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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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Ship Documentation

Created1861
DescriptionA dossier formed to demand identity cards of 200 Chinese settlers who were brought to Cuba in the Chilean vessel Grey Hound". Several official communications on the subject; record to investigate the conditions under which they have been hired Chinese settlers; list of Chinese settlers hired.
Chinese Lottery

Chinese Lottery

Created1886
DescriptionProsecution of a group of Chinese settlers for running an illegal lottery. Police Officer Pablo Delgado discovered the lottery and details those involved, including a settler named Damien.
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Ship Record of the "Grey Hound"

Created1861
Description

Records for the ship Grey Hound, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente y Co. On this trip, the Grey Hound brought five settlers from China to work in the countryside.

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Contracted Chinese Workers

Created1861
DescriptionRecords for the ship the Grey Hound, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices Puente y Co. On this trip, the Grey Hound brought three settlers from China to work for a railroad company.
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Contracted Chinese Workers

Created1861
DescriptionRecords for the ship Grey Hound, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with the Company Asiatica, Torices Puente y Co, and Ferran y Duperris. On this trip, the Grey Hound brought settlers from China to work for the railroad in Matanzas.
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Marriage Report

Created1864-05-20
DescriptionRelates that Zaldo Ferran y Dupierris solicited the civil government to create a separate book in parish churches for the marriages of Chinese settlers and blacks or people of mixed race.
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Government Report

Created1964-04-29
Description
Relates that Leonardo Sanchez, a permanent resident of Cuba and a baptized Catholic, married Marcelina Diaz. She was born in Matanzas and they had two daughters, who were both baptized and registered in the book for those of European descent in their parish church. Report concerns whether or not their…

Relates that Leonardo Sanchez, a permanent resident of Cuba and a baptized Catholic, married Marcelina Diaz. She was born in Matanzas and they had two daughters, who were both baptized and registered in the book for those of European descent in their parish church. Report concerns whether or not their children, who were of "mixed race," could be considered white, determined by which book their baptisms are recorded in. Churches would use different books for Europeans, whites, and minorities. The Governor rules that children born to one white parent were to be considered the same racial classification in terms of their baptism.
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Naturalization Document

Created1873-03-13
DescriptionOfficial naturalization document of Juan Ley Acheu, a Chinese settler, who was granted his carta de naturaleza, or naturalization documents. Relates that Juan had take an oath of loyalty and obedience to the Cuban government that was required of him.
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Chinese Lottery

Created1886-04-12
DescriptionDescribes the actions of the District Attorney in Havana to prosecute Pedro Amador, a Chinese settler, who was prosecuted in relation to the illegal Chinese lottery, Chiffa.
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Investigation

DescriptionThe Superior Civil Government investigates the Society of Bustmante y Troncaso's hiring practices, relating to the illegal hiring of Chinese settlers under the age of 14. Many of their contracts did not mention the age of the settlers as to avoid the legal age requirements.