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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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Registry of Chinese Settlers

Created1861
DescriptionList of workers who were recently hired by various employers. It lists the name of the employer or company, the name of the settler and their personal details.
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Imprisonment Document

Created1845
DescriptionThis document grants release to a Chinese settler that had been previously imprisoned.
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Runaway Workers

Created1858
DescriptionList of Chinese settlers who ran away from their owners and were later captured. After capture, they were held in the Municipal Slave Deposit in Santa Maria del Rosario. Their names, ages, and nationality are listed along with the dates of their escape and capture.
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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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Baptism Certificate

Created1855-08-13
DescriptionJan-Acao, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity. He chose the name Cristobal and his godfather was Jose Alonso y Delgado.
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Identity Record

Created1862
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Cristobal. He was originally from Macao.
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Contract

Contributors林, 清 (Contractor)
Created1854-03-06
Description
A contract between, Sim Cheng Cristobal, a Chinese settler, and the agent of Ignacio Fernandez de Castro. The contract was to last for an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Signed by MacKay, the agent, and Cristobal, who signed in…

A contract between, Sim Cheng Cristobal, a Chinese settler, and the agent of Ignacio Fernandez de Castro. The contract was to last for an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Signed by MacKay, the agent, and Cristobal, who signed in Chinese. Also features the contract in Chinese.
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Baptism Certificate

Created1863-10-10
DescriptionCristobal, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity in the city of Havana. He was originally from Canton. In his baptism, Cristobal offered his loyalty to the Cuban government and the church in order to eventually receive permanent residency in Cuba, a legal requirement.