How many records does the archive hold?

66,408 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.

“Little Merchants”, the shelf

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

411 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 1880s
22 Apr 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Sept 1884
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 05 September 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 18 October 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1884
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 October 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 May 1885
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1885
The Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15,1855. (Inangahua Times, 15 July 1885) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1885
FORMER EXHIBITIONS. THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION OF 1865. (Evening Post, 03 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · 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
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1886
THE PROGRESS OF THE CITY OF AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND, AND ITS PROSPECTS. (Waikato Times, 28 August 1886) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 November 1886) Star · 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
23 May 1887
MONDAY, MAY 23, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 23 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 21 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Feb 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 26 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Aug 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1889
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 28 August 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
the 1890s
21 Jan 1890
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 21 January 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 19 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1890
SABBATH OBSERVANCE. (Auckland Star, 07 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 31 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 September 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1890
FERGUSON'S PATENT PIPE. (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 01 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1892
SPORTING. CHRISTCHURCH RACES (BY TELEGRAPH.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 1. (North Otago Times, 02 April 1892) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 April 1892) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1892
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1892. (Otago Daily Times, 31 May 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Sept 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 September 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1892
LONDON. (Tuapeka Times, 23 November 1892) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 09 May 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 May 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1893
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 11 July 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1893
Local & GeneraL (Star, 18 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Oct 1893
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1894
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1894
LOOAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 15 March 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1894
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 June 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1894
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1894. (Auckland Star, 17 August 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1894
N.Z. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1894
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 September 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 September 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1894
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 16 October 1894) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 March 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1895
LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS. (Otago Witness, 21 March 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1895
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 1895. (West Coast Times, 27 March 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1895
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 12 September 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1895
OTAGO A: AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Mar 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1896
PROHIBITION CONVENTION. (Otago Witness, 09 April 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Sept 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 08 October 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1896
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 21 November 1896) Oxford Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 May 1897
TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. DAIRY INDUSTRY. (Mataura Ensign, 13 May 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN MARKET. (Christchurch Press.) (North Otago Times, 17 May 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 12 June 1897) Oxford Observer · 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
17 Jul 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 17 July 1897) Oxford Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 24 July 1897) Oxford Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 21 August 1897) Oxford Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 02 October 1897) Oxford Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1898
CYCLING. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1898
THE EXHIBITION. (Auckland Star, 13 December 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1899
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1890. (Otago Daily Times, 15 April 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1899
MR A. E. G. RHODES AT PHILLIPSTOWN. (Star, 31 October 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
1 Mar 1900
THE FOURTH CONTINGENT (Otago Witness, 01 March 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1900
CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKET. (Christchurch Press.) (North Otago Times, 02 April 1900) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
26 Apr 1900
DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 26 April 1900) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jul 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 July 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 July 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1900
The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1900. (Taranaki Herald, 30 October 1900) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1900
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 November 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1900
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 November 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1901
The wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1901. A MODEL BOROUGH. (Wanganui Herald, 13 April 1901) Wanganui Herald · 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.

“Little Merchants”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch