Just What IS the AGBI, Anyway?

Key points and insights

In this enlightening Webtember 2025 session, “Just What IS the AGBI, Anyway?” genealogist and library director Carol Ansel unraveled the history, scope, and enduring value of the American Genealogical Biographical Index (AGBI)—one of the most ambitious indexing projects in American genealogy. Originating at the Godfrey Memorial Library in Middletown, Connecticut, the AGBI was conceived in the 1930s by visionary librarian Fremont Rider, who sought to compile a “who’s who” of Americans prior to the 20th century. Today, this monumental 226-volume index—expanded to over 6 million entries—serves as a crucial bridge connecting researchers to biographical and genealogical information scattered across thousands of historical publications.

Key Takeaways:

• A Monumental Index Born from Vision and Dedication: The AGBI began as a card file project in 1935, transforming into a vast printed and later digitized index that cataloged data from more than 800 genealogical books and manuscripts. It provides a roadmap to original sources ranging from family histories to local genealogies, published between the 1600s and early 1900s.

• Practical Guidance for Researchers: Ansel demonstrated how to locate and interpret AGBI entries across platforms such as Ancestry, the Godfrey Scholar database, and physical library volumes. She clarified common misconceptions, explained how to decode abbreviations and source citations, and emphasized the importance of following index entries back to their original references for accurate research.

• Expanding Research Horizons: The webinar revealed the AGBI’s breadth—covering all U.S. regions, with particular strength in New England and early colonial records—and its integration with supplemental sources like the Boston Evening Transcript genealogical columns. Ansel also offered expert navigation tips for overcoming obstacles, including missing records, indexing quirks, and copyright restrictions.

Through engaging examples and historical context, Ansel illustrated how Rider’s seemingly modest idea became one of genealogy’s most valuable and enduring research tools. Her presentation underscored the AGBI’s power to guide researchers toward deeper discoveries, reminding viewers that an index is only the beginning—the true insight lies in the original record.

For genealogists eager to harness this remarkable resource, viewing the full webinar provides hands-on demonstrations, search strategies, and case studies that bring the AGBI to life. To further expand your expertise, explore the accompanying syllabus, which includes detailed instructions, key abbreviations, and direct links to digitized sources and archival collections. Unlock the potential of the AGBI and rediscover the forgotten paths that lead to your ancestors’ stories.