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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Created1868
DescriptionPedro, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity. Witnessed by Eugenio Domingues. Other Chinese settlers also were being baptized, including a settler named Ysidoro. 1868.
Created1870
DescriptionMarcos, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity in the city of Matanzas. He was originally from a rural part of China. 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.
Created1861
DescriptionDocument with a list of Chinese settlers who will fulfill his contract Tenure Bejucal Government April 1861. Contracts: List of Chinese Workers about to Complete their Contracts in Bejucal- April 1861
Created1863-10-09
DescriptionRelates that Telesforo Landa, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
Created1863-10-10
DescriptionRelates that Telesforo, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
Created1863-09-09
DescriptionRelates that Vicente Guerra, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
Created1838-01-24
DescriptionRecord for Sebastian, the child of an unknown father and a black slave, Paula. His mother worked for Dolores de la Cruz Nunor. His godmother was Maria de la Luz, who worked for Juana de Aller y Luz. He was baptized in Cerro.
Created1878-05-23
DescriptionRecord for Maria, the child of two Chinese settlers. Her parents worked for Jose Forca and Mercedes Valdes. Her godmother was Ana who worked for Encarnacion Martinez.
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 race. Chinese settlers could only marry other Chinese settlers without permission
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 race. Chinese settlers could only marry other Chinese settlers without permission.