How many records does the archive hold?

71,563 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.

“J Books”, the shelf

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

2,261 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
10 Oct 1895
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 10 October 1895) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Nov 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 03 December 1895) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1895
PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS. (Star, 20 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1896
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1896. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 22 January 1896) Star · 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
6 Mar 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 06 March 1896) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1896
CABLED TOPICS. (Evening Post, 17 March 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1896
TO-MORROW'S CHURCH SERVICES. (Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Apr 1896
CHRISTCHURCH SUBSCRIPTIONS. (Star, 04 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 20 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1896
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 29 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 01 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1896
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 14 August 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1896
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 20 August 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 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
13 Oct 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 October 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Marlborough Express, 15 October 1896) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Marlborough Express, 14 November 1896) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 30 January 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Feb 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 01 February 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 03 February 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1897
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1897) Otago Witness · 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
2 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
7 Apr 1897
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 07 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 17 April 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1897
INTERPROVINCIAL SPORTING GOSSIP. (Star, 18 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Inangahua Times, 25 May 1897) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 31 May 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1897
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 30 June 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 August 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
25 Oct 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1897
A ROUND-THE-WORLD TRIP. (Otago Witness, 28 October 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1897
Untitled (Mataura Ensign, 30 October 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 20 November 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1897
The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1897. TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 26 November 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 24 February 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 03 March 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 31 March 1898) Star · 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
7 Apr 1898
THE CRICKET GROUND PAVILION (Auckland Star, 07 April 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1898
CURRENT TOPICS. (Otago Daily Times, 09 April 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 May 1898
WHATTHE PAPERS SAY. (Observer, 28 May 1898) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1898
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 May 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Jun 1898
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 14 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1898
LOCAL AND MINERAL. (Star, 14 June 1898) Star · 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
28 Jun 1898
THE VOYAGE OF THE FRAM. (Wanganui Herald, 28 June 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 July 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 18 July 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 02 August 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1898
MUNICIPAL THEATRES. (Wanganui Herald, 16 August 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 20 September 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 September 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Oct 1898
MAIL NOTICES. (Star, 12 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 26 October 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1898
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. (Star, 02 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1898
BANKRUPTCY. (Star, 26 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1898
THE PROPOSED DISARMAMENT. (Auckland Star, 30 December 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1899
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1899. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 24 January 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1899
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 17 March 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1899
GOOD HEALTH WITHOUT DRUGS. 2.—THE LARGEST ORGAN IN THE BODY. (Otago Witness, 15 June 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 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.

“J Books”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch