Verbleibsgeschichte

Verbleibsgeschichte is a German term used to describe the narrative and documentary record of the known whereabouts and movements of a person, object, or document over time. The concept focuses on the sequence of locations, changes of custody, and the state of an item from its origin to its last verifiable point, or to the present if still unresolved.

In archival science and provenance research, the Verbleibsgeschichte refers to the chain of custody and the documentation that demonstrates where an item has been kept, loaned, or transferred. In art history and archaeology, it intersects with provenance research (Provenienzforschung), tracing how a work or artifact moved through collections, dealers, or excavation contexts, and how that movement affects attribution and authenticity. In criminology and journalism, it describes the narrative surrounding a missing person or sought object—what is known about the last known location, subsequent sightings or searches, and gaps in information.

Methodologically, constructing a Verbleibsgeschichte relies on primary sources such as inventory records, archive catalogs, shipment logs, notarized documents, and field reports, as well as secondary sources like catalogs and prior research. It requires critical evaluation of sources for reliability and completeness, explicit notation of uncertainties, and precise dating of events and transfers.

Significance lies in its usefulness for establishing provenance, supporting authentication, guiding investigations, and improving transparency in reporting about missing persons or artifacts. The concept supports careful reconstruction of trajectories while acknowledging gaps and limits of available evidence.