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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Created1886-01-27
Description
This collection of documents pertains to the discovery of an illegal Chinese lottery in the home of a Chinese settler, and the ensuing investigation to determine the culprits and amass sufficient evidence against them to determine an appropriate punishment for the crime. An index was provided at the beginning of the packet to outline the various testimonies, minutes, evidence, and sentence included in the packet. Antonio Alli and Jose Alem were the two Chinese settlers who were charged with organizing the Chinese lottery and distributing the lottery ballots. The first document proceeding the index page is the testimony that was provided by Gabriel Gonzalez Reynaldo, the police officer who discovered the ballots in Antonio Alli's home, in which he described the initial suspicions of the unauthorized lottery taking place inside the home and the evidence that he discovered upon entering it on January 27, 1886. Both Antonio Alli and Jose Alem were found together in the house when Gabriel entered and discovered the evidence of the Chinese lottery. Both men were subsequently interviewed upon being arrested. The two men claimed that Jose had been visiting Antonio when an unidentified Chinese settler entered the house to ask if they knew about any job opportunities and forgot the ballots there when he left. An order was issued by the law enforcement to interview Antonio's neighbors and ascertain whether or not they knew about Antonio's involvement in the Chinese lottery. Another order was issued to send the ballots confiscated at Antonio's home to the Chinese consulate to be translated and interpreted, and a third order was made to determine whether Antonio and Jose were the Chinese lottery organizers and distributors or if they merely bought the ballots. All of the neighbors who were interviewed claimed that Antonio was most likely innocent based on their observations of his good work ethic and dedication to his job as a cigar seller. The neighbors of Jose Alem claimed that his involvement in the Chinese lottery was unlikely. A report from the Chinese consulate revealed that the papers sent to them to translate were indeed related to the Chinese lottery. No further evidence was found against the two men, and neither of them had committed any previous infractions. However, both of them were sentenced to serve two months and one day in jail, pay a fine of 1,625 pesos each, and had their voting rights revoked. 1886.
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.
Created1863
DescriptionRelates that Agustin, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements. He was baptized and had a record of employment.
Created1864
DescriptionThis is a letter from Manuel Aliatoe to the Governor Bishop of Havana concerning the baptism of Chinese settlers.
Created1867
DescriptionMaria, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity. Maria offered her loyalty to the Cuban government and the church in order to eventually receive permanent residency in Cuba, a legal requirement. Ramon Ibarra Pastor is listed as her godfather.
Created1862
DescriptionLetters from the diocese in Remedios concerning the baptism of Chinese settlers who are brought to Cuba to work.
DescriptionOfficial naturalization document of Simon, a Chinese settler, who was granted his carta de naturaleza, or naturalization documents. Relates that Simon had take an oath of loyalty and obedience to the Cuban government that was required of him.
Created1866-08-28
DescriptionCertifies that Simon Perez, a Chinese settler, completed an eight-year-contract with his employer, the Sugar Refinery de Carmen.
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.
Created1863-10-10
DescriptionRelates that Telesforo, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.