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.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 36
Filtering by
Created1866
DescriptionThis is an oath of allegiance signed by a Chinese settler in order to become a natural citizen of Cuba. Signed in Chinese.
Created1862
Description
A contract between Pablo, a Chinese settler, and Engenio de Mora. The contract was to last for two years and lists the legal requirement of both the employee and the employer. Pablo did not negotiate or sign the contract as the signature stipulates that someone else signed for him. Signed by Jose Miguel.
Created1866-04-26
DescriptionThis document is a certification that the application for permanent residence in Cuba that was submitted by a Chinese settler named Pablo was approved. Instructions to expedite a carta de domicilio, or a residence card, for Pablo were written on the bottom of the page. Cardenas- 1866
Created1874
DescriptionDeath certificate for Pablo, a Chinese immigrant. He died in the Hospital de Caridad de San Felipe from lung problems.
Created1867-04-17
DescriptionReport detailing the regulations and laws concerning the burial of Chinese settlers and the efforts of the Commission led by Mateo Menudo to establish these laws.
Created1865-05-11
Description
Relates that the civil government regulated the ability of Chinese settlers to marry. If they possessed a cedula, or identity record (meaning they were legally employed in Cuba, but had not yet become a permanent resident), they needed permission to marry anyone who was considered to be of a different race. Chinese settlers could only marry other Chinese settlers without permission.
Created1865-03-31
Description
Relates that the civil government regulated the ability of Chinese settlers to marry. If they possessed a cedula, or identity record (meaning they were legally employed in Cuba, but had not yet become a permanent resident), they needed permission to marry anyone who was considered to be of a different race. Chinese settlers could only marry other Chinese settlers without permission.
Created1864-05-27
Description
Relates that the civil government regulated the ability of Chinese settlers to marry. If they possessed a cedula, or identity record (meaning they were legally employed in Cuba, but had not yet become a permanent resident), they needed permission to marry anyone who was considered to be of a different race. Chinese settlers could only marry other Chinese settlers without permission.
Created1857-03-31
DescriptionRecords for the arrival of ship, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba, in the port of Havana. The ship brought settlers from China to work in Havana.
Created1865-12-16
DescriptionCertifies that Pablo, a Chinese settler, completed an two-year-contract with his employer, Juan Nepom Ortega.