How many records does the archive hold?

70,536 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.

“Merchant”, the shelf

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

1,531 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 1890s
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
17 Sept 1891
CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE. (Auckland Star, 17 September 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1891
North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1891. (North Otago Times, 08 October 1891) North Otago Times · 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
29 Dec 1891
SOOiAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 29 December 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 09 January 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1892
SHIPPING (Otago Daily Times, 08 February 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1892
ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. (Otago Daily Times, 23 February 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1892
Evenig Post. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1892. HUMILITY IN HOUSE BUILDING. (Evening Post, 05 March 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Jan 1893
A "CLEAN " COLONY. (Evening Post, 06 January 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1893
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 January 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 February 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1893
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Hawera & Normanby Star, 24 March 1893) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Apr 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jun 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1893
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 11 July 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1893
Local & General. (Star, 12 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 27 July 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1893
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1893
BURGLARIES. (Otago Daily Times, 12 September 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1893
BURGLARIES. (Otago Witness, 14 September 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1893
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1893
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 31 October 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 November 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
25 Jan 1894
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 25 January 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1894
FOOTBALL. (Star, 22 June 1894) Star · 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
6 Sept 1894
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 September 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Nov 1894
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 19 November 1894) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 17 December 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1894
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS INTERPROVINCIAL. (West Coast Times, 18 December 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1895
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 20 February 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Feb 1895
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 23 February 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Mar 1895
RUAPEHU AND AURUHOF. (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 March 1895) Wanganui Chronicle · 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
30 May 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jun 1895
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 25 June 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1895
SUPREME COURT. (Star, 14 August 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1895
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 12 September 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1895
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 November 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
17 Jan 1896
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 17 January 1896) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1896
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1896
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 08 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Feb 1896
POLITICAL NOTES. (Tuapeka Times, 15 February 1896) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1896
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Otago Daily Times, 17 March 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 28 March 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1896
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1896. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 October 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
18 Feb 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1897
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 24 February 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1897
AN ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LIBERTY LEAGUE. (Continued.) RULE BY MAJORITIES. (North Otago Times, 05 March 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. (Christchurch Press.) (North Otago Times, 29 March 1897) North Otago Times · 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
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Feilding Star, 13 July 1897) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1897
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1897
Irish News. (New Zealand Tablet, 29 October 1897) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 10 December 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Colonist, 25 January 1898) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1898
Biographical Notes of Settlers of the First Decade. THE OLD IDENTITY. (Otago Witness, 31 March 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1898
The late Mr Thomas Denniston, Mr Justice Denniston (Supreme Court, Christchurch), Mr Thomas F. Denniston (manager Ida Valley Station). Mr G. L. Denniston (merchant, Dunedin), Mr A. J. Denni-ton (assistant manager Bank of New Zealand, Auckland), Mr W. J. Denniston (late of the Union Steam Ship Company Wellington. Since deceased ) (Otago Witness, 31 March 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 06 April 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 08 June 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 23 July 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1898
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ellesmere Guardian, 27 July 1898) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 09 September 1898) Evening Post · 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 Oct 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 October 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 06 December 1898) Timaru Herald · 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
18 Feb 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 18 February 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1899
LoOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 May 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1899
WEEKLY LIVE STOCK AND PRODUCE REPORT. Wednesday, May 3. BIRTHS. MARRIAGES. DEATHS. (Otago Witness, 04 May 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Oct 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 October 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1899
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 November 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

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.

“Merchant”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch