The Identity Malta Agency and the National Archives have come together to publish a set of insightful stories in the form of a limited calendar.

Said calendar shows a 100-year-old passport photo with each new month, together with an explanation as to why the person being photographed was applying for their passport.

This gives some incredible insight into early 20th century life in Malta, when society was still ruled over by the British.

Here are some of the stories you can expect to come across:

• Loreto Cauchi was a sailor from Ghajnsielem who, in 1922, at 26 years of age, was looking for a job in France.
• Everaldo and Josephine Dimech nee Hamilton, who were 30 and 22 years old respectively, had to travel to Tanganyika in Tanzania which, like Malta, was still a British Territory.
• Douglas William Gordon had to go to England because of his heart problems at the tender age of 23 years.
• At the age of 55, Giulia Casolani nee Zammit had plans to travel the world, particularly Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia and Bulgaria.

Ryan Dimech, Head of Human Resources at Identity Malta, noted that whilst today passports are extremely technologically advanced, back then they were just a folded piece of paper.

Quite the glow-up if you ask us!

Dr Charles Farrugia, Director of the National Archives, explained how in the early 20th century most Maltese people would go abroad for medical reasons, to visit family, or to emigrate to a better country. Holidays were still pretty much unheard of back then.

“Every photo speaks a thousand words and narrates countless experiences, that’s why we need to keep them close and dear to us for future generations,” Culture Minister Jose Herrera said.

These calendars will be handed to a limited number of people who apply for a new passport, although it can be acquired online through the Identity Malta website by anyone.

Do you plan on getting one?