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.
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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 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.
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.
Created1865
DescriptionRecords for the ship Aoon, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Ferran and Dupierris and la Alianza. On this trip, the Aoon brought 104 settlers from China to work. Most were hired by Jose Baró and one was hired by Agustin Terran.
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.
Created1861
DescriptionThis is a contract between Antonio, a Chinese settler, and J. Smith for the term of one year. 1861. Signed in Chinese.
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.
Created1866-06-30
Description
These documents pertain to a Chinese "cult" in Havana that alarmed several government officials who were concerned that not taking any measures to disband the cult and to successfully convert the Chinese settlers to Catholicism could be dangerous for the integrity of the Catholic faith in Cuba, and for Cuban citizens. 1866.
Created1866
DescriptionSummary of an examination into the relationship between Catholicism and the Chinese settlers that had been baptized, labeling it "deplorable" because complete integration had not taken place and that the settlers were still worshiping "idols" due to their isolation in agricultural work. 1866.
Created1862
Description
Documents pertaining to the work of Ferran and Dupierris with their company, La Alianza that seeks to bring Chinese settlers to Cuba for work and colonization.
Created1872
DescriptionEight Chinese settlers completed contracts with Tedeo Morales and were seeking to sign new labor contracts with their owner.