How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 records about Christchurch, every one linked at the provider that keeps the original.

How far back does the archive reach?

1800, the oldest record on file.

Where do the records come from?

30 collections: council archives, Papers Past, DigitalNZ’s partners, cemetery registers, the heritage list itself. The shelf says what exists and where it lives.

Are these documents verified?

They are leads and citations, not evidence, a record says a document exists and where to read it. What a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it; those readings live on the place pages.

“"Scarborough"”, the shelf

Every record the archive holds about Christchurch, the oldest first. The originals live at the provider each row links to.

311 records matching 92 of these 100 with their text read Papers Past · Canterbury Stories · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Te Papa Collections Online · National Publicity Studios black and white file prints · TAPUHI · Canterbury Museum · Auckland Museum Collections · New Zealand Gazette · Digital Public Library of America · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Flickr · Hocken Digital Collections · Museums Victoria · Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photograph Collection · Wellington City Council Archives · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Christchurch City Libraries Heritage Images Collection · Lincoln University Living Heritage: Tikaka Tuku Iho · Flickr · Radio New Zealand · Alexander Turnbull Library Flickr · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki · Te Hikoi Museum · iNaturalist NZ — Mātaki Taiao · Manawatū Heritage · Canterbury Photography Museum · Akaroa Museum · Hawke's Bay Museum

the 1880s
25 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 29 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 10 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 28 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 31 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 10 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 13 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 16 September 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 17 September 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1886
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Star, 21 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 17 November 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 12 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 13 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1887
AUSTRALIA." (Evening Post, 24 November 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
FOOTBALL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1888
Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1888. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." GOOD ADVICE. Local and General Intelligence. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1888) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
5 Jun 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 June 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jun 1892
BY MAZEPPA. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1892
THE GENERAL ELECTION. (Otago Witness, 14 July 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1897
REVISED CRICKET RECORDS. (Otago Witness, 03 June 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Oct 1897
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCT 12, 1897. THE ENGINEERS' STRIKE. (West Coast Times, 12 October 1897) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Tuapeka Times, 16 October 1897) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 11 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 20 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 21 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 22 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 23 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 24 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 28 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 30 June 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 01 July 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1898
Page 45 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 04 August 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 12 September 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1898
Page 17 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 22 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1899
Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1899. (Manawatu Herald, 22 June 1899) Manawatu Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1899
REPRESENTATIVE MATCHES. (Auckland Star, 02 September 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
Sumner by Aldersley, David James, 1862-1928 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
24 Feb 1900
By Crackshot.] RACING FIXTURES. THE TURF. (Evening Post, 24 February 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
10 Oct 1900
THE GENERAL ELECTION. (Otago Witness, 10 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1901
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES (Star, 02 November 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1902
CATHEDRAL ORGANIST. (Auckland Star, 26 April 1902) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1905
NOTES AND QUERIES. (Otago Witness, 22 February 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1905
EXPRESS PASSENGER LIST. (Star, 18 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Herald, 08 February 1906) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1907
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 21 August 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1907
THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1907
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 09 November 1907) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1908
Untitled (Star, 08 July 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1909
DEATHS. (Evening Post, 12 February 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1909
AWATERE ROAD BOARD. (Marlborough Express, 17 November 1909) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1910s
1 Jan 1910
Sumner by Aldersley, David James, 1862-1928 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1910
View of the township of Sumner, near Christchurch TAPUHI · Alexander Turnbull Library · about 2 places
30 Nov 1910
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 November 1910) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1911
THIRTY-SEVEN YEARS SINCE (Ashburton Guardian, 16 February 1911) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1912
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 03 January 1912) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1915
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Colonist, 06 March 1915) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1915
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 17 May 1915) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1917
Garden city of the Dominion. Leaves 23 to 24Christchurch, New Zealand: a pictorial souvenir of the Dominion's garden city Christchurch, New Zealand : the garden city of the Dominion · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
14 Mar 1917
WELLINGTON RECRUITING DISTRICT (No. 5) (Evening Post, 14 March 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1917
WELLINGTON RECRUITING DISTRICT (No. 5) (Evening Post, 06 June 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Sept 1917
15000 MEN CALLED UP (Evening Post, 03 September 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Oct 1917
FIRST DIVISION (Evening Post, 02 October 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
8 Feb 1918
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 08 February 1918) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jun 1918
WOMAN MISSING. (Ashburton Guardian, 21 June 1918) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1918
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Colonist, 10 July 1918) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1919
Page 15 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 08 February 1919) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 Sept 1919
MARRIAGES. (Evening Post, 17 September 1919) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1920s
1 Jan 1920
Scarborough Hill Notebook · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1920
Scarborough Hill [negative mounted in notebook], page 49 Notebook · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1920
Hilda Mary Heckler, Scarborough Hill [negative mounted in notebook], page 50 Notebook · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1920
Hilda Mary Heckler, Scarborough Hill Notebook · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
11 Feb 1920
Page 12 Advertisements Column 9 (Evening Post, 11 February 1920) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jan 1921
School Excursion (Ellesmere Guardian, 08 January 1921) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read

Most of these originals are not republishable here, the link goes to the provider that keeps them. A search result is a lead, not evidence: what a document actually says is only claimed once somebody has read it, and those readings live on the place pages.

“"Scarborough"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch