79725-Thumbnail Image.jpg

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 185
Filtering by

Clear all filters

78714-Thumbnail Image.png

Oath of Allegiance

Created1866
DescriptionThis is an oath of allegiance signed by a Chinese settler in order to become a natural citizen of Cuba. Signed in Chinese.
78723-Thumbnail Image.png

Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1865
DescriptionThese are documents for permanent residency for a Chinese settler, Vieter, originally from Canton in 1865.
78726-Thumbnail Image.png

Application Documents for Naturalization

Created1873
Description
A letter to the Secretary of the Government of Cuba requesting naturalization of a Chinese settler, Leonardo Valdez. He was originally from Canton, but promises to renounce his rights as a citizen of China if he is make a Cuban citizen. Included are records of his past work contracts and…

A letter to the Secretary of the Government of Cuba requesting naturalization of a Chinese settler, Leonardo Valdez. He was originally from Canton, but promises to renounce his rights as a citizen of China if he is make a Cuban citizen. Included are records of his past work contracts and letters of recommendation from past employers.
78947-Thumbnail Image.png

Ship Manifest

Created1873
DescriptionShipping list of Chinese settlers brought to Cuba in the Spanish ship "Juan" in 1873 with 727 settlers from Macao.
78792-Thumbnail Image.png

Contract

Created1865
Description

A contract between Juan, a Chinese settler and Luis Alonso. The contract allowed Luis Alonso to bring Juan from China to Cuba to work. Juan was contracted by an employer upon arrival in Havana; this contract lasted for two years.

78815-Thumbnail Image.png

Shipping Records

Created1865
DescriptionRecords for the ship Encarnacion, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with _____. On this trip, the Encarnacion brought at least 268 settlers from China to work. Eleven of them were hired by Joaquin Marquez at the Trinidad factory.
78821-Thumbnail Image.png

Baptism Certificate

Created1865
Description
Quentin Madan, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity in the Church of Our Lady of the Ascension. Madan was originally from Canton. In his baptism, Madan offered his loyalty to the Cuban government and the church in order to eventually receive permanent residency in Cuba, a legal requirement. His godfather…

Quentin Madan, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity in the Church of Our Lady of the Ascension. Madan was originally from Canton. In his baptism, Madan offered his loyalty to the Cuban government and the church in order to eventually receive permanent residency in Cuba, a legal requirement. His godfather was Cristoval Madan and this form was signed by Manuel Miranda, priest of the Church of Our Lady of the Ascension. 1865.
78822-Thumbnail Image.png

Contract

Created1866
DescriptionA contract between, Low Li Yang, a Chinese settler, and B. Solares. 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 B. Solares and Jose A. de Orbeta.
78825-Thumbnail Image.png

Contracts

Contributors粱, 日全 (Contractor)
Created1866
DescriptionChinese settler contract signed in Canton in 1866. Written is Castilian and Chinese. Visible defects. The Chinese, Liang Riquan was willing to go to Cuba as a worker. This contract was issued to him and he was requested to follow the instruction.
78500-Thumbnail Image.png

Contract

Contributors黃, 昌龍 (Contractor)
Created1866
DescriptionA contract between Vongcheong Lon, a Chinese settler, and R. Solares. The contract was to last for an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Vongcheong Lon was originally from Fayune. Also features contract in Chinese.