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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Created1872-03-22
DescriptionA death certificate for Caledorio Voney, a Chinese immigrant. He died in the Royal Hospital of San Felipe y Santiago. Antonio, the administrator signed the document.
Created1866
DescriptionContract between Antonio, a Chinese settler, and Petrona Hernandes for six months in the countryside. The contract is signed by Petrona Hernandes, Antonio, and the governor of Cuba. Antonio signed in Chinese. 1866.
Created1861
DescriptionThis is a contract between Antonio, a Chinese settler, and J. Smith for the term of one year. 1861. Signed in Chinese.
DescriptionRecord of business deals for Jose Garcia and Agapita Ruiz Gonzalez with the Society of Asian Colonization concerning the importation of Chinese settlers to Cuba to work.
Created1864-02-29
Description
Relates that Leonardo Sanchez, a permanent resident of Cuba and a baptized Catholic, married Marcelina Diaz. She was born in Matanzas and they had two daughters, who were both baptized and registered in the book for those of European descent in their parish church. Report concerns whether or not their children, who were of "mixed race," could be considered white, determined by which book their baptisms are recorded in. Churches would use different books for Europeans, whites, and minorities.
Created1864-03-05
Description
Relates that Leonardo Sanchez, a permanent resident of Cuba and a baptized Catholic, married Marcelina Diaz. She was born in Matanzas and they had two daughters, who were both baptized and registered in the book for those of European descent in their parish church. Report concerns whether or not their children, who were of "mixed race," could be considered white, determined by which book their baptisms are recorded in. Churches would use different books for Europeans, whites, and minorities.
Created1877-05-10
DescriptionRecord for Candelaria Maria, the child of a Creole, Clara and an unknown father. Her grandmother was Jacoba Loria. Her godfather was Angel Grey Valdes and her godmother was Maria Medina who was a slave of Carlos Dias Arguelles. She was baptized in Cerro.
Created1869-06-07
DescriptionCandelaria, a slave, converted to Christianity. She was the slave of Juan Sibario and was the daughter of the Chinese settler, Eustaguia. Her godmother was Merced Sonata Cruz, a creole slave. She was owned by Antonio Agustin Villa.
Created1858
DescriptionList of Chinese settlers who ran away from their owners and were later captured. After capture, they were held in the Depot. Their names, ages, and nationality are listed along with the dates of their escape and capture.
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 Santa Maria del Rosario. Their names, ages, and nationality are listed along with the dates of their escape and capture.