How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“The Well”, the shelf

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

17,939 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 1900s
4 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1905
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 06 July 1905) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1905
THEIR OWN LAWYERS. (Evening Post, 10 July 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1905
TRAMWAY ROUTES. (Star, 10 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1905
Traffic and tram bridge over Heathcote River Christchurch bridges: plans and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
12 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1905
AGRICULTURAL AND TASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 12 July 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1905
THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 12 July 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 July 1905) Star · 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
19 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1905
CHRISTCHURCH NEWS. (Wanganui Herald, 20 July 1905) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1905
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (Manawatu Standard, 20 July 1905) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1905
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1905 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 July 1905) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 05 August 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1905
WHO IS BLUFFING? (Poverty Bay Herald, 10 August 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Aug 1905
NEW ZEALANDERS IN LONDON. (Wanganui Chronicle, 10 August 1905) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Marlborough Express, 10 August 1905) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1905
Untitled (Manawatu Standard, 11 August 1905) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 11 August 1905) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 12 August 1905) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Marlborough Express, 14 August 1905) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1905
STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 16 August 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 17 August 1905) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1905
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 August 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
18 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Aug 1905
BIRTHS. (Star, 21 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1905
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 23 August 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1905
THE CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 18. (Otago Witness, 23 August 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1905
PARLIAMENT. (Evening Post, 24 August 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1905
Cap and Jacket (Observer, 26 August 1905) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 26 August 1905) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Marlborough Express, 28 August 1905) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1905
OMNIUM GATHERUM. (Otago Daily Times 28-8-1905) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Sept 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Sept 1905
THE START. (Star, 02 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Sept 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 September 1905) Star · 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.

“The Well”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch