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 42
Filtering by

Clear all filters

78480-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1868
DescriptionA contract between Nicolas, a Chinese settler, and Ramon and Carlos Jonts. The contract was to last for a year and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Signed by Ramon, Carlos Jonts, and Nicolas, who signed in Chinese.
78443-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1867-01-06
DescriptionThis is a second labor contract that was shared between a Chinese settler and his owner, Ramon; the term of the contract was for one year. 1867. Signed in Chinese.
78383-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1874-11-27
DescriptionDeath certificate for Ramon, a Chinese immigrant. He died in the Hospital de Caridad de San Felipe y Santiago.
78314-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1858
DescriptionList of Chinese settlers who ran away from their owners and were later captured. After capture, they were held in the Municipal Slave Deposit in Santa Maria del Rosario. Their names, ages, and nationality are listed along with the dates of their escape and capture.
77416-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1880-06-06
DescriptionCertificate of nationality of a Chinese settler, Manuel. It was signed by the Consulate General. He was originally from Canton.
77426-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1863-10-09
DescriptionRelates that Telesforo Landa, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
77437-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1860-03-31
DescriptionRecord of business deals for Luis Lusini and Cayetano with the Society of Asian Colonization concerning the importation of Chinese settlers to Cuba to work.
77454-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1865-03-22
DescriptionRecords for the ship Encarnacion, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Marino Gillado. On this trip, Encarnacion brought twenty settlers from China to work for Juan Vermay.
77491-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1860-05-30
Description

Records for the ship Serafina, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Serafina brought several settlers from China to work and some Spaniards and a Portuguese interpreter. Signed by Manuel Esmerendis, Javier A. de Saldez, and a Chinese settler, who signed in Chinese.

77539-Thumbnail Image.png
Created1866
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Ramon. Ramon was thirty-seven years old when this card was issued.