Certificates of Residence Issued to Chinese Laborers
Finding aid created by History San Jose Research Library staff using RecordEXPRESS
History San Jose Research Library
2023
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, California 95112
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
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Title: Certificates of Residence Issued to Chinese Laborers
Dates: 1894
Collection Number: 1965-1
Creator/Collector:
United States. Internal Revenue Service
Extent: .5 linear feet (37 certificates)
Online items available
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Original certificates of residence issued by the U.S. government in 1894 to Chinese laborers under the provisions of the Act
of May 5, 1892 (the Geary Act), allowing them to remain and work in the United States.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open to the public for research by appointment with the Curator of Library & Archives.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Curator
of Library and Archives. Consent is given on behalf of History San Jose as the owner of the physical items and is not intended
to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. Restrictions
also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational
purposes.
[Identification of item]. Certificates of Residence Issued to Chinese Laborers. Collection Number: 1965-1. History San Jose
Research Library
Originally donated to Clyde Arbuckle in 1965 by Frank Emmite and Domonic Mercurio of the California Loan Office in San Jose;
part of the original collection of the San Jose Historical Museum.
Biography/Administrative History
The Geary Act, introduced by California Congressman Thomas J. Geary, and passed by the U.S. Congress on May 5, 1892, extended
the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. The law required Chinese residents of the United States to apply for a Certificate of Residence
and carry it at all times. Failure to do so was punishable by deportation.
Scope and Content of Collection
Original certificates of residence issued in 1894 by Collectors of Internal Revenue on behalf of the U.S. government to Chinese
laborers under the provisions of the Act of May 5, 1892 (the Geary Act), allowing them to remain and work in the United States.
The certificates include a photograph, name of individual, physical description, type of labor, and place of residence. Most
certificates were issued in San Jose or the San Francisco Bay Area; several were issued outside of California.
California--Emigration and immigration--History--19th century.
Chinese Americans--History
Discrimination
San Jose (Calif.)
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)
Wadsworth (Nev.)
Portland (Or.)
El Paso (Tex.)
certificates