Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Australia New South Wales  Sydney

Sydney is the state capital city of New South Wales and the largest city in Australia. In 1770 the great harbour was discovered but not explored by Captain James Cook who named it Port Jackson. A penal convict colony was planned by the British authorities at Botany Bay but, on arrival in 1788, Captain (later Vice Admiral) Arthur Phillip, the first governor of New South Wales decided on starting the settlement at Port Jackson. He named the site Sydney Cove after Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney, the British home secretary. After time, the word Cove was dropped from the placename.

History
Founded orginally as a colony in 1788.

Maps
1833 Map of Sydney: Courtesy of London Ancestors,