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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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Shipping Record

Created1861-04-22
DescriptionRecords for the ship Maria Clotilde, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Troncaso Bustamante and Company. On this trip, the Maria Clotilde brought 256 settlers from China to work. They were hired to be domestic servants.
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Application Documents for Naturalization

Created1872-03-18
Description
These compiled records formed the application for a Cuban naturalization card that belonged to a Chinese settler named Ricardo Bernabal. The formal request for his naturalization card was made on March 18, 1872, at which time Ricardo was 26 years old and working as a cook. He was also given…

These compiled records formed the application for a Cuban naturalization card that belonged to a Chinese settler named Ricardo Bernabal. The formal request for his naturalization card was made on March 18, 1872, at which time Ricardo was 26 years old and working as a cook. He was also given a permanent residence card before being naturalized. He was also baptized.
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Death Record

Created1866
DescriptionDocuments pertaining to the Chinese settler, Desiderio from Vaij Chao. Contains: contract written in Spanish and Chinese, signed in Macao on October 23, 1865.
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Contract

Created1867
DescriptionA contract between Lilio, a Chinese settler and R. Calderon and la Alianza. The contract was to last for an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. His contract was then passed to Domenech.
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Contract

Contributors鍾, 大嬌 (Contractor)
Created1867
DescriptionA contract between Chung, a Chinese settler, and R. Calderon, an agent for La Alianza. La Alianza brought Chung from China to Cuba to work. He was to be hired by another employer upon arrival.
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First Contract

Created1872
DescriptionContract of a Chinese settler, born in Nam today, China. Written in Spanish and Chinese.
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Residency Documents

Created1858
Description
Record of a Chinese settler letter for home. Contains: application for a certificate of naturalization of Chinese settlers. Signed in Chinese, chinese settler original contract in spanish Cardenas 1867 signed in chinese, Record of baptism 1866, recommendations of good conduct from the Captaincy of Lagunillas, nature tasting request signed in…

Record of a Chinese settler letter for home. Contains: application for a certificate of naturalization of Chinese settlers. Signed in Chinese, chinese settler original contract in spanish Cardenas 1867 signed in chinese, Record of baptism 1866, recommendations of good conduct from the Captaincy of Lagunillas, nature tasting request signed in Chinese, original contract Macao Chinese settler written in Chinese and Spanish in 1858 and signed in Chinese, pledge of allegiance to the Spanish crown Chinese settler
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Contract

Contributors亞梅 (Contributor)
Created1858-01-18
Description
A contract between Amoy, a Chinese settler, and F Velez. The contract was to last for eight years and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Amoy's labor contract had been transferred between various owners throughout the first year of his term. Amoy did not negotiate…

A contract between Amoy, a Chinese settler, and F Velez. The contract was to last for eight years and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Amoy's labor contract had been transferred between various owners throughout the first year of his term. Amoy did not negotiate or sign the contract as the signature stipulates that someone else signed for him.
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Shipping Record

Created1864-08-23
DescriptionRecords for the ship Alfonso de Albuquerque, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Alfonso de Albuquerque brought two settlers from China to work for Ingenio Rosario.
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Shipping Record

Created1866-06-20
DescriptionRecords for the ship Mina, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with La Alianza. On this trip, the Mina brought settlers from China to work for Jose D. Sanchez Benitez.