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 75
Filtering by
Created1858
DescriptionDetails the causes for Chinese immigration to Cuba and the experiences of the workers when they arrive. Mentions how the government of Cuba is involved in the contracts that bring Chinese settlers to Cuba to work as indentured servants and slaves
Created1899
DescriptionA letter from the Consul General of China in Havana to Chang Yin Jung, the mayor of Matanzas. It details how the Consul General congratulates him on his recent appointment to the position of mayor.
Created1902-08-12
DescriptionA letter from the Emperor of Qing dynasty to the President of Cuba. It details the friendly relationship between the two countries as the Qing's emperor wrote that he hope their diplomatic relations could last forever.
DescriptionLetter from Florence Page to Meloceio Martin Rivero.
Created1925
DescriptionA letter to Minister Antonio Martin Rivero of Cuba from a Mexican dignitary who visited Cuba twice in 1925. Written in English.
Created1937
DescriptionA 1937 letter to Miguel Coyula of the newspaper, El Mundo, who wrote a piece against the Japanese Invasion of China. This letter is from Leonardo Lelyen, President of Revista Fraternidad, an organizational group for Chinese commerce in Cuba.
Created1937
Description
1937 political letter to Comandante Miguel Coyula congratulating him on an article in the newspaper, El Mundo, naming that the union of all Chinese settlers and descendants is in the better interest of the country, Cuba. This letter is from Li Kent, the President of the Cuban Chamber of Chinese Commerce.
Created1885
DescriptionThese letters detail investigations into illegal Chinese lotteries, including how the police should proceed and the names of people who were interviewed in the proceedings.
Created1886
DescriptionProsecution of a group of Chinese settlers for running an illegal lottery. Police Officer Pablo Delgado discovered the lottery and details those involved, including a settler named Damien.