Chinese Immigrants in Cuba: Documents From the James and Ana Melikian Collection
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.
Created1858
Description
Documents to apply for authorization to bring Chinese settlers to Cuba in 1858.
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 signed by both men. Havana- 1868. Signed in Chinese.
Created1863-09-01
DescriptionRelates that Mariano, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
Created1863-09-13
DescriptionRelates that Cristobal, a Chinese settler, requested permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
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 signed in Chinese.
Created1875-10-07
DescriptionThis is a request made to the Cuban government on the behalf of Trinidad Amador, a Spanish bussinessman, in which he sought permission to renew the contracts of five of his Chinese workers. 1875
Created1872-04-20
DescriptionThis is a formal request that was made on the behalf of Pedro, a Chinese settler, who sought permission to be rehired by his original owner under a new labor contract. 1872.
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.
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 another owner. 1869.