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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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.
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Created1857-10-12
Description
A contract between Chan Achan, a Chinese settler, and A. R. Ferran. The contract was to last for an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Signed by A. R. Ferran, J. R. Vargas, and Chan Achan, who signed in Chinese.

A contract between Chan Achan, a Chinese settler, and A. R. Ferran. The contract was to last for an undisclosed amount of time and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Signed by A. R. Ferran, J. R. Vargas, and Chan Achan, who signed in Chinese. Also featured in Chinese.
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Created1861-06-04
Description

Records for the ship Kate Hooper, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with La Compania Asiatica, Torices, Puente y Co, and Ferran y Dupierris. On this trip, the Kate Hooper brought a worker from China to work as a domestic servant.

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Created1861-06-04
Description

Records for the ship Kate Hooper, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with La Compania Asiatica, Torices, Puente y Co, and Ferran y Dupierris. On this trip, the Kate Hooper brought a worker from China to work as a domestic servant.

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Created1861-06-04
DescriptionRecords for the ship Kate Hooper, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente and Ferran y Dupierris. On this trip, the Kate Hooper brought workers from China to work as domestic servants for Antonio M. Rodriguez.
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Created1861-06-04
DescriptionRecords for the ship Kate Hooper, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente and Ferran y Dupierris. One worker from China to work as a domestic servant for Antonio M. Rodriguez in Matanzas.
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Created1869-08-04
DescriptionThis is a second labor contract that was shared between Brito, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Gabriel Vivo y Fuentes; the term of the contract was for one year. 1869.
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Created1869-09-21
Description
This is a second labor contract that was shared between Daniel a Chinese settler, and Jose Valentin de Cabo, his new owner, in which Daniel agreed to work for Jose Valentin de Cabo for one year. The contract was issued after Daniel completed his original eight year labor contract with

This is a second labor contract that was shared between Daniel a Chinese settler, and Jose Valentin de Cabo, his new owner, in which Daniel agreed to work for Jose Valentin de Cabo for one year. The contract was issued after Daniel completed his original eight year labor contract with another owner. 1869.
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Created1869-10-11
Description

This is a second labor contract that was shared between Anacleto, a Chinese settler, and Manuel Paredes, his owner. By signing the contract, Anacleto agreed to work under the orders of Paredes for one year. 1869.

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Created1869-08-04
Description
This is the second labor contract between Cipirian, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Gabriel Vivo y Fuentes in the city of Jaruco. Cipirian was originally from Canton and brought to Cuba to serve as an indentured servant. The length of the contract was for a year and details the

This is the second labor contract between Cipirian, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Gabriel Vivo y Fuentes in the city of Jaruco. Cipirian was originally from Canton and brought to Cuba to serve as an indentured servant. The length of the contract was for a year and details the rules of the contract under Cuban law. His salary was six and a half pesos. This document is signed by Gabriel Vivo y Fuentes, the governor of Jaruco and two witnesses, but not by Cipirian himself.