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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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Ship Documentation

Created1860
DescriptionRecords for the ship, Seraphina, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Serafina brought 400 settlers from Cuba. The Serafina stopped in Amoy and the Cape of Good Hope before going to Cuba.
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Shipping Record

Created1861-04-22
DescriptionRecords for the ship Maria Clotilde, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba under contract with Troncaso Bustamante and Company. On this trip, the Maria Clotilde brought 256 settlers from China to work. They were hired to be domestic servants.
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List of Contracted Chinese Workers

Created1865-03-15
Description
This is a list of sixty Chinese settlers whose eight year labor contracts were transferred to Banco de San Carlos upon their arrival in Havana. The settlers were transported to Cuba aboard the Spanish ship "Emigrante", and they were required to work as indentured servants for eight years. These settlers…

This is a list of sixty Chinese settlers whose eight year labor contracts were transferred to Banco de San Carlos upon their arrival in Havana. The settlers were transported to Cuba aboard the Spanish ship "Emigrante", and they were required to work as indentured servants for eight years. These settlers were hired by the bank to do fieldwork in Matanzas, Cuba. 1865.
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Shipping Record

Created1870
DescriptionRecords for the ship Catalonia, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Catalonia brought 524 settlers from China to work. The ship was captained by Escajadillo.
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Shipping Record

Created1873
DescriptionRecords for the ship Amboto, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Amboto brought twelve settlers from China to work. The ship was captained by Laureano Ausuatigue.
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Ship Record of the "Rosa de Furia"

Created1872
Description

Records for the ship, Rosa de Furia, which brought Chinese settlers from China to Cuba. On this trip, the Rosa de Furia docked in Havana.

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Contract Fulfilled

Created1866-06-01
DescriptionCertifies that Felipe, a Chinese settler, completed an eight-year-contract with his employer, Cristobal Madan.
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Contract

Created1866
DescriptionA contract between Felipe, a Chinese settler, and Cristobal Madan. The contract was to last for a year and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes Felipe completed a contract with Yugenio la Rosa previously. Signed by Cristobal Madan and Felipe, who signed in Chinese.
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Contract

Created1867
DescriptionA contract between Felipe, a Chinese settler, and Pedro Rorello. The contract was to last for a year and lists the legal requirements of both the employee and the employer. Notes Felipe completed a contract with Cristobal Madan previously. Signed by Pedro Rorello and Felipe, who signed in Chinese.
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Baptism Certificate

Created1868-06-06
DescriptionFelipe, a Chinese settler, converted to Christianity. 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.