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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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Shipping Records

Created1861
DescriptionRecords for the ship Alice Thorndike, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente y Co. On this trip, the Alice Thorndike brought 342 settlers from China to work.
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Shipping Record

Created1864-04-06
DescriptionRecords for the ship Vasco de Gama, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with La Alianza and Ferran y Dupierris. On this trip, the Vasco de Gama brought two settlers from China to work for Jose Campos.
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Shipping Record

Created1865
DescriptionRecords for the ship Aoon, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Ferran and Dupierris and la Alianza. On this trip, the Aoon brought 104 settlers from China to work. Most were hired by Jose Baró and one was hired by Agustin Terran.
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Cedula for Domiciled Settlers

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.
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Contract

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.
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Contract

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.
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Death Certificate

Created1874
DescriptionDeath certificate for Panteleon, a Chinese immigrant. He died in the Hospital de Saint Phillip and Saint James.
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Death Certificate

Created1874
DescriptionThis is a death certificate for Jose, a Chinese settler, who died in the Hospital of Saint Philip and Saint James in Havana.
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Labor Documents From La Alianza

Created1862
Description

Documents pertaining to the work of Ferran and Dupierris with their company, La Alianza that seeks to bring Chinese settlers to Cuba for work and colonization.

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Licensing

Created1865
DescriptionThis contract allows the company, La Alianza, headed by A.R. Ferran and Dupierris to hire the frigate, Camoens in order to transport Chinese settlers.