Negative Search Log

This material now lives at https://fcg.bucklerfamily.estate/case/negative-search-log.

Purpose

Record negative searches so that “not found” is auditable rather than assumed.

For every search record

• Custodian/institution and responsible office
• Date searched and systems/series searched
• Names, geographic variants, dates and reference numbers used
• Repositories, databases and physical holdings checked
• Restrictions or exclusions
• Found/not found result
• Searcher’s explanation and completeness assessment
• Alternative custodian or duplicate route
• Preservation/destruction/transfer follow-up

Closure rule: a nil result is not final while a credible alternative holding, retention explanation or transfer trail remains open.

Change history is maintained on the Master Change Log; no separate page-local version footer is maintained.