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.

“Balls & All”, the shelf

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

385 records matching 100 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 1870s
13 Nov 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 21 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
14 Feb 1880
THE BANK RETURNS. (Evening Post, 14 February 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1880
OAMARU. (Timaru Herald, 09 September 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1880
THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON. (Wanganui Herald, 10 September 1880) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1881
CRICKET. (Otago Daily Times, 21 February 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Wanganui Herald, 07 November 1881) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHI- (Otago Daily Times, 11 April 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 15 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 25 May 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Jun 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Oct 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 20 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1883
THE DUST NUISANCE. (Evening Post, 08 November 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 27 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1884
CATHOLIC CEREMONIES AT WELLINGTON. (New Zealand Tablet, 21 March 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1884
OUR CANTERBURY LETTER. (Otago Daily Times, 28 June 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1884
CRICKET. (Otago Witness, 28 June 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1885
SPORTING HEWS. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1885
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1885. (West Coast Times, 24 December 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
THE SYDENHAM ELECTION, (Evening Post, 17 May 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1886
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 26 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1887
SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS. (Auckland Star, 16 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jul 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 17 July 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1889. (West Coast Times, 10 September 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Nov 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 29 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Dec 1889
A TRIP TO THE EXHIBITION (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 December 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1890
NOTES ON A CHRISTCHURCH TRIP. (Otago Witness, 15 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1890
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jan 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 31 January 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 02 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1891
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 07 March 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Ellesmere Guardian, 01 July 1891) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Ellesmere Guardian, 04 July 1891) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Ellesmere Guardian, 08 July 1891) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 19 September 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1892
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 03 December 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 09 September 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 10 March 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1894
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1894
MRS HUMPHRY WARD'S "MARCELLA." (Otago Witness, 13 September 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1894
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 20 October 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1895
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 May 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Aug 1895
THE STUDENTS OF TRUTH. (Taranaki Herald, 14 August 1895) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1895
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1896
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 14 May 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Oct 1896
ATHLETIC NOTES. (Auckland Star, 31 October 1896) Auckland Star · 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
1 Jul 1897
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 01 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 30 December 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 January 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 29 June 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Dec 1898
NOTES BY SLIP. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Dec 1898
HAWKE'S BAY v. WELLINGTON. (Star, 28 December 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1899
LoOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 May 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1899
HEROIC DEEDS. (Wanganui Herald, 29 June 1899) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1899
UPPER HOUSE REFORIM. (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 August 1899) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1899
GOLF. (Otago Witness, 31 August 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
4 Jan 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1900
ANGLING. (Otago Witness, 18 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
17 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times 17-4-1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1900
Untitled (Otago Witness, 05 December 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1900
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 14-12-1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1901
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times 29-1-1901) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1901
ORICKET. (Otago Witness, 17 April 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1902
Untitled (Mataura Ensign 18-3-1902) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jun 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Colonist, 14 June 1902) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1902
GOLF. (Star, 09 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Feb 1903
out Door Sports (Observer, 21 February 1903) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
14 Mar 1903
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 March 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1903
SPORT AND PASTIME. (Evening Post, 14 March 1903) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1903
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK (Otago Witness, 01 July 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Oct 1903
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISEORNE. TUESDAY, OCT. 27, 1903. (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 October 1903) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1903
Lawn Tennis, (Evening Post, 28 November 1903) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Dec 1903
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 11 December 1903) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1905
CHAPTER IX. (Otago Witness, 31 May 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places

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.

“Balls & All”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch