How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“Connect”, the shelf

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

432 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 1880s
16 Jul 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1887
The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 18 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 28 November 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (North Otago Times, 15 November 1889) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
22 Apr 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 22 April 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1890
MACKENZIE COUNTY COUNCIL. (Timaru Herald, 10 October 1890) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 01 November 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 04 February 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1891
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 20 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 07 November 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1891
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1891) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1892
Evening Post. SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1892. THE MIDLAND RAILAVAY. (Evening Post, 28 May 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 13 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 15 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 20 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 29 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 05 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 08 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 08 November 1892) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 10 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 06 December 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Dec 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 20 December 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1893
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 14 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1893
Evening Post. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1893. THE REPRESENTATION OF MASTERTON. (Evening Post, 14 February 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1893
Local & General. (Star, 26 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1893
POLITICAL NOTES. (Otago Daily Times, 30 September 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 19 October 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Feb 1894
West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1894. (West Coast Times, 23 February 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1894
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1894
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 September 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Sept 1894
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 September 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1894
Christchurch Ship Canal Scheme (Star, 29 September 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1894
POSTAL NOTICES. SALES BY AUCTION. (West Coast Times, 10 November 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1895
POST OFFICE NOTICES. (Otago Daily Times, 02 July 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1895
THE UNEMPLOYED. (Star, 27 July 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1895
Local & General. (Star, 01 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1896
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 11 January 1896) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Nov 1896
CANTERBURY DOING. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1897
POST OFFICE NOTICES. (Otago Daily Times, 11 January 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 11 February 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Mar 1897
Local and General. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 March 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1897
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1897
Financial Statement. (Nelson Evening Mail, 13 October 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1898
MAIL NOTICES. (Star, 11 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 December 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Ellesmere Guardian, 21 January 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1899
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 March 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1899
BOARD OE EDUCATION. (Star, 12 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Aug 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Aug 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1899
THE TOLL OF THE SEA, (Otago Witness, 30 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
the 1900s
13 Feb 1900
THE Grey River Argus. (Grey River Argus, 13 February 1900) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1900
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 24 February 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1900
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 14 March 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1900
CHRISTCHURCH �� BLENHEIM RAILWAY. (Star, 29 March 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1900
LORD SALISBURY AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE (Auckland Star, 22 June 1900) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1900
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 June 1900) Star · 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
5 Dec 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 05 December 1900) Evening Post · 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
16 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 16 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1901
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1901. (Poverty Bay Herald, 02 July 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Sept 1901
Nelson: SIXTY YEARS OF HISTORY. (Nelson Evening Mail, 07 September 1901) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1901
SYDENHAM AN CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 October 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1901
THE PUBLIC WORKS ESTIMATES. (Otago Witness, 30 October 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 August 1902) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1902
The Midland railway, which will connect Christchurch on the east coast with Hokitika on the west coast, South Island, Lake Brunner in the background Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
23 Dec 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 December 1902) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1903
CHRISTCHURCH (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 17 (Otago Witness, 24 June 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1903
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1903
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 September 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1904
THE Grey River Argus (Grey River Argus, 10 March 1904) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 May 1904
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 May 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1904
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 1904 (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 June 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1904
FRAUDULENT COWS (Manawatu Times, 19 September 1904) Manawatu Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1904
OTAGO LAND BOARD. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
6 Dec 1904
Borough Council. (Ashburton Guardian, 06 December 1904) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1904
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 30 December 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1905
UNDER AORANGI. (Grey River Argus, 06 March 1905) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1905
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY. MAR. 8. 1905. (Poverty Bay Herald, 08 March 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1905
UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION. (Otago Witness, 15 March 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
5 May 1905
NEWS ITEMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 05 May 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 June 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1905
CHRISTCHURCH-SUMNER CANAL. (Star, 18 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1905
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 09 August 1905) Marlborough Express · 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.

“Connect”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch