Hill End Gold 3rd edition. When published in 1982 it was heralded as the most up to date historical paper on gold in Australia with the focus on Hill End. The year after in 1983 the N.S.W. State Libraries Service bulk purchased for distribution throughout its affiliated Libraries. This book has been used by many who have written similar since. The focus is a complete history of gold, complemented by geology, mining methods and photographic records, using Hill End as an example of the rise and fall of an Australian gold town, highlighting four gold related world records, and the World's largest single mass of gold.
If you can trace your family back to the 1870's in Australians it is possible you could have 8 GG-grandfathers. During the 1870's Hill End was the second largest population in NSW, making it a strong possibility many 4th generation Australian's have ties back to this goldfield. To get a real feel for an Australian gold town history it was necessary to pick a site as an example, understanding that a short time had the most impact and the travelling gold seeking population infiltrated very remote areas. A gold digger was an explorer who chased adventure and, with luck, found riches. Some research sources were The Department of Mineral Resources, Mines Inspector and Gold Commissioners reports. Original mining company and Royal Australian Mint records. Family diaries, living and continuing mining family accounts combined with the general atmosphere which involved the living community of Hill End.
Some testimonials...
"This fine book represents a well researched historical guide to the people, places and mining methods of Hill End."... Ian FreelandDistrict Inspector for Mines, Orange
"This is a well researched book which will be of great interest not only to the student, the tourist and the fossickers, but also to all those interested in Australian gold mining history".
C. W. Marshall A.O. Mining Engineer
"You have an understanding of the 'nitty-gritty' of what goes on in a mining community and an appreciation of the mining technicalities, past and present". (Professor/Geology), Alan Jopling, April 29th 1983.
