Chinese Immigrants in Cuba: Documents From the James and Ana Melikian Collection
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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Created1860
DescriptionRecords for the ship, Seraphina, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Serafina brought 400 settlers from Cuba. The Serafina stopped in Amoy and the Cape of Good Hope before going to Cuba.
Created1861-04-22
DescriptionRecords for the ship Maria Clotilde, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Troncaso Bustamante and Company. On this trip, the Maria Clotilde brought 256 settlers from China to work. They were hired to be domestic servants.
Created1865-03-15
Description
This is a list of sixty Chinese settlers whose eight year labor contracts were transferred to Banco de San Carlos upon their arrival in Havana. The settlers were transported to Cuba aboard the Spanish ship "Emigrante", and they were required to work as indentured servants for eight years. These settlers were hired by the bank to do fieldwork in Matanzas, Cuba. 1865.
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.
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.
Created1870
DescriptionRecords for the ship Catalonia, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Catalonia brought 524 settlers from China to work. The ship was captained by Escajadillo.
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.
Created1873
DescriptionRecords for the ship Amboto, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Amboto brought twelve settlers from China to work. The ship was captained by Laureano Ausuatigue.
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.
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.