How many records does the archive hold?

69,585 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.

“A Sumner …”, the shelf

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

3,178 records matching 96 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 1880s
18 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 20 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Aug 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 01 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 14 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1887
THE OTAGO TOUR OF 1887. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1887
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1887
SUMNER TOWN BOARD. (Star, 05 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1887
THE SUMNER RAILWAY. (Star, 25 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1887
SUMNER. (Star, 12 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1887
THE PROPOSED RAILWAY TO SUMNER. (Star, 22 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1888
SWIMMING MATCHES AT SUMNER. (Star, 30 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 April 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1888
JONATHAN ROBERTS (Star, 11 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
FOOTBALL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 06 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1888
THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND. (Auckland Star, 10 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1889
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 11 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1889
Canterbury Tramway Company. (Star, 21 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1889
AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 04 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1889
Local &.General. (Star, 20 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Nov 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 22 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
IN AND ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH. THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1889
Accidents and Fatalities. (Star, 09 December 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1889
A TRIP TO THE EXHIBITION (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 December 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1889
Christchurch Service. (Star, 30 December 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
Rock study, Sumner by Petrus van der Velden · Art · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1 Jan 1890
Sumner Cliffs by Larkin, Harold, 1868-1918 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Unidentified man with a penny-farthing at Shag Rock Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · 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
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 18 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1890
Part 111. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1890
NOTES ON A CHRISTCHURCH TRIP. (Otago Witness, 15 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 May 1890
BOARD OP EDUCATION (Star, 29 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1890
Sumner Town Board. (Star, 21 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1890
THE NEW ZEALANDER AT HOME. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1890
Latest locals. (Star, 16 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Oct 1890
Sumner Town Board. (Star, 31 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1890
OUT AND ABOUT. THE SCENIC BEAUTIES AROUND CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 18 December 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Dec 1890
Local & General. (Star, 31 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1891
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 19 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1891
Local & General. (Star, 30 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
21 Mar 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1891
A Latest Locals. (Star, 23 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
4 Jun 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 06 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1891
Local & General. (Star, 17 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 01 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1891
Latest.Locals. (Star, 29 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1891
Local & General. (Star, 03 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1891
REPRESENTATION; (Star, 15 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 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
28 Dec 1891
Local & General. (Star, 28 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 09 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1892
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 21 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1892
Local & General. (Star, 15 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1892
Local & General. (Star, 17 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1892
Local & General. (Star, 25 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
29 Feb 1892
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. (Star, 29 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“A Sumner …”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch