Skip to main content

Interview with Yrmina Eng Menendez, 1997-11-04

 Item
Identifier: 2015.007.019

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection consists of 33 audiocassette tapes of oral histories conducted from 1997-1998 and 2003. Most of the interviews are compiled on two cassettes, although not all. All of the interviews have been digitized.

Dates

  • 1997-11-04

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is unrestricted.

Conditions Governing Use

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, belong to the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA). Interview can only be reproduced with permission from the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA).

Extent

0.05 Gigabytes

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

A family history based in Cuba: Her father, who is Chinese, came to Cuba in the 20th century and married to a Cuban lady. The interviewee was the smallest child among the 6 kids in her family; she is 42 years old now and lives in Havana. She spoke mostly Spanish, basic English, some French, studied Russian before, and studied Cantonese before for years. Her father came in the year of 1920, when he was 20-something. He came to Cuba for personal economic interests, spoke few Spanish, and communicated mostly with other Chinese. He had worked in various industries and took many different jobs, mostly in the business. He later only worked in business with other Chinese relatives. The topic starts from Family history to general Chinese immigration to Cuba. Yrmina said most early Chinese immigrants were men, who later brought their family to Cuba and constantly sent money back to China. However, some of them married to local Cuban women (black, brown, white…) and even some Spanish women.

Repository Details

Part of the Museum of Chinese in America Repository

Contact:
70 Mulberry Street,2nd floor
New York NY 10013 USA