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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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Application Documents for Permanent Residence in Cuba

Created1865
DescriptionThis is an application for permanent residency for Pascual, a Chinese settler. It includes the settler's original contract signed in Macao, a letter of recommendation from a previous owner, stating that he had completed an eight year contract, his cedula or identity card, and a certificate of baptism.
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Contract

Created1868
DescriptionA contract between Lucas, a Chinese settler, and Manuel Betacourt. The contract was to last for eight years and lists the legal requirements for both the employee and the employer. Signed by the governor, Manuel Betacourt, and two witnesses.
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Burial Record

Created1872
DescriptionBurial records for an unnamed Chinese settler. Their records indicate they were baptized into the Catholic church and buried in the Cristobal Colon Cemetery of Havana.
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Baptism Certificate

Created1868
DescriptionLucas, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity in the city of Matanzas. In his baptism, he offered his loyalty to the Cuban government and the church in order to eventually receive permanent residency in Cuba, a legal requirement.
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Permanent Residency

Created1868-08-05
DescriptionRelates that Luis Parodi, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1864
DescriptionThese are the records of Jose Dolores, a Chinese settler brought from China to Cuba for work. The documents include handwritten contracts with various owners and recommendation letters, detailing his good behavior as a worker. His certificate of nationality is also included and was accepted by the governor of Cuba.
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Contract

Created1865
Description

A contract between Simon, a Chinese settler, and Miguel. The contract was to last for eight months and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes that Simon completed a contract with the Sugar Refinery del Carmen previously. Signed by Miguel and Suireon.

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Identity Card

Created1865
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Enrique. He was thirty one years old when this card was issued. He had a work contract with Y. S. de Castro and had completed a previous contract with the mining company, Comolidada.
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Contract

Created1866
DescriptionA contract between, Low Li Yang, a Chinese settler, and B. Solares. The contract was to last for an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Signed by B. Solares and Jose A. de Orbeta.
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Contracts

Contributors粱, 日全 (Contractor)
Created1866
DescriptionChinese settler contract signed in Canton in 1866. Written is Castilian and Chinese. Visible defects. The Chinese, Liang Riquan was willing to go to Cuba as a worker. This contract was issued to him and he was requested to follow the instruction.