Between 1850 and 1870 approximately 200 German immigrant families settled in the Clarence Valley of New South Wales. Most of them originated from the South Western States of Germany. Some of these families did not stay in the Clarence River District for longer than a few years, but the majority of them settled permanently, and their descendants are still to be found in plentiful numbers living in and around the Clarence Valley.

This book documents the early history of this community of German Pioneers in Australia. It addresses the questions: Who were they? From where did they come? When did they arrive? Why did they come to the Clarence Valley? Who employed them? What contribution did they make, individually and collectively to the life of the Clarence river District towns and villages?

Part One of the book is devoted to the description and documentation of the role of the German Community in the daily life, commerce and society of a rapidly developing rural town and district.

Part two of the book focuses upon the genealogical aspects of the German immigrants, dealing with 195 families, documenting their origins, arrival details, settlement and occupational pursuits of each of the initial pioneers within this community, including foundational birth, death and marriage details relevant to each family.