Abstract: A system and method for indexing and searching a free format data source is provided. Indexing the free format data source includes normalizing data from the free format data source and creating a master index based on the normalized data. The master index may be updated through synchronization with the free format data source when a change in the data occurs. A search query may be executed against the master index and/or one or more child indexes to search for records. The search query may be normalized and transformed before being executed. The master index may be replicated into the one or more child indexes for scaling and load balancing purposes. Searches may be performed by search agents in parallel at the master index and/or the child indexes.