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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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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 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 "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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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.