How many records does the archive hold?

72,593 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.

“Black & White”, the shelf

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

3,900 records matching 77 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 Jan 1890
Lyttelton1481. Lyttelton New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Sumner from inside Cave Rock3000. Sumner - From inside Cave Rock. Burton Bros. Dunedin New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Lyttelton New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Heathcote3018 - Heathcote. Burton Bros. Dunedin. New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Heathcote3019 – Heathcote. Burton Bros. Dunedin New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Drying grounds looking west Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Drying grounds looking east Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Exterior pulling shed Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Interior pulling shed Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Skin dray Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Part of employees Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Portrait of a group of men Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Wool loaded for shipment Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Wool shed Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Kaputone Wool Works building Kaputone Wool Works album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Otira Gorge1593. Otira Gorge W. Coast Road. Burton Bros. Dunedin New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Bealey River, West Coast Road1553. Bealey River W. Coast Road. Burton Bros. Dunedin New Zealand views · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Photograph: John Bates & Co Limited by Standish and Preece · Canterbury Museum · no. 793565 · Canterbury Museum · about 1 place
1 Jan 1890
Photograph: John Bates & Co Limited by Standish and Preece · Canterbury Museum · no. 793564 · Canterbury Museum · about 1 place
1 Jan 1890
Lantern Slide: Market Square, Christchurch Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
1 Jan 1890
Lantern Slide: Morton's Marine Hotel Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
1 Jan 1890
Photograph, Captain William Stevens and Frances Emma Stevens by Gerstenkorn, Karl Andreas · NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
14 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1890
LOCAL NEWS. (Star, 20 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Daily Times, 28 January 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 26 May 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 29 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 02 July 1890) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 July 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1890
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1890. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 20 August 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 26 August 1890) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1890
FOOTBALL. (Star, 28 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1890
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Oct 1890
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 02 October 1890) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1890
ALICE'S LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 16 October 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1890
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 18 November 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1891
THE INFANTICIDE CASE. (Star, 16 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1891
The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 06 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1891
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 March 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 07 April 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1891
FOOTBALL. (Star, 09 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 May 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 02 May 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 29 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1891
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 14 September 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
25 Sept 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 September 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1891
Local & General. (Star, 28 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 04 December 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 19 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 29 December 1891) Star · 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
1 Jan 1892
No 68. Mr E.B. Hayward, Committee of School of Art, Christchurch. D.E. Hutton Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
7 Jan 1892
Evening Post. THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 1892. A VINDICATION. (Evening Post, 07 January 1892) Evening Post · 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
8 Mar 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 March 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 22 March 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Apr 1892
ECCLESIASTICAL. (Auckland Star, 21 April 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1892
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 May 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1892
THE ELGINSHIRE. (Otago Daily Times, 14 May 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1892
Who Pays All? TO THE EDITOR. (Otago Witness, 19 May 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1892
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jun 1892
LONDON. (Tuapeka Times, 01 June 1892) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1892
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 July 1892) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1892
FOOTBALL. (Star, 28 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1892
SPORTING. CHRISTCHURCH RACES (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, August 5. (North Otago Times, 06 August 1892) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1892
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 18 August 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Marlborough Express, 23 August 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 14 November 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 November 1892) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1892
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1892. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Nov 1892
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 25 November 1892) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1892
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 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
9 Mar 1893
THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS. (Otago Witness, 09 March 1893) Otago Witness · 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
23 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1893
THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY. (Otago Witness, 13 April 1893) Otago Witness · 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
17 May 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 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
3 Jun 1893
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 03 June 1893) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1893
THE POULTRY SHOW. (North Otago Times, 18 July 1893) North Otago Times · 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.

“Black & White”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch