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.
Created1860-03-13
Description
These documents pertain to the American ship "Norway" that arrived in Havana on March 30, 1860, with around 900 colonists from China. The purpose of these communications were to establish conditions that needed to be met for authorization to be granted for the Chinese settlers to disembark. A list of the passengers, their contracts, and a health inspection had to be completed before any of the settlers could be let off the ship. Ultimately, the final document in this selection reveals that the settlers were eventually let off the ship two days later, and were taken into a police station for examinations. "Norway"- 1860.
Created1855
Description
Request for authorization for the shipment of Chinese settlers 1855. Also contains tax certificate for the shipment of 532 Chinese settlers in the American ship "Sky Lark", tax certificate for the shipment of 233 Chinese settlers in the Portuguese ship "Sophia" and tax certificate for the shipment of 249 Chinese settlers in the Portuguese ship "Viajante".
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
DescriptionListing of contract documents and 4 Chinese settlers brought to Cuba in the American ship "Luisita" they were hired to work in the field in 1864 for Francisco Rosell.