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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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Request to Import Chinese Workers

Created1858
Description

Documents to apply for authorization to bring Chinese settlers to Cuba in 1858.

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Rehire Request

Created1868-02-08
Description
Upon the completion of a labor contract with a Cuban landlord, this rehire request was issued for Rufino- a Chinese settler, who wished to enter a new labor contract with Manuel G. Portocarrero for the duration of one year. The request was accepted, and a one year labor contract was…

Upon the completion of a labor contract with a Cuban landlord, this rehire request was issued for Rufino- a Chinese settler, who wished to enter a new labor contract with Manuel G. Portocarrero for the duration of one year. The request was accepted, and a one year labor contract was signed by both men. Havana- 1868. Signed in Chinese.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-09-01
DescriptionRelates that Mariano, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-09-13
DescriptionRelates that Cristobal, a Chinese settler, requested permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Second Contract

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…

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.
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Permanent Residency

Created1868
DescriptionRelates that Leon Padron, a Chinese settler, was applying for permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements. He completed an eight year contract and was baptized into the Catholic Church
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Contract

Created1877-03-15
DescriptionA contract between Leon, a Chinese settler, and Telerforo Sotolonya. The contract was to last for a year and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Noted that Leon completed a contract with Leon Asan previously. Signed by Telerforo Sotolonya and Leon, who signed in Chinese.
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Contract

Created1876-05-14
DescriptionA contract between Leon, a Chinese settler, and Telerforo Sotolonya. The contract was to last for a year and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Noted that Leon completed a contract with Leon Asan previously. Signed by Telerforo Sotolonya and Leon, who signed in Chinese.
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Identity Record

Created1866
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Leon. Leon was thirty two years old when this card was issued.
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Contract Fulfilled

Created1865-06-23
DescriptionCertifies that Serafin, a Chinese settler, completed an eight-year-contract with his employer, the company La Pura y Limpia. He had also completed a previous contract with Vidal Delioguez y Co.