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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Created1868-03-09
DescriptionA letter from the bishop of Havana to the Superior Civil Governor. It details the bishops concerns about the spirituality of Chinese settlers.
Created1862
DescriptionAn identity card, or cedula, for Cayetano. Cayetano was 27 years old when this card was issued.
Created1862
DescriptionCayetano, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity in the city of Havana. He was originally from Canton. In his baptism, he offered his loyalty to the Cuban government and the church in order to eventually receive permanent residency in Cuba, a legal requirement.
Created1863
DescriptionRelates that Cayetano, a Chinese settler, was granted permanent residency in Cuba after fulfilling the legal requirements.
Created1860-04-23
DescriptionRecord of business deal for Caytano and Luis Lusini with the Society of Asian Colonization concerning the importation of Chinese settlers to Cuba to work.
Created1860-03-31
DescriptionRecord of business deals for Luis Lusini and Cayetano with the Society of Asian Colonization concerning the importation of Chinese settlers to Cuba to work.
Created1855-01-30
DescriptionRecord of business deal for Cayetano and Luis Lusini with the Society of Asian Colonization concerning the importation of Chinese settlers to Cuba to work.
Created1859
DescriptionCertifies that Cayetano, a Chinese settler, completed an eight-year-contract with his employer, Luis Suseni.
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.