Epidemics and Outbreaks Collection

This collection consists of a curated selection of digitised items related to epidemic and disease outbreaks in Sydney between 1860 and 1930.

The items in this collection are mostly correspondence between the City’s Inspector of Nuisances, the City Health Officer, the Town Clerk, and the NSW Board of Health as well as letters and petitions from police and citizens. It reflects the concerns and responsibilities of authorities during significant disease outbreaks – identification of cases, sanitation, disruption to work and civic life and quarantine.

Select one of the tiles below to explore selected records relating to individual diseases. For files you will need to scroll through the file to see all relevant content.  

See the COVID 19 Pandemic Collection for photographs and videos of the City of Sydney local area during the 2020 pandemic. To find more items relating to outbreaks and epidemics in Sydney, try the search tool.