Margaret E Macculloch & David J Hall Family History Research - Parramatta, New South Wales Australia

Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

'Today, suburban Parramatta is a city in its own right and the heartland of Sydney's vast metropolitan area, but almost 200 years ago the settlement was an outpost of Sydney Town, according to 'T'homas Cook Travellers Sydney and New South Wales', 2nd edition (1998) published by the AA. It is the 'nation's second oldest settlement was founded I November 1788, just a few months after the arrival of the First Fleet. Initial delight at the discovery of Port Jackson's fine harbour turned to disappointment with the realisation that the soil was poor and rocky. The fate of the colony depended on fertile farming land, and this was found west of Sydney Cove, at the head of the Parramatta River, which flowed into Port Jackson'