Camden and its adjoining regions are rapidly changing. There are housing developments and shopping centres where there were green pastures and cattle only a decade ago. Sydney's urban sprawl is now on our doorstep. Our rural landscape has been irrevocably changed. New names have been given to well-known places and landmarks.
The first edition of this book drew together the knowledge of many members of the Camden Historical Society, the Camden Area Family History Society and information from the archives of both organisations. This revised edition includes the previous information, in some instances amended, and maps held by Camden Historical Society that show where the grants were given and properties established.
In scrutinising the maps, additional properties have been identified and their history checked. Land grants have also been verified. Many of the place names listed are obscure or were the names of properties or houses that no longer exist. Some names are no longer in general use, and some are now known to only a few people. From personal experience, we understand that a name or one word can be remembered from childhood, or a locality may be mentioned on birth, marriage, or death certificates. The dates shown after a person's name are their dates of birth and death, if known.
Originals of the maps included in this book may be inspected at the map cabinet of the Camden Museum Archives and include both Parish Maps and Land Sale Maps. Each provides a wealth of information. Readers are also encouraged to use the Google search engine, where it is possible to locate street addresses and photos of a property.
By recording the place names in this book, it is hoped that the names and their meanings will be preserved for future researchers. An index of landowners, tenants, and others has also been provided in this edition to further aid researchers.
The assistance of residents in providing information on properties and their tenants is gratefully acknowledged. Without the knowledge provided by John Burge, Len English, Annette Macarthur-Onslow, Richard Nixon and Joy Thorn, some places might have been forgotten, or their heritage lost
This second edition has been dramatically improved by research undertaken by the late Janice Johnson. She made a provision in her will to pay for publishing this edition. Other Camden Historical Society members contributing to this edition include Robert Lester, Robert Wheeler, and Julie Wrigley. The Society thanks Fletcher Joss and Egarag Pty Ltd for editing Janice's publication.
Readers who wish to suggest corrections or additions should put them in writing and contact the Secretary of the Camden Historical Society, 40 John Street, Camden, 2570 or by email at secretary@camdenhistory.org.au
