The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
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Japanese Antarctic expedition camp at Parsley Bay 1911
A member of the Japanese expedition in the camp at Parsley Bay soon after arrival with the expedition's only surviving dog, Daily Telegraph, 13 May 1911, p15 23 June 2021 The extraordinary occurrence of Japanese Antarctic explorers camped at Parsley Bay may…
A matter of life and death – the coroner in New South Wales
17 June 2021 The role of the coroner in New South Wales has existed for 234 years – longer, in fact, than the state itself. On 2 April 1787, Governor Arthur Phillip was granted the powers ‘to constitute and appoint justices…
Fanmail for Mr Bertie
The Dictionary of Sydney is all about making Sydney's history accessible, interesting and popular. If Charles H Bertie was alive today, he'd be right into the Dictionary of Sydney. Charles H Bertie, 1925-1927, City of Sydney Archives (NSCA CRS 54/129) Listen…
Dyarubbin
Dorumbolooa, Sackville Reach June 2018, photo by Grace Karskens Most people feel familiar with the Hawkesbury, one of Sydney’s most recognisable rivers, but how much do they really know? Listen to Marika and Wilamina on 2SER here The Hawkesbury River, known as…
A huge crowd for a hanging: the end of John Knatchbull
Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (923.41/K67/2) One of my very favourite letters in the collections of the State Library of NSW was written by a wool merchant by the name of Joseph Whitehead. In an 1838 letter to his uncle…
The Archibald Prize
JF Archibald between 1910-19. Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW ( P1/2150) The Archibald Prize is quintessentially Sydney - bold, controversial, and tinged with celebrity. The annual portraiture prize was established by a benefactor, JF Archibald, and the first prize was…
Kia ora!
Detail from 'The town of Sydney in New South Wales' showing Māori chiefs, c1821 by Major James Taylor, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (V1/ca.1821/5 DETAIL]) New Zealand and New South Wales were once one colony, but on 3 May 1841…
The Hermits of Killarney Heights
Portrait photo of Stefan Pietroszys attached to Australian Immigration file 1947, National Archives of Australia (PP15/1 1953/64/1305) The picturesque suburb of Killarney Heights at Middlehead was a popular picnic destination named after Killarney in Ireland. However, 41 years ago it became…
Joseph Fowles
George street and Charlotte Place, in 'Sydney in 1848 : illustrated by copper-plate engravings of its principal streets, public buildings, churches, chapels, etc.' from drawings by Joseph Fowles, Dixson Library, State Library of NSW (DL Q84/56) Joseph Fowles was by way…
![342. Bradley, S & E [Samuel and Easter. Mary Martin] (B13)](/sites/default/files/styles/max_325x325/public/featured_images/SLNSW_ON146_342.jpg?itok=BqDfF_qe)
Brutality at Birch Grove
Headstone of Samuel and Esther Bradley, Devonshire Street Cemetery c1901, Ethel Foster, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW (ON146/342) Research on the epitaph on a tombstone in Sydney's old Devonshire Street Cemetery led to the shocking story of the deaths of…