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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 Record

Created1864-06-30
DescriptionRecords for the ship Alfonso de Albuquerque, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Alfonso de Albuquerque brought settlers from China to do fieldwork.
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List of Contracted Chinese Workers

Created1864
DescriptionList of 47 Chinese settlers brought to Cuba on the ship "Auguste y Gustave" they were hired to work on the Ingenio Faith in 1864.
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List of Contracted Chinese Workers

Created1863
DescriptionPaper and hiring of 25 Chinese Settlers brought to Cuba aboard the Italian ship "Queen of England" They were hired to work on the field in 1864 and then contracted by Jose Antonio S. Argudin and Pedro Morales in August 1865.
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Ship Record of the "Encarnacion"

Created1865-03-22
Description

Records 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.

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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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Court Records

Created1886-03-31
DescriptionRecords of the court clerk, Ramon Barinaga y Urbaneja of the Prado district courts. Pertaining to the arrest and trial of Jose Afa, who was arrested in connection with an illegal Chinese lottery. The prosecutor dismissed the case against Jose Afa on the 31st of March, 1886
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Meeting

Created1886-01-28
DescriptionReport detailing meetings of the Secretary of the Governor, Manuel Martinez and various Cuban citizens. These citizens usually voice concerns about certain laws or the alteration of laws.
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Naturalization Document

Created1871-12-15
DescriptionOfficial naturalization document of Valentin Martinez, a Chinese settler, who was granted his carta de naturaleza, or naturalization documents. Relates that Valentin had take an oath of loyalty and obedience to the Cuban government that was required of him.