Basics on Australian Biographical & Genealogical Record (ABGR)

The ABGR was established by SAG in 1982 as a non-profit, independent research unit, to coordinate and compile biographical and genealogical details about early Australians. The project initially worked to publish a series of reference volumes as a contribution to the celebration of Australia's bicentenary in 1988.

Seven volumes were published in this series:

• 1800-1802 Musters & Lists - NSW & Norfolk Island * - published 1988
• 1805-1806 Musters of NSW & Norfolk Island * - published 1989
• 1811 General Musters of NSW, Norfolk Island & Van Diemen's Land - published 1987
• 1814 General Muster of NSW - published 1987
• 1822 General Muster & Land and Stock Muster of NSW * - published 1988
• 1823, 1824, 1825 General Muster List of NSW * - published 2000
• 1837 General Return of Convicts in NSW - published 1988

In addition, the project aimed to publish a 'pocket biography' on each person who was born or who arrived in Australia before 1842. These were to be sourced in two ways - information submitted from descendants and other interested persons; and compiled by the project from appropriate source records.

The latter part of the project relied heavily upon obtaining some funding for the project from the Australian Bicentennial Authority. However, despite much effort, no such funding was obtained, and this part of the project therefore relied wholly upon submissions from descendants etc. Because it became necessary to charge for publication of these pocket biographies, many contributors did not publish details of more than a few of their early Australian ancestors.

Nonetheless, four volumes of pocket biographies were published, many accompanied by photographs. Careful editorial control sought to ensure that all biographies were well researched and presented in a consistent style.

• Volume 1 of Series 2 (arrivals/births 1842-1899) - published 1985
• Volume 2 of Series 2 * - published 1987
• Volume 3 of Series 2 * - published 1989
• Volume 1 of Series 1 (arrivals/births before 1842, plus a supplement to the Series 2 volumes) * - published 1991

Of the eleven volumes listed above, seven (marked * above) remain in print and can be found in our online bookshop by searching for "ABGR". Most major libraries hold a full set. However, the legacy of the ABGR extends far beyond these volumes. Biographies that were submitted to the ABGR but not published, together with various finding aids, shipping lists, etc compiled as part of the project, are available to researchers in our collections. For instance, over 2,900 individuals submitted approximately 50,000 biographical detail forms, all now part of our Primary Records collection.

We have now decided to expand upon and publish some of this reference material, applying the same high editorial standards used in the eleven volumes above. Researchers will benefit through new and reliable indexes to source records, which we will make available on the Internet in due course.

We will also continue to capture original source records, concentrating on new material and making the results available electronically to researchers.

Records already captured in part or in full include:

• NSW convict transportation records - full details from all available series of transportation records to 1812 have now been produced on a CD-ROM. Indents to 1816 have also been captured.
• Musters 1800-1837 (the seven volumes listed above)
• Norfolk Island Musters & Lists 1792-1809
• Free passengers arriving in Sydney 1826-1842. Checking work for the period 1826-1837 (over 12,000 persons) commenced early in 2003, and a CD for this period is expected before the end of 2003. The records captured come from ALL available series of passenger records, not just the main lists. All details of each individual will be included on the CD.
  More volunteers to assist in this checking work are required, at the offices of State Records NSW, Kingswood - to volunteer or obtain further info, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Early Sydney & Parramatta Baptisms, Marriages & Burials
• Census of NSW 1828
• Muster of Van Diemen's Land 1821.

Our progress towards these objectives will be highlighted here from time to time.