Chinese Immigrants in Cuba: Documents From the James and Ana Melikian Collection
The Chinese Immigrants in Cuba collection includes hundreds of original documents, manuscripts and photos covering the migration of 125,000 Chinese who signed up to be cheap labor in Cuba from 1847 until the later 1890s. The archive continues until the 1970s and records the Chinese community in Cuba and is rich with photos. This massive collection, from the archive of James and Ana Melikian Collection, is probably the largest one in private hands concerning Chinese in Cuba. At present, the physical collection contains over 1,341 records and about 8,000-9,000 pages.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 2,462
Created1858-11-27
Description
This group of documents pertain to the disappearance of 14 Chinese settlers and their cedulas, and the search that ensued to locate them and return them to their owners. A claim was made by the owners of the cedulas- D. Antonio and Eduardo Betancourt, on November 27, 1858. Various authority figures in several of the Cuban towns responded to the report and promised to keep an active search, and to remain in constant communication regarding the missing 14 settlers. However, it was later established within the reports that D. Antonio Betancourt had provided fraudulent contracts about the 14 settlers, and he was therefore arrested and held in prison. After appealing for his freedom, D. Antonio Betancourt was released from the prison, el Castillo de la Punta, on February, 15, 1859.
Created1858-02-12
Description
This was a request written on the behalf of Eloy- a Chinese settler, who having just won 1,000 pesos in a lottery was seeking to buy out his eight year contract with D. Joaquin Garcia Anguerica for the 219 pesos needed to do so. The request spurred a lot of conversation between Spanish officials in Cuba about whether or not Eloy's request could legally be granted; there were concerns about his minor status and about some contradictions between articles 27 and 28 of the cedulas, and the seventh clause within the contracts. Ultimately, Eloy's request was not granted.
Created1858-01-13
Description
Seeking to procure more working hands in agriculture and the industries in Cuba, this request for permission to increase the number of working Chinese settlers in Cuba was written by two business owners in Cuba- Antonio Ramon Hernandez and Enrique Schimper, to the General Captain of Cuba. The business owners sought permission to import up to 10,000 Chinese settlers within six to ten years.
Created1858-01-08
Description
This was a formal request to import more Chinese settlers for labor that was sent to the governor and captain of Cuba. The request was written by Carlos de Laldo, who was the director of a bank and insurance company on the island of Cuba. Carlos stated that quality ships with good hygienic standards, and a crew that could provide adequate care to the settlers were needed to improve the established system of importing Chinese settlers. He also specified that ships designed for efficiency and speed should be selected for transporting the settlers to Cuba. Finally, he requested permission for his company to import up to 15,000 Chinese settlers. 1858.
Created1857-05-12
Description
This was a request written to the Queen of Spain on the behalf of Spanish traders, merchants, and landowners in Cuba, who were seeking permission to import up to 20,000 Chinese settlers into Cuba to work for the established Cuban businesses. The merchants felt that in order for their businesses to grow and prosper that more working hands were needed, and that looking towards China for more workers was the easiest and most convenient manner of achieving their goals. 1857.
Created1863
DescriptionThis is a document listing a group of Chinese settlers rehired for public works projects. 1863.
DescriptionThis document describe the hiring Chinese settlers for public projects. Not dated.
DescriptionThis is a document hiring Chinese settlers for public work projects. Not dated.
Created1867
DescriptionRecords for the ship Delangle, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Delangle brought 275 settlers from China to work. The ship was captained by Dupert.
Created1861
DescriptionRecords for the ship Delangle, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with La Alianza. On this trip, the Delangle brought 275 settlers from China to work.