Blue Mountains wilderness historian Andy Macqueen is the guest speaker at the Hawkesbury Family History Group meeting on Wednesday 11 September. His topic relates to his recent publication, The Frenchman: Francis Barrallier, life and journeys 1773-1853.
Francis Louis Barrallier was born in 1773, the son of a French naval surveyor. He arrived in Sydney in 1800, accompanying Governor Philip Gidley King. A talented engineer, surveyor and cartographer, Barrallier made a name for himself, exploring and surveying in the colony, particularly around the Hunter Valley and Blue Mountains. Unfortunately, his time in the colony was brief, as he became a casualty in the dispute between Governor King and the officers of the Rum Corps. Barrallier left the colony but went on to have a successful military career and died in London in 1853.
With Andy's passion for the environment and interest in history, he has written six books relating to the cultural and environmental history of the wider Blue Mountains including books on the Grose Valley and the Wollemi plus others about local explorers and surveyors. His books are available to borrow through Hawkesbury Library Service.
Copies of the book will be on sale after the meeting. This event starts at 10am and is free. It will be held at Hawkesbury Central Library, 300 George Street Windsor, and there is no need to book. If you are unable to attend in person, you can attend via Zoom and bookings are necessary. Go to Eventbrite https://hawkesburylibrary.eventbrite.com/ or phone staff on 4560 4460.
