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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

Created1866-05-30
DescriptionThis is a labor contract that was shared between Higiorio, a Chinese settler, and his owner, Pedro del Campo; the term of the contract was for one year. 1866.
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Death Certificate

Created1889-07-23
DescriptionA death certificate for Horentio Bay, who died at the Civil Hospital of Our Lady of Mercy in Havana. He died from tuberculosis and was buried in the general cemetery.
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Identification Card

Created1869
DescriptionCedula or identification card for Toribio, a Chinese settler. He was originally from Soltero and is in the process of of fulfilling a contract with a Cuban landowner. 1869.
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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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Contract

Created1866-05-20
Description
This is the first labor contract that was shared between a Chinese settler named Leopoldo, and his owner, Felipe Macau, presumably a freed Chinese settler. Leopoldo had already completed a contract with Joaquin Tiago. He was brought from Canton to Cuba to work as an indentured servant in Soltero. The…

This is the first labor contract that was shared between a Chinese settler named Leopoldo, and his owner, Felipe Macau, presumably a freed Chinese settler. Leopoldo had already completed a contract with Joaquin Tiago. He was brought from Canton to Cuba to work as an indentured servant in Soltero. The term of the contract with Don Felipe was for six months. 1866. Signed in Chinese by Leopoldo.
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Request to Import Chinese Workers

Created1858
Description

Documents to apply for authorization to bring Chinese settlers to Cuba in 1858.

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Rehire Request

Created1868-02-08
Description
Upon the completion of a labor contract with a Cuban landlord, this rehire request was issued for Rufino- a Chinese settler, who wished to enter a new labor contract with Manuel G. Portocarrero for the duration of one year. The request was accepted, and a one year labor contract was…

Upon the completion of a labor contract with a Cuban landlord, this rehire request was issued for Rufino- a Chinese settler, who wished to enter a new labor contract with Manuel G. Portocarrero for the duration of one year. The request was accepted, and a one year labor contract was signed by both men. Havana- 1868. Signed in Chinese.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-09-01
DescriptionRelates that Mariano, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Permanent Residency

Created1863-09-13
DescriptionRelates that Cristobal, a Chinese settler, requested permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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Contract

Created1854-06-05
Description
A contract between San Kim or Fernando Guerra, a Chinese settler, and an agent of Ignacio Fernandez de Castro. 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 Al MacKay and San Kim, who…

A contract between San Kim or Fernando Guerra, a Chinese settler, and an agent of Ignacio Fernandez de Castro. 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 Al MacKay and San Kim, who signed in Chinese.