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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

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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Second Contract

Created1868-07-30
DescriptionThis is the first labor contract that belonged to a Chinese settler named Benigno, and his owner, Ramon Felipe. Benigno was brought from Soltero to Cuba to work as an indentured servant. The term of the contract was for one year. 1868. Signed in Chinese.
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Contract Fulfilled

Created1866-06-12
DescriptionCertifies that Serapio, a Chinese settler, completed an eight-year-contract with his employer.
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Permanent Residency

DescriptionRelates that Vicente, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-10-16
DescriptionRelates that Cristobal, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-10-10
DescriptionRelates that Telesforo, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-10-09
DescriptionRelates that Telesforo Landa, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-08-14
DescriptionRelates that Jose, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-09-10
DescriptionRelates that Jose, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Marriage Report

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…

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.