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Welcome to the project site for the Dictionary of Sydney

We are building an exciting and innovative new set of resources covering every aspect of the history of Sydney. You'll be able to access it soon through a new website but also using other methods as new technological possibilities arise.  This project site allows you to follow and participate in the development of the Dictionary of Sydney as it evolves.

If it happened in Sydney, then it belongs in the Dictionary. We have already commissioned entries on all of Sydney's suburbs, essays on a range of themes in Sydney's history, essays on Sydney's many ethnic communities, and entries on everything from bridges to bird species, crimes to carvings. The Dictionary covers the whole of the Sydney basin, from the earliest human habitation to the present.  It will contain images, sound, film, documents and maps, as well as new scholarship, research and bibliographies.

Sydney's historians, researchers and writers are donating their time and expertise and writing for the Dictionary right now. Our technical and editorial staff are preparing the software and the content. We hope you will explore this site, find out what's going on, discover how you can participate and watch the Dictionary of Sydney grow.

University of SydneyUniversity of Technology, SydneyCity of SydneyState Records New South WalesState Library of New South Wales

News Highlights

31-March-2008
New source of aerial photography Sydney company Airview Aerial Photography has offered the Dictionary the use of many of its beautiful images - a development that will significantly enhance the visual richness of the Dictionary.

13-March-2008
Introducing the Sydney Journal The first issue of Sydney Journal was launched on 12 March 2008 and is available online at UTS ePress. Sydney Journal is an academic history journal which forms a part of the Dictionary of Sydney project.

Did You Know?

Sydneysider, Annette Kellermann is best remembered as the first woman to attempt to swim the English Channel. Also for being arrested in Boston in 1907 for wearing a one piece skirtless bathing suit.