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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DescriptionThis is a series of reports files by the mayor of Guanabacoa concerning the treatment of Chinese settlers in Cuba, including punishment for crimes and the death penalty.
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Created1858
DescriptionList of Chinese settlers who have run away from their owners and were later captured in Guanabacoa in 1858.
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Created1858
DescriptionList of Chinese settlers who had run away from their owners and were captured in Guanabacoa in 1858. Their names, ages, and physical descriptions are listed.
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Created1865
Description

5.Application Documents "Letter Home" (permanent residence on the island of Cuba), 1865. Contains: Identity card of Chinese settlers legalized with a police seal; letter of recommendation from the owner certifying that fulfilled his contract of 8 years; Chinese settlers statements; Government contract (Guanabacoa).

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Created1956-07-16
DescriptionNotice from Dr. Jesus M Gonzalez y Fuente, doctor and lawyer, to Vicente Lee and Manuel Chiang allowing them to open their store, Lee and Chiang in Guanabacoa.
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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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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.
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Created1865-03-31
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.
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Created1864-08-04
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.
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Created1864-05-28
DescriptionRelates that Zaldo Ferran y Dupierris solicited the civil government to create a separate book in parish churches for the marriages of Chinese settlers and blacks or people of mixed race.