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.

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78705-Thumbnail Image.png
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.
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Created1864-03-10
Description

A contract between Lan Tazar, a Chinese settler, and Ricardo Ferrero. The contract was to last for six months and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes that Lan Tazar completed a contract with another owner previously. Signed by the governor of Matanzas, Ricardo Ferrero, and

A contract between Lan Tazar, a Chinese settler, and Ricardo Ferrero. The contract was to last for six months and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes that Lan Tazar completed a contract with another owner previously. Signed by the governor of Matanzas, Ricardo Ferrero, and Lan Tazar, who signed in Chinese.

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Description
This is a second work contract that was shared between Antonio- a Chinese settler, and his owner, D. Martin de Cardenas y Layas. Prior to entering this agreement, Antonio was being held in the municipal deposit of the capital; according to the fourth and fifth articles in the contract, and

This is a second work contract that was shared between Antonio- a Chinese settler, and his owner, D. Martin de Cardenas y Layas. Prior to entering this agreement, Antonio was being held in the municipal deposit of the capital; according to the fourth and fifth articles in the contract, and it is possible that he was required to enter this contract as a punishment for past transgressions against his owner. The length of this contract was for six months. Signed in Chinese.
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Created1864-03-30
Description

A contract between Le Chan, a Chinese settler, and Domingo. The contract was to last an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes that Le Chan had completed a contract with Domingo previously. Signed by Domingo, the governor of Matanzas, and

A contract between Le Chan, a Chinese settler, and Domingo. The contract was to last an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes that Le Chan had completed a contract with Domingo previously. Signed by Domingo, the governor of Matanzas, and two witnesses.

78935-Thumbnail Image.png
Description
Dossier formed to enter the island of Cuba in a shipment of Chinese settlers in the French ship “Eugene & Adele”. General information to the Captain of the island that has hired a French ship to bring Cuba Chinese settlers: boarding list of the 466 Chinese settlers in Macao;

Dossier formed to enter the island of Cuba in a shipment of Chinese settlers in the French ship “Eugene & Adele”. General information to the Captain of the island that has hired a French ship to bring Cuba Chinese settlers: boarding list of the 466 Chinese settlers in Macao; some official communications on the subject; list of the 466 boarding Chinese settlers received in Havana; superior civil government documents on the authorization of the shipment; investigation into the death of 43 Chinese settlers on the trip to Cuba; list of the dead with their data, latitude and longitude; research (appointment of scribe, translator, questions and answers from the captain; questions and answers from the pilot; questions and answers of several sailors; questions and answers of the translator; questions and answers from the Chinese translator; questions and answers from the ship’s doctor; questions and answers of some Chinese settlers.)
78936-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1866
Description
Permission granted to bring a shipment of Chinese settlers in the French ship “St Croix” to Cuba. The General Captain of Cuba has hired a French ship to bring Cuba Chinese settlers: some official communications on the subject; superior civil government documents on the authorization of the shipment; document the

Permission granted to bring a shipment of Chinese settlers in the French ship “St Croix” to Cuba. The General Captain of Cuba has hired a French ship to bring Cuba Chinese settlers: some official communications on the subject; superior civil government documents on the authorization of the shipment; document the Spanish consulate in Macao on cargo; boarding list of the 444 Chinese settlers in Macao; different paper work documents the entry of Chinese settlers
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Created1861
Description

A contract between Ricardo, a Chinese settler, and Ramon Vila y Terrer. The contract was to last for six months and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes that Ricardo completed a contract with Ramon Vila y Terrer previously. Signed by Ramon Vila y Terrer and

A contract between Ricardo, a Chinese settler, and Ramon Vila y Terrer. The contract was to last for six months and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes that Ricardo completed a contract with Ramon Vila y Terrer previously. Signed by Ramon Vila y Terrer and Ricardo, who signed in Chinese.

78472-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1868-07-30
DescriptionThis is the first labor contract that belonged to a Chinese settler named Benigno, and his owner, Ramon Felipe. Benigno was brought from Soltero to Cuba to work as an indentured servant. The term of the contract was for one year. 1868. Signed in Chinese.
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Created1867-01-27
DescriptionThis is a second work contract that was shared between a Chinese settler named Figaro, and a Cuban landlord, Carlos Aomingues; the term of the contract was for six months. 1867. Signed in Chinese.
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Created1866-05-20
Description
This is a second labor contract that was shared between Jose, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Luis de Alda. He was brought to Cuba to serve as an indentured servants and the term of the contract was for six months. Details regarding Jose's wage, food, clothes, and work hours

This is a second labor contract that was shared between Jose, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Luis de Alda. He was brought to Cuba to serve as an indentured servants and the term of the contract was for six months. Details regarding Jose's wage, food, clothes, and work hours were stipulated in the document. 1866. Signed in Chinese.