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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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Death Record

Created1865
DescriptionCertification of death of a Chinese settler belonging to Ingenio Harmony 1865
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Death Record

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

Description
This is a second work contract that was shared between Antonio- a Chinese settler, and his owner, D. Martin de Cardenas y Layas. Prior to entering this agreement, Antonio was being held in the municipal deposit of the capital; according to the fourth and fifth articles in the contract, and…

This is a second work contract that was shared between Antonio- a Chinese settler, and his owner, D. Martin de Cardenas y Layas. Prior to entering this agreement, Antonio was being held in the municipal deposit of the capital; according to the fourth and fifth articles in the contract, and it is possible that he was required to enter this contract as a punishment for past transgressions against his owner. The length of this contract was for six months. Signed in Chinese.
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Contract

Created1862
Description
A contract between Pablo, a Chinese settler, and Engenio de Mora. The contract was to last for two years and lists the legal requirement of both the employee and the employer. Pablo did not negotiate or sign the contract as the signature stipulates that someone else signed for him. Signed…

A contract between Pablo, a Chinese settler, and Engenio de Mora. The contract was to last for two years and lists the legal requirement of both the employee and the employer. Pablo did not negotiate or sign the contract as the signature stipulates that someone else signed for him. Signed by Jose Miguel.
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Shipping Records

Created1865
DescriptionRecords for the ship Encarnacion, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with _____. On this trip, the Encarnacion brought at least 268 settlers from China to work. Eleven of them were hired by Joaquin Marquez at the Trinidad factory.
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Contract

Created1861
DescriptionThis is a contract between Antonio, a Chinese settler, and J. Smith for the term of one year. 1861. Signed in Chinese.
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Contract

Created1866
DescriptionContract between Antonio, a Chinese settler, and Petrona Hernandes for six months in the countryside. The contract is signed by Petrona Hernandes, Antonio, and the governor of Cuba. Antonio signed in Chinese. 1866.
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Permanent Residence Application Approval

Created1866-04-26
DescriptionThis document is a certification that the application for permanent residence in Cuba that was submitted by a Chinese settler named Pablo was approved. Instructions to expedite a carta de domicilio, or a residence card, for Pablo were written on the bottom of the page. Cardenas- 1866
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Death Certificates

Created1874
Description
These are two death certificates that were issued for two Chinese settlers. The first one was signed on October 12, 1874, and pertained to a young girl named Brigida Fuentes who was the daughter of a Chinese settler named Celestina Fuentes. The second certificate was signed on October 5, 1874,…

These are two death certificates that were issued for two Chinese settlers. The first one was signed on October 12, 1874, and pertained to a young girl named Brigida Fuentes who was the daughter of a Chinese settler named Celestina Fuentes. The second certificate was signed on October 5, 1874, and pertained to an unknown person. Havana.
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Death Certificate

Created1874-10-10
DescriptionThis is a death certificate that was written for a Chinese settler who died on October 10, 1874. Havana.