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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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Report

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
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Ship Record of the "Emigrante"

Created1865
Description

Records for the ship Emigrante, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Pedro Reinaldo. On this trip, the Emigrante brought six settlers from China to work for Marino Gillado.

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Letter

Created1868-03-09
DescriptionA letter from the bishop of Havana to the Superior Civil Governor. It details the bishops concerns about the spirituality of Chinese settlers.
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Baptism Certificate

Created1869-06-07
DescriptionCandelaria, a slave, converted to Christianity. She was the slave of Juan Sibario and was the daughter of the Chinese settler, Eustaguia. Her godmother was Merced Sonata Cruz, a creole slave. She was owned by Antonio Agustin Villa.
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Birth Certificate

Created1877-05-10
DescriptionRecord for Candelaria Maria, the child of a Creole, Clara and an unknown father. Her grandmother was Jacoba Loria. Her godfather was Angel Grey Valdes and her godmother was Maria Medina who was a slave of Carlos Dias Arguelles. She was baptized in Cerro.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-10-16
DescriptionRelates that Cayetano Hernandez, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Identity Record

Created1862
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Vicente. He was 38 years old when this card was issued.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-10-16
DescriptionRelates that Cristobal, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Identity Record

Created1863
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Narciso. He was 33 years old when this card was issued.
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Marriage Report

Created1865-05-11
Description
Relates that the civil government regulated the ability of Chinese settlers to marry. If they possessed a cedula, or identity record (meaning they were legally employed in Cuba, but had not yet become a permanent resident), they needed permission to marry anyone who was considered to be of a different…

Relates that the civil government regulated the ability of Chinese settlers to marry. If they possessed a cedula, or identity record (meaning they were legally employed in Cuba, but had not yet become a permanent resident), they needed permission to marry anyone who was considered to be of a different race. Chinese settlers could only marry other Chinese settlers without permission.