Would anyone on the list have information relating to the fireclay brickworks at Glenboig or to people who worked there? I am an archaeologist currently working on the site of an historical inn, c.1830, near Yass, New South Wales, Australia. In recent excavations we have uncovered two fireclay bricks. One bears the words: "STAR WORKS GLENBOIG" and the other just the word "GLENBOIG". Would you, or would you know of someone, who may know the history of the Glenboig brickworks. In particular, if anyone knows of the association with the name "STAR WORKS" and when that company began operating at Glenboig? As I understand it was prior to the formation of the Glenboig Union Fireclay Company, which may have been around 1860. In an extracts taken from "Old Coatbridge Villages" by Oliver Van Helden it notes that: "Abundant fireclay deposits around Glenboig and Garnkirk led to the development of a thriving refractory industry during the 19th century. Although decorative products were also made from fireclay, its foremost use was in the manufacture of hear-resistant bricks for lining furnaces and hot blast stoves. The top quality clay that was mined in and around Glenboig ensured that the village rapidly developed as a centre for brick-making. By the beginning of this century [20th] the world famous Glenboig Union Fireclay Company [comprising the "Old" Works and Star Works] was producing an astonishing 250,000 bricks a day." Any assistance would be very much appreciated. My husband's family are MacLellans from Inverness who came to Australia in 1853. Kindest regards, Jen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jennifer Lambert Tracey HERITAGE ARCHAEOLOGY Archaeological & Heritage Assessment Consultants PO Box 4265 KINGSTON ACT 2604 AUSTRALIA Tel / Fax: (02) 6295 6795 Mobile Tel: 0419 011 860 http://www.heritagearchaeology.com.au ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hello Jen The history of the fireclay works at Glenboig is told in "The Scottish Refractory Industry 1830-1980" by K.W. Sanderson (privately published, 1990) ISBN 0 9515625 0 9. This draws much of its material from a thesis by J. Harold (Glenboig Union Fireclay Co. Ltd, 1882-1921) for the University of Strathclyde 1972. The Glenboig works seems to have originated about 1836, eventually being controlled by Thompson, McClean & Co. The prime mover in the foundation of the Star Works was James Dunnachie (1835-1921), who had previously been employed by Thompson, McLean & Co. When one of the partners died in 1865, together with two partners he formed the Glenboig Fireclay Co. to take over the works. In 1872 the partnership broke up, and Dunnachie set up the Star Works as Dunnachie & Co., with two new partners. However, the original partners came together again in 1882 to form the Glenboig Union Fireclay Co Ltd, in which Dunnachie became the leading light. There is an engraving of the Star Works in the book. The Company became part of General Refractories Ltd. in 1936. There is also a very interesting booklet "Garnkirk Fire-Clay" by G. Quail (Strathkelvin Libraries, 1985) ISBN 0 904966 15 1 although it does not deal with the Star Works. It would seem, therefore, that the Star Works dates from about 1872, although fireclay working in Glenboig dates from about 1836. I hope this is of some help. Russell Wear