Research and Reference Resources

Quick Guide To African American Biographical Database

Find out more about the Black American experience.

Looking for information about African American business people, religious leaders, artists, scientists, or former slaves? Stories that are pivotal to understanding the Black American experience are available in the AABD.

• What is African American Biographical Database?
• How do I access African American Biographical Database?
• What can I use African American Biographical Database for?
• How do I save or print records?

What is African American Biographical Database?

African American Biographical Database is a subscription database that contains biographies of thousands of African Americans. This is the largest historical electronic collection of biographical information on African Americans available. The initial content was derived from Chadwyck-Healey’s Black Biographical Dictionaries 1790-1950, and is continually expanding with added dictionaries, obituary files, slave narrative collections, internet sites and more.

How do I access African American Biographical Database?

Anyone with a LINK library card and access to the Internet can use African American Biographical Database. Access the database here or follow the link to the Online Databases page in LINKcat.

Next, enter your full library card number without the spaces. African American Biographical Database’s main page will come up. Click on “Search” and you are ready to go.

What can I use African American Biographical Database for?

You can use AABD to search for information about people by searching names, occupations, religion, date of birth and more. Full text searching of biographical sources is also available. This enables you to locate mentions of friends and relativives as well as information on geographical areas, political organizations, or other topics you may be interested in.

See some sample questions and how to find the answers:

• Example 1: I am interested in finding out more about African American astronauts. How can I find out more information?
• Example 2: Can I find a list of African American scientists who lived in New York?
• Example 3: I need information about the author Margaret Walker.
• Example 4: I am looking for a senator that I think is listed in the book Negro Office Holders in Virgina, 1865-1895.

How do I save or print records?

You can add book titles or biographical information to a list which you can use to view information or email to yourself or others. When you see a title that interests you, click the box to the left of the item.

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