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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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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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Application Documents for Permanent Residence

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.
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Second Contract

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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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 Certificate

Created1874
DescriptionDeath certificate for Pablo, a Chinese immigrant. He died in the Hospital de Caridad de San Felipe from lung problems.
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Contract Fufilled

Created1865-12-16
DescriptionCertifies that Pablo, a Chinese settler, completed an two-year-contract with his employer, Juan Nepom Ortega.
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Identity Record

Created1866-12-25
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Pablo, originally from Canton. Pablo was working for the railroad in Urbana.
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Ship Record of the "Francis P. Sage"

Created1861-05-18
Description

Records for the ship Francis P Sage, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente and Ferran y Dupierris. This worker was to be employed in the countryside for Luisa de Mella.

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Shipping Records

Created1861-05-22
DescriptionRecords for the ship Francis P. Sage, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente and Ferran y Dupierris. This worker was to be employed as a domestic servant.
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Ship Record of the "Francis P. Sage"

Created1861-05-18
Description

Records for the ship Francis P. Sage, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Compania Asiatica, Torices Puente y Co and Ferran y Dupierris. On this trip, the Francis P. Sage brought workers from China to work in the fields.