Kirjahaku

This is a summary of the introduction written by Janice.In March 2000 I began identifying those who were buried in the cemetery of St. John's Anglican Church Camden. This meant researching not only their date of death but their backgrounds, as far as possible, before they came to the colony of New South Wales. I was assisted by local families who shared their knowledge of their forebears and by Church burial records which provided additional insight.By the time that listing was complete I had identified three men who had taken part in the Napoleonic Wars - including one who had served in the Royal Navy during the Battle of Trafalgar. At that time, I was satisfied that I had identified all the men that had participated in wars before arriving in the colony. As I continued with my database and to delve deeper into the histories of early burials in the Macarthur region, I identified others who had participated in not only the Napoleonic Wars but also other conflicts.An article appearing in the Camden News in July 1897, and sent me again delving into the history of Camden's early settlers. Following the completion of my work into Camden's World War I Diggers I looked further into the early colonists who had lived, and in many cases died, in the greater Camden area and had military connections. I identified other military men, and found that the Camden News was incorrect with respect to Captain Hovell's connection with Camden's military past.William Hilton Hovell had been born on 26 April 1766 Yarmouth, Norfolk, England and gone to sea as a boy. By 1808 he was in command of a vessel trading with South America.12 In November 1811 he applied for permission to settle in the colony of New South Wales but did not arrive until 9 October 1813 on the Earl Spencer. Shortly after arrival he applied for a 600 acre (243 ha) land grant in the Cowpastures at Narellan which he called Narellan Grove. The Deed was not issued until 1816.Hovell is credited with discovering the Burragorang Valley in 1823, and in 1824, together with Hamilton Hume, explored the area between Lake George and Bass Strait, before settling in the Goulburn district.Back in 2000, local resident Mrs. Shirley Rorke challenged me to look not only at prominent landowners, such as John Macarthur, but also the butchers, the bakers and labourers, and told me about her ancestor, Jesse Dunk. Jesse's story started me delving into the history of the ordinary people who had led extraordinary lives.It has been a fascinating journey. Many of the early colonists who had lived and worked in the Camden district had connections with our military past. Some came in chains, others arrived as free settlers and others were part of the various military regiments that came to the colony. Undoubtedly there are many I have not been able to identify and so I apologise to any whose ancestors I have omittedJanice

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 lostThis 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 [email protected]

If gravestones could talk what stories they could tell of those who lie beneath, stories of the people who helped shape the township of Camden as we know it today. Of good times and bad times, of tragedies, accidents, of those who had helped build the town and had been part of the community. Of those that had triumphed out of adversity, of the people who worked to build a new life in a colony on the opposite side of the world from where they were born; people of many nationalities. Some had come in chains, others had fled poverty in the hope that the new land would give them opportunities to prosper. Varying circumstances had brought them to this land. Some had been transported as convicts, and others had come as part of the military establishment. Poverty in the land of their birth had encouraged others to face the dangers of a long sea voyage and seek a new life in the Colony. Some had been engaged by landowners such as the Macarthurs because of the skills they could provide.Late in 2007, I began to prepare a comprehensive listing of those who were buried in St. John's Cemetery using the old Burial Registers and a plan of the Cemetery. It was not until just before Easter 2008 that I began to understand how important it was to know not only the names of those buried there, but who the people in each of the graves were.Tantalising comments in Burial Registers and on gravestones encouraged and challenged me to unlock the stories behind them, "Fell from a window at the Plough and Harrow;" "Run over by own bullock team;" "Killed by a maniac at Camden Park" were just some of the examples. The stories began to emerge from old newspapers and other documents; the gravestones began to speak.This is primarily about some of those buried in the churchyard, about the formation of the town of Camden and building the church. Of people from England, Europe and the Pacific islands who were brought here in chains or undertook the perilous journey to a new life. Of their descendants, many took up the challenge and prospered, others did not meet their full potential as a result of accidents. Others cherished the freedom this land offered and paid the ultimate sacrifice by defending this land in time of war.Resources for the stories are old newspapers, coroner's inquests, letters held in the State Archives and memorials within the church or churchyard. Whether it is in the stained glass windows of the church, on the gravestones in the churchyard, or in tantalising comments in the Burial Registers, the lives of many are told here. Less than half the graves have gravestones or memorial plaques, and many of those are slowly fading and the stones crumbling. All known inscriptions have been recorded and are included.So often, we neglect our old cemeteries looking on them as faded, crumbling stone that have no relevance in our modern world. The people in the cemetery at St. John's may have been forgotten, but their stories give us a fascinating insight into our early history and the people who formed this township. Their descendants still call Camden home and are proud of their heritage and what their forebears achieved.

A is for Arctic... and the adventure begins Travel fromA to Z through Finland in this playful and educational alphabet book designed for curious young readers, global families, and little explorers. Finland ABCs introduces the alphabet while uncovering the hidden wonders of a beautiful northern country filled with snowy landscapes, rich nature, cozy traditions, and quiet magic. This book helps children build early literacy skills while developing curiosity about different cultures and a growing sense of global citizenship, making it perfect for expat families, travel-loving parents, and classrooms around the world. Each letter invites readers to explore Finland's unique environment, wildlife, and way of life in a way that feels warm, welcoming, and fun. Whether you're living abroad, traveling the world, or simply looking for a meaningful alphabet book that goes beyond the basics, Finland ABCs blends learning, travel, and cultural discovery into one engaging reading experience. It encourages global awareness, supports letter recognition and early literacy, and celebrates nature, adventure, and life in Finland. Ideal for readers ages 0-7.

I Love Finland: Explore the Land of a Thousand Lakes with Lumi Join Lumi on a journey through the forests, lakes, and quiet magic of Finland. From enjoying warm salmon soup in Helsinki to exploring snowy adventures in Lapland, I Love Finland invites young readers to discover the beauty of nature, explore new cultures, and see the world through curious eyes. Perfect for children and families who love travel and learning about different countries. This beautifully illustrated book introduces Finland's landscapes, traditions, and everyday wonders in a way that feels calm, engaging, and joyful. Whether you're sharing Finnish heritage, dreaming of Nordic adventures, or simply encouraging curiosity about the world through global citizenship education, I Love Finland is a heart-warming celebration of place, culture, and childhood wonder.