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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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Imprisonment Documents

Created1858-11-27
Description
This group of documents pertain to the disappearance of 14 Chinese settlers and their cedulas, and the search that ensued to locate them and return them to their owners. A claim was made by the owners of the cedulas- D. Antonio and Eduardo Betancourt, on November 27, 1858. Various authority…

This group of documents pertain to the disappearance of 14 Chinese settlers and their cedulas, and the search that ensued to locate them and return them to their owners. A claim was made by the owners of the cedulas- D. Antonio and Eduardo Betancourt, on November 27, 1858. Various authority figures in several of the Cuban towns responded to the report and promised to keep an active search, and to remain in constant communication regarding the missing 14 settlers. However, it was later established within the reports that D. Antonio Betancourt had provided fraudulent contracts about the 14 settlers, and he was therefore arrested and held in prison. After appealing for his freedom, D. Antonio Betancourt was released from the prison, el Castillo de la Punta, on February, 15, 1859.
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Cedula Instructions

Created1855
Description

Letter from the Captain General, stating what should be filled on the identity cards of Chinese settlers. 1855.

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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1865
DescriptionThese are the documents for permanent residency for Saturnino, a Chinese settler in 1865. He lives in Soltero and Cardenas. His application includes his identity card.
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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1866
DescriptionThese are the documents for permanent residency for a Chinese settler, Pablo Campo. Signed by the Colonel Governor.
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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1865
DescriptionThese are documents for permanent residency for a Chinese settler, Vieter, originally from Canton in 1865.
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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1871
DescriptionApplication for permanent residency for a Chinese settler, Francisco Echante in 1871.
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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

Created1873
DescriptionThis is an application for permanent residence for Jose Sole, a Chinese settler.
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Death Record

Created1865
DescriptionDeath record of Bartolome, a Chinese settler who died from pulmonary consumption. 1865.
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Cedula

Created1864
Description

The cedula or an identity record for a Chinese settler, Francisco. He was brought from Soltero, China to Cuba to work for M. B. Pereda for eight years. Then, his contract was transferred to R. A. Leull for an additional eight years. 1864.

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Identity Card

Created1865
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Capruto, originally from Soltero. Capruto worked for Josefa Carbonell.