Aboriginal Biographical Index
The Aboriginal Biographical Index (ABI) is a personal name index created by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS). It indexes biographical information of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people mentioned in material, such as books, magazines and newspapers, found in their collections. The vast majority of the resources listed on the ABI are also found in our collections at the State Library of NSW.
How to search the index
First search the index online which will provide you with the location details to view the record in its source (book, magazine, newspaper, etc.).
- STEP 1
Search the index
Type the name of the person you are searching into the search box on the 'Aboriginal Biographical Index' page of the AIATSIS website. Type the surname followed by the first name, e.g. Briggs Rita.
- STEP 2
Click Go. If there is only one record in the index for the person you are searching, you will go straight to the catalogue record for this person.
If there is more than one record in the index, you will get a list of search results. Search through the list and select the most relevant one by clicking on View details. This will take you to the catalogue record for this person.
- STEP 3
- The catalogue record will supply you with some family information about the person you are searching and places, languages and groups associated with this person. It will also give you the source in which the record can be viewed, as well as the page number(s) where the person is mentioned. Note down the source details.
- STEP 4
View the record
To view the record in its source (book, magazine, newspaper, etc.):
- search our Catalogue to see if we hold the source and then visit our reading rooms
- visit the AIATSIS Library
- search Trove to see if any libraries near you hold the source.
