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 136
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Created1867
DescriptionRelates that Federico, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements. He worked for the Gran Azucaria, a sugar cane producer.
Created1868
Description
This is an application for permanent residency for a Chinese settler, Ysidoro, who worked for Dolores Hernan in Cardenas, 1868.
Created1865-06-06
Description
This is a formal rehire request that was written on behalf of Sebastian, a Chinese settler, who had just completed a labor contract and was seeking to sign a new one for the duration of one year. Sebastian sought to sign a new contract to work on the railroads with a railroad company under Maximo Mora. The subsequent documents include a second contract, his baptism certificate, and a formal written request for his carta de domicilio, or permanent residence card, that was signed on June 6, 1866. Other documents included in this selection are testimonies that were written by Sebastian's past owners describing his good conduct and dedication to his work. 1865.
Created1858
Description
Record of a Chinese settler letter for home. Contains: application for a certificate of naturalization of Chinese settlers. Signed in Chinese, chinese settler original contract in spanish Cardenas 1867 signed in chinese, Record of baptism 1866, recommendations of good conduct from the Captaincy of Lagunillas, nature tasting request signed in Chinese, original contract Macao Chinese settler written in Chinese and Spanish in 1858 and signed in Chinese, pledge of allegiance to the Spanish crown Chinese settler
Created1864
DescriptionThis is a neighborhood identity card (cedula) that belonged to Francisco- a Chinese settler, who was 33 years old, and in the process of completing his eight year labor contract as an indentured servant working for a railroad company at the time that the ID card was issued. 1864.
Created1866
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Felix, originally from Soltero. Felix was thirty-one years old when this card was issued. Employed by Carlos Caro and then Pedro Reinaldo.
Created1867-02-04
Description
This is a second work contract that was shared between Yledfonso- a Chinese settler, and his owner D. Fernando Hernandez; the length of the contract was for one year. The document that follows the last page of the contract is a certificate that indicates that Yldefonso completed his first eight year commitment and second one year commitment with D. Fernando Hernandez satisfactorily; this certificate was signed on February 3, 1868. Signed in Chinese.
Created1864-04-06
DescriptionRecords for the ship Vasco de Gama, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with La Alianza and Ferran y Dupierris. On this trip, the Vasco de Gama brought two settlers from China to work for Jose Campos.
Created1864
DescriptionList of 29 Chinese settlers brought to Cuba aboard the ship "David". They were hired to work on the factory San Pablo in 1864 by Alejandro de la Torriente.
Created1864
DescriptionList of 4 Chinese settlers brought to Cuba aboard the ship "David". They were hired to work in the field in 1864 for Antonio de Lordova.