City of Sydney Historian, Dr Lisa Murray, has recently released a fantastic field-guide to Sydney’s cemeteries. Published by NewSouth Books, Sydney Cemeteries: A field guide is the ultimate handbook for exploring Sydney’s cemeteries – from crowded inner-city plots to spacious burial grounds in semi-rural spots.
Cemeteries are not simply places for the dead – they are designed for the living. Visiting cemeteries to admire the headstones and enjoy their park-like spaces was once a Sydney tradition. Sydney Cemeteries: A field guide encapsulates the history and heritage of Sydney’s public cemeteries, pointing out what’s unique or different about each one and listing notable and notorious burials. It also lets you in on a few secrets, like how to decode monument styles and decipher symbols on headstones.
Dr Murray spoke about her fascinating new book with James Valentine on 702 ABC Sydney on Monday afternoon. Click here to listen to the recording, or follow the link below. Dr Murray also presented two talks during History Week 2016: Neighbours, one with History Council member Ashfield Library, and the other with our member Fairfield City Museum & Gallery. The staff at Ashfield made a recording of the talk, which you can listen to here, or at the link below.
Image courtesy NewSouth Books.
Dear Sir / Madam,
I am curious to learn of the principal cemeteries for interment in the Sydney Inner area for deaths that occurred in or near the Five Docks area during the early to late 1960’s
I am from another state and finding many of my relatives is most difficult when I am not familiar with the names & places of cemeteries in the inner city area
Hoping you can assist me here,
Kind regards,
Geoffrey Hayes
Hi Geoffrey, thanks for your comment. We’ll pass your query on to Lisa to see if she has any info for you! Cheers, Amy.