Colonial pioneers : the early industrial metal trades of Sydney, 1825-1875

This article sets out to place the new metal trades in the city's early metalworking industrial landscape. However, it is hampered by the loss of census, public works, and other important government documents in the 1882 fire that destroyed the Garden Palace, where many such records were housed. Such information provides the starting point for research and its absence makes it difficult to quantify activity, identify names, businesses, occupations and other information necessary to provide a comprehensive analysis of those involved. Nevertheless, despite this obvious shortcoming, it is felt that such a significant part of Sydney's early history should be written.