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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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Cedula

Created1864
Description

The cedula or an identity record for a Chinese settler, Francisco. He was brought from Soltero, China to Cuba to work for M. B. Pereda for eight years. Then, his contract was transferred to R. A. Leull for an additional eight years. 1864.

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Cedula

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.
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Second Contract

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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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.
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Contract

Created1861
DescriptionThis is a contract between Antonio, a Chinese settler, and J. Smith for the term of one year. 1861. Signed in Chinese.
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Contract

Created1866
DescriptionContract between Antonio, a Chinese settler, and Petrona Hernandes for six months in the countryside. The contract is signed by Petrona Hernandes, Antonio, and the governor of Cuba. Antonio signed in Chinese. 1866.
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Contract

Created1868-06-28
DescriptionThis is a second labor contract that was shared between Francisco- a Chinese settler, and a Cuban landlord named D. Pedro L. Garcia; the contract term, as specified within the contract, was for one year. 1968. Signed in Chinese.
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Rehire Request by Tedeo Morales

Created1872
DescriptionEight Chinese settlers completed contracts with Tedeo Morales and were seeking to sign new labor contracts with their owner.
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Death Certificate

Created1874
DescriptionDeath certificate for Antonio, a Chinese immigrant. He died in the Hospital of San Felipe and Santiago.
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Death Record

Created1866
DescriptionDeath certificate for Antonio, a Chinese settler. He was buried in the general cemetery in Havana. The cause of his death is not stated.