How many records does the archive hold?

77,260 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 Yard”, the shelf

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

2,492 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
12 Sept 1895
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 12 September 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1895
Christchurch Football Club. (Star, 14 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Nov 1895
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 29 November 1895) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 December 1895) 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
7 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 07 December 1895) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 09 December 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1895
SWIMMING. (Star, 09 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1895
SWIMMING. (Star, 17 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1895
SWIMMING. (Star, 23 December 1895) Star · 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
2 Jan 1896
THE SAILING RACES. (Star, 02 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · 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
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
5 Feb 1896
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 05 February 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
Cycling News. (Feilding Star, 14 February 1896) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
24 Feb 1896
SWIMMING. (Star, 24 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1896
SWIMMING. (Star, 02 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1896
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1896
SWIMMING. (Star, 16 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1896
LOCAL INDUSTRIES. (Auckland Star, 17 March 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1896
SWIMMING. (Star, 20 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1896
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 21 March 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1896
ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET. (Otago Witness, 30 April 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
16 May 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 16 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 May 1896) Star · 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
22 Jun 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jun 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 July 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
7 Sept 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1896
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 25 September 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 08 December 1896) Auckland Star · 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
8 Jan 1897
SWIMMING NOTES. (Star, 08 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 27 January 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 02 February 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
18 Feb 1897
N.Z. AMATEUR ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS. (Auckland Star, 18 February 1897) Auckland 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
25 Feb 1897
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 25 February 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1897
SWIMMING. (Star, 01 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 02 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
24 Apr 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 27 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH WINTER SHOW. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, May 26. (North Otago Times, 28 May 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1897
NEWS ITEMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 26 June 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1897
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 02 July 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 13 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1897
THE RIVAL QUARRIES. (Star, 27 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1897
Page 27 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 05 August 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 16 August 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1897
Page 27 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Witness, 19 August 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 16 October 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
30 Oct 1897
THE SHOW. (Ashburton Guardian, 30 October 1897) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
30 Oct 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 October 1897) Star · 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
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
26 Nov 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 November 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1897
SWIMMING. (Star, 06 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 14 December 1897) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 15 December 1897) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1897
SWIMMING. (Star, 20 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 January 1898) Star · 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
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
AQUATIC. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 28 February 1898) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1898
SWIMMING. (Star, 28 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1898
SWIMMING. (Star, 02 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 07 March 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1898
CHRISTCHUKCH CLUB'S SPORTS. (Star, 14 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1898
SWIMMING. (Star, 19 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1898
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 29 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1898
LQCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 April 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1898
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 21 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 17 May 1898) 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.

“The Yard”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch