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.

3,961 records matching 98 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
14 Jan 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 February 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
4 Mar 1893
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 04 March 1893) Nelson Evening Mail · 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
23 Mar 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Poverty Bay Herald, 23 March 1893) Poverty Bay Herald · 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
5 Aug 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1893
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 10 August 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 31 August 1893) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1893
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 31 August 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 27 September 1893) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Sept 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 19 October 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Nov 1893
TALK OF THE DAY, (Otago Witness, 16 November 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Wanganui Chronicle, 18 November 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1893
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1893
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1893. (Evening Post, 29 December 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1894
Photograph: Christchurch Gardens by Alfred Charles Barker · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
2 Jan 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1894
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 10 February 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Feb 1894
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 22 February 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 10 March 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1894
LOOAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 15 March 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1894
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELGRAPH.) Christchurch, March 26. (North Otago Times, 27 March 1894) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1894
FOOTBALL. (Star, 13 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1894
THE UNIVERSITY. (Star, 26 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 14 May 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1894
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1894
North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. FRIDAY, MAY 25, 1894. (North Otago Times, 25 May 1894) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 21 June 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jun 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1894 THE EX-SPEAKER. (Evening Post, 25 June 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1894
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1894
OVERLAND FROM NELSON TO SOUTHLAND IN 1856. [By W. H. S. Roberts.] may 1856 (Continued.) (North Otago Times, 10 July 1894) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1894
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1894
THE THE Social Sphere (Observer, 28 July 1894) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1894
DEATHS. (Auckland Star, 09 August 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1894
MRS HUMPHRY WARD'S "MARCELLA." (Otago Witness, 13 September 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1894
BISHOPDALE SKETCHING CLUB. (Nelson Evening Mail, 21 November 1894) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1894
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 December 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 December 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
31 Dec 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894. 1894. (Evening Post, 31 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1895
Photograph: Christchurch by Burton Bros · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
7 Jan 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1895
SWIMMING. (Star, 18 March 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1895
Football Notes. (Star, 29 March 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Apr 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 11 April 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1895
THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE BISHOP MORAN. (Otago Daily Times, 30 May 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1895
DEATH OF BISHOP MORAN. (Otago Daily Times, 11 June 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1895
ORANGEISM. (Star, 15 July 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1895
WELLINGTON PIGEON, POULTRY AND CANARY ASSOCIATION. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July 1895) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1895
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 28 September 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 28 November 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1896
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 11 January 1896) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 04 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 13 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 14 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 22 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1896
CHRISTCHURCH SUBSCRIPTIONS. (Star, 01 April 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
24 Apr 1896
NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY. (Star, 24 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1896
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 14 May 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 14 May 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1896
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE, (Star, 21 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1896) Star · 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
11 Jun 1896
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. (Otago Daily Times, 11 June 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 July 1896) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
20 Aug 1896
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 20 August 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 August 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
5 Nov 1896
TABLE TALK (Otago Witness, 05 November 1896) Otago Witness · 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
19 Nov 1896
CANTERBURY DOING. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1896
LITTLE RIVER REGATTA. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 December 1896) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 February 1897) Star · 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
16 Feb 1897
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 16 February 1897) Otago Daily 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