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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 Records

Created1861
DescriptionRecords for the ship Alice Thorndike, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente y Co. On this trip, the Alice Thorndike brought 342 settlers from China to work.
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Ship Manifest of the Ship "Sky Lark"

Description

List of 590 Chinese settlers brought from China to Cuba to serve as indentured servants. They arrived in Havana abroad the American frigate, the Sky Lark. 1855.

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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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Shipping Records

Created1861
DescriptionRecords for the ship Kate Hooper, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Ferran y Dupierris and Torices, Puente y Co. On this trip, the Kate Hooper brought six settlers from China to work in the fields.
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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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Ship Record of the "Messenger"

Created1860
Description

Records for the ship Messenger, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Torices, Puente y Co. On this trip, Messenger brought workers from China to work.

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List of Runaway Chinese workers

Created1858
DescriptionThis is a list of runaway slaves that has been caught and placed in a slave prison in March 1858.
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List of Runaway Chinese Workers

Created1858
DescriptionList of Chinese settlers who ran away from their owners and were later captured. After capture, they were held in the Municipal Slave Deposit in Jaruco. Their names, ages, and nationality are listed along with the dates of their escape and capture.
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Shipping Record

Created1858
DescriptionRecords for the ship Huntreel and Mary Elisebe, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Sam Thomas.
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Ship Documentation

Created1861-02-11
Description
This documents the names and ages of 592 Chinese settlers brought to Cuba on the American frigate, "Kate Hooper" under the command of Captain E. Johnson. Contains two lists of shipment of Chinese settlers and all are listed under their Chinese names, indicating that they have no yet been baptized.…

This documents the names and ages of 592 Chinese settlers brought to Cuba on the American frigate, "Kate Hooper" under the command of Captain E. Johnson. Contains two lists of shipment of Chinese settlers and all are listed under their Chinese names, indicating that they have no yet been baptized. Also, there is a note of which settlers got sick during the journey.