the municipal privileges, customs, minutes, accounts, charters, and concessions granted to the town council (Consiglio popolare) of Mdina, mostly covering the years 1450 to the Università's suppression in 1818. Records contain information about the maintenance of fortifications, the issuing of licences to businesses and tradesmen, the importation and sale of wheat, transfers of immovable property, taxes for wine (called diritto di scisa, later granted to the Secrecy in exchange of remuneration), meat (diritto di manderano), wheat, bread (bollo sul pane), and properties in Malta belonging to foreigners. Related documents in Treasury A and B collections and AOM Series 17 at the National Library of Malta (Valletta).

Series 1, Scritture originali, ca. 1300- ca. 1800, Università 1-10

Documents pertaining to the activity of the Università of Mdina (Università della Notabile) and its council in Malta. Records include privileges, legal documents, accounts, reports, correspondence, and deliberations.

vHMML (first record) https://w3id.org/vhmml/readingRoom/view/103783

Series 2, Registri degli Atti dell'Università, 1450-1812, Università 11-43

Documents pertaining to the activity of the Università of Mdina (Università della Notabile), town council (Consiglio popolare), and the jurats (giurati) in Malta. Records include deliberations, legal documents, and accounts.

vHMML (first record) https://www.vhmml.org/readingRoom/view/103796