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.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 76
Filtering by

Clear all filters

78639-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1866-06-20
DescriptionRecords for the ship Mina, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with La Alianza. On this trip, the Mina brought settlers from China to work for Jose D. Sanchez Benitez.
78817-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1866
DescriptionRecords for the ship Oldenburg Ammerland, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Y. M. Zangroniz y Co. On this trip, the Oldenburg Ammerland brought fourteen from China to work for the sugar plantation "La Palma". 1866
78475-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1860
DescriptionThis is the first contract between Joaquin, a Chinese settler, and Francisco Carrera for the period of one year. 1860.
78485-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1868-06-28
DescriptionThis is a second labor contract that was shared between Francisco- a Chinese settler, and a Cuban landlord named D. Pedro L. Garcia; the contract term, as specified within the contract, was for one year. 1968. Signed in Chinese.
78486-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1868-06-28
DescriptionThis is a second labor contract that was shared between Celestino, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Pablo Momilo; the term of the contract was for one year. Details regarding Celestino's wage, food, clothes, and work hours were stipulated in the document. 1868. Signed in Chinese.
78490-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1868-05-26
DescriptionThis is a second labor contract between a Chinese settler named Tadeo and Augustus de Sagua, a Chinese landlord. The term of the contract was for one year. It was signed by the governor of Cuba, Augustus de Sagua, and Tadeo. Signed in Chinese by Tadeo.
78506-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1865
Description
This is an example of a type of cedula that was issued for domiciled Chinese settlers and Yucatecs, and this cedula in particular was issued for a Chinese settler named Santiago. Santiago was 34 years old at the time that this cedula was issued for him, and he was employed

This is an example of a type of cedula that was issued for domiciled Chinese settlers and Yucatecs, and this cedula in particular was issued for a Chinese settler named Santiago. Santiago was 34 years old at the time that this cedula was issued for him, and he was employed as a fieldworker for Agustin Ferran. Other details regarding his origin in China as well as basic physical descriptions were included in the document. 1865.
78451-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1868-03-28
Description
This is a second labor contract that was shared between Federico, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Francisco Cairo. Federico was brought to Cuba from China to serve as an indentured servant and the term of the contract was for one year. Details regarding Federico's wage, food, clothes, and work

This is a second labor contract that was shared between Federico, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Francisco Cairo. Federico was brought to Cuba from China to serve as an indentured servant and the term of the contract was for one year. Details regarding Federico's wage, food, clothes, and work hours were stipulated in the document. 1868. Signed in Chinese by Federico.
78453-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1867-01-06
DescriptionThis is the first labor contract that between a Chinese settler named Eleuterio, also known as Santiago, and his owner, Don Juan. The term of the contract was for one year. This document is signed by the governor of Colon, Don Juan and Eleuterio. 1867.
78461-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1866
DescriptionA contract between Santiago, a Chinese settler, and Julian Aranga. The contract to last for one year and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Signed by Julian Aranga, Benardo Martinez, and Santiago, who signed in Chinese.