Historical research and writing

Unique IDAY-0086Description*** This activity applies to the City of Sydney only ***

From 3 December 1881 staff of the City Surveyor's Department began to compile reports of searches conducted to ascertain the status of land, lanes and roadways in the City. The written reports were pasted into CRS 119, City Engineer's Miscellaneous Books, 1881 - 1993. These did not result in published histories but did constitute professional historical research. They also conducted research into the histories of parks, street naming, garbage disposal, woodpaving, and ownership of properties at the request of the City Treasurer.

In 1911 the City Council sponsored publication of The Early History of the Sydney Municipal Council, by Charles H Bertie, former City Librarian. However Bertie's effort seems to have been a private interest. Council's first foray into official or public history was the appointment of Eric Russell in 1976, which did not result in anything more than an assemblage of notes and copies of documents.

The approaching sesquicentenary in 1992 led to the appointment of Shirley Fitzgerald in 1987 to write a history of the Council, which was published as Sydney 1842-1992 in 1992. Several other books were also completed under the aegis of the Sesquicentenary History Project (1987-1994) and subsequently.

Eric Russell - 1976-1985
Shirley Fitzgerald - 1987+

Also employed at different times:
Paul Ashton
Margo Beasley
Hilary Golder
Christopher Keating

Other Councils, now absorbed by the City, produced some commemorative histories, such as the 'Jubliee Souvenir of the Municipality of Newtown 1862-1912' which included some historical components.CreationWork undertaken by Council surveyors to research the status of parcels of land and laneways in the City.
Appointment of Eric Russell to prepare a history of the Council, 1976 (ROC etc subject to research). Mr Russell never completed this task.

ROC 11 November 1985
Council resolved to establish a Sesquicentennial History Project to result in writing a history of the Council.

Prior to this Council had embarked on other similar historical initiatives. This needs further research.

Series

Information files

City Engineer's Miscellaneous Cards

Cultural and City Care Committee Agenda Papers

General Correspondence and Subject Files

Public Relations Photograph Library

General Correspondence and Subject Files

City Historians' Project Papers, 1987-2005

City Engineer's Miscellaneous Books [Municipal Council of Sydney / City of Sydney / South Sydney Council]

Central Activity Files, 1979-1987

Town Clerk's Department Correspondence Files, 1914-1978 [Municipal Council of Sydney / City of Sydney]

Description

Start date3rd December 1881Start date qualifierbyEnd date3rd December 1881Relationship legacy dataRELATED TO: Council administration FN-0026 (3/12/1881)

Identification

Source system ID86

Relationships

FunctionCouncil administration

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Historical research and writing