Accessing ADB Files

The 11,000 working files, created by staff over the last 50 years while editing Australian Dictionary of Biography entries, are a valuable resource for anyone wanting to undertake further research on the individuals who have entries in the ADB. As well as containing birth, death and marriage certificates, the files include copies of published obituaries, profiles, oral history interviews, and newspaper clippings gathered by ADB staff. Some files also contain school and university records, war service records, unpublished eulogies and reminiscences, and correspondence with family members.

Those wishing to consult a file should contact the ANU Archives. Please provide the full name (as given in the heading of the ADB entry) of the ADB file you wish to consult, including the subject’s birth and death years (to distinguish between individuals with the same name). The files are held in the Archives’ warehouse so at least a day’s notice is needed for retrieval. 

ANU Archives contact details:
Hrs of Opening: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday 
Tel (02) 6125 2219
Fax: (02) 6125 0140
Email: university.archives@anu.edu.au
Location: ANU Archives 
Menzies Building 2
Fellows Road
Australian National University ACT 0200

* Please note. Neither the ADB nor the ANU Archives has the resources to consult files on your behalf. If you are unable to visit the ANU Archives you might like to consider hiring a researcher. The Archives maintains a List of Professional Researchers.