House of Caruana - Caruana Coat of Arms

The House of 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

Welcome to the Caruana Family Tree.

In this cherished archive of our lineage, we honor the enduring legacy of my maternal grandparents, Carmelo Caruana and Vittoria Mercieca Caruana. They were married on the 31st of July, 1912, at the Parish Church of St. Gajtanu in Ħamrun, Malta.

Rooted in the vibrant town of Ħamrun, my grandmother Vittoria brought her unique heritage, steeped in the rich traditions of our ancestors, to the family. Meanwhile, my grandfather Carmelo, a skilled tin smith, hailed from the bustling village of Qormi, where the echoes of his craftsmanship can still be heard today.

Together, they nurtured a family of eight children within the streets of Qormi, Malta. Their children, John (Ganni), Carmenu, Gregory (Gori), Theresa (my mother), Rosario (Zaru), Antoninu (Tony), Censinu (Vince), and Salvatore (Sam), formed the vibrant branches of our family tree, each adding their unique contributions to our collective history.

As we journey through the annals of our family's past, let us honor the resilience, love, and unity that not only defined the Caruana lineage but continues to bind us together as a family. May their legacy of love and unity inspire us for generations to come.

Caruana Coat of Arms

Caruana is a surname, commonly found in Alexandria, Italy, Sicily, and Malta.

Caruana Family Portrait

Caruana Family Portrait Circa 1929

Front row, from left to right: Antoninu (Tony) Caruana, and Rosario (Zaru) Caruana, sons of Carmelo and Vittoria Caruana.

Middle row, from left to right: Censinu (Vince) Caruana, seated on the lap of our beloved grandmother, Vittoria Caruana. Next to her is Theresa Caruana, my mother, with Carmelo Caruana, our grandfather, holding Salvatore (Sam) Caruana on his lap.

Back row, from left to right: Carmenu Caruana, John (Ganni) Caruana, and Carmenu Caruana, Gregory (Gori) Caruanacompleting the cherished family portrait.

Theresa Caruana's Family Tree

The Caruana Family Tree is a journey through generations of of our families rich heritage and ancestral discovery.

On my mother, Theresa Caruana's paternal side, our lineage traces back three generations, as her father, Carmelo Caruana, descends from Vincenzo Caruana, who was born in Tripoli. Meanwhile, on my mother's paternal grandmother Giovanna Gatt's side, we uncover an impressive lineage spanning twelve generations.

On my mother Theresa Caruana's maternal line, through her mother Vittoria Mercieca's paternal grandmother Nicolina Mercieca, our family roots delve deepest. Here, we embark on an extraordinary journey spanning an astonishing fifty-one generations, tracing our ancestry back to Alberic di Spoleto II, circa 912 AD, the esteemed Father of Ottaviano, dei conti di Tuscolo, also known as Pope John XII. This vast lineage is a testament to the rich history and heritage of our family.

Saint George Church

The parish of St George is one of the 12 parishes mentioned in the rollo of Bishop Senatore de Mello in 1436. The church structure was built three times. The original parish church was demolished and a larger one was built on the same site in the mid-15th century. The church was then reconstructed in a larger form around 1585. The dome was added in 1684 on designs by Lorenzo Gafà. The church was consecrated on May 6, 1731. The church was elevated to the status of Collegiate church on 30 June, 2019. Saint George is where my mother and her sibling were Baptized.