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.

“Car City”, the shelf

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

1,120 records matching 99 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 1890s
7 Dec 1899
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 07 December 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
[Forms of transport in Australia and New Zealand] by Victoria. State Rivers and Water Supply Commission photographer. · State Library of Victoria · State Library of Victoria
17 Apr 1900
The Ensign GOEE: TUESDAY, APEIL 17. (Mataura Ensign, 17 April 1900) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1900
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 August 1900) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 September 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 31 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Manawatu Standard, 30 November 1900) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1900
A CHILD ACCUSED OF �� MURDER. BIRTHS. DEATHS. LATEST SHIPPING. LATEST SHIPPING. LYTTELTON. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING. EXPRESS PASSENGER LIST. LOCAL AND GENERAL. CITY EDITION. IMPURE BEER. COMMERCIAL. ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. WRECK OF A STEAMER. ACCIDENTS AND SEA. A BOATING ACCIDENT. DROWNING FATALITY AT NEW BRIGHTON. MINING. LAWN TENNIS. THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA IN PURSUIT OF DE WEST. THE REPULSE OF A BEER ATTACK. OPPERATION IN THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL. THE AMEER ON BRITISH SUCCESSES. ' THE NETHERLAND AND ARBITRATION. RETURNING TROOPS. GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS. DEATH OF TROOPER SMITH. FIRES. THE CRISIS CHINA. A WARNING. AMERICA'S LATEST DECISION. WELLINGTION MANSLAUGHTER CASE. CONFERENCE OF MAORI STUDENTS. THE POSTEL DEPARTMENT. LAND SETTLEMENT. THE JUBILEE EXIBITION. BOWLING. PERSONAL SPORTING. AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH. AUSTRALIA. A SERIES OF CHARGES. SUPREME COURT.. DUNEDIN NEWS. SCHOOL COMMITTEES. OPERA HOUSE. CYCLING. (Star, 07 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1900
THE PROCESSION. (Star, 18 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jan 1901
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD FOR THE YEAR 1900. (Otago Witness, 02 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 March 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 April 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 April 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1901
THE NELSON CELEBRATIONS. (Colonist, 29 June 1901) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Aug 1901
DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURGH. (New Zealand Tablet, 29 August 1901) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 12 September 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1901
HIGH LEVELS TRAMWAY. COMPLETION OF THE SCHEME. " (Evening Post, 05 December 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1901
LOCAL AND. GENERAL. (Star, 24 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1901
OLD WRITERS' WEEK. (Otago Witness, 25 December 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jan 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
3 Mar 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Mar 1902
THE MOA. (Wanganui Herald, 29 March 1902) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1902
The Wanganui Herald. (Wanganui Herald, 03 April 1902) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1902
COSY CORNER CLUB. FOURTH SESSION, SECOND MEETING (Otago Witness, 09 July 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1902
Untitled (Manawatu Standard, 15 September 1902) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1902
RUSSIAN UNREST. (Wanganui Herald, 14 October 1902) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Auckland Star, 29 November 1902) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 10 December 1902) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 January 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1903
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 25 February 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 June 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Aug 1903
COLONIAL INVENTIONS. (Evening Post, 10 August 1903) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
25 Sept 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 September 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1903
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 10 November 1903) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1903
THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1903
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 11 December 1903) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1903
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 December 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1904
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 January 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1904
CYCLING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 27 January 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Feb 1904
TABLE TALK, (Otago Witness, 24 February 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1904
INTERPROVINCIAL (Poverty Bay Herald, 25 February 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1904
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 26 February 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1904
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Mar 1904
NOTES AMD QUERIES. The Otago Witness, THE WEEK. SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES. SHOOTING AT A CHINAMAN SPORTING. TALK OF THE DAY. IN A NUTSHELL CANTERBURY DOINGS. WELLINGTON NOTES. AUCKLAND TOPICS. SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA. (Otago Witness, 23 March 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Apr 1904
COURSING. (Otago Witness, 13 April 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1904
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 5-5-1904) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 14-5-1904) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1904
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 17 May 1904) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 May 1904
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 17-5-1904) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1904
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 18-5-1904) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1904
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 01 June 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1904
THE KENNEL (Otago Witness, 01 June 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1904
ENGLISH TEAM'S N.Z. TOUR. (Observer, 02 July 1904) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 7-5-1904) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 16 August 1904) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1904
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 9-3-1904) Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 October 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 November 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1904
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1904
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1904. (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 December 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Dec 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Nelson Evening Mail, 28 December 1904) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1905
TABLE TALK. MOnday, January IG. (Otago Witness, 18 January 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1905
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY. JAN. 18. 1905. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 January 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 January 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1905
LADIES' GOSSIP. (Otago Witness, 01 February 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1905
EMMELINE'S " COSY CORNER CLUB." (Otago Witness, 10 May 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1905
CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS. (Evening Post, 31 May 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1905
CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS. (Wanganui Chronicle, 07 June 1905) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1905
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 14 June 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1905
CHRISTCHURCH-SUMNER CANAL. (Star, 18 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1905
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 August 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
23 Aug 1905
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 23 August 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1905
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 06 September 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Nov 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Nov 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1905
SHE NEEDED BLOOD. (Star, 07 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Dec 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 December 1905) Star · 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.

“Car City”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch