How many records does the archive hold?

74,024 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.

3,985 records matching 84 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
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
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
10 Apr 1897
THE SYDENHAM SEWAGE SCHEME. (Star, 10 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH ) Christchurch, April 20. (North Otago Times, 21 April 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1897
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1897
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 01 May 1897) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1897
INTERPROVINCIAL SPORTING GOSSIP. (Star, 18 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
2 Jun 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 02 June 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1897
VOLUNTEERING IN THE EARLY DAYS. (Star, 12 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 16 August 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1897
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Poverty Bay Herald, 13 September 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1897
HOUSE PARADES. (Timaru Herald, 04 October 1897) Timaru Herald · 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
29 Oct 1897
Irish News. (New Zealand Tablet, 29 October 1897) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1897
ORANGEISM. (Star, 01 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Thames Star, 24 November 1897) Thames 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
3 Dec 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1898
Biographical Notes of Settlers of the First Decade. THE OLD IDENTITY. (Otago Witness, 31 March 1898) Otago Witness · 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
12 Apr 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 12 April 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Apr 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 30 April 1898) Evening Post · 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
20 Jun 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 20 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jul 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 23 July 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1898
SHIPPING. (Otago Daily Times, 04 August 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1898
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 August 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1898
DEATHS. (Otago Witness, 29 September 1898) Otago Witness · 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
26 Oct 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1898
SPORTING:, (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1898
NOTES BY SLIP. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Dec 1898
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. (Otago Witness, 29 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
12 Jan 1899
CHARITABLE AID BOARD. (Star, 12 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 April 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1899
STAGE GOSSIP. (Otago Witness, 13 April 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1899
LoOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 May 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1899
PERSONAL NOTES, (Auckland Star, 10 May 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 13 May 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1899
TOWN & COUNTRY (Timaru Herald, 22 May 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 15 June 1899) Timaru Herald · 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
1 Jul 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 01 July 1899) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1899
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 06 July 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 20 July 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1899
NEW ZEALAND ACADEMY OF PINE ARTS. (Otago Daily Times, 02 August 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 03 August 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1899
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Star, 14 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1899
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 30 August 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1899
POULTRY NOTES. (Otago Witness, 14 September 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Bruce Herald, 26 September 1899) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1899
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 02 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 15 November 1899) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1899
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times, 24 November 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1899
THE TOLL OF THE SEA, (Otago Witness, 30 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
30 Nov 1899
SHOWS. OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Dec 1899
AN EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. (Otago Daily Times, 05 December 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Dec 1899
AN EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION. (Otago Witness, 07 December 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Dec 1899
SOLVERS AND THEIR CRITICISMS. (Star, 16 December 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 December 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1899
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. (Otago Witness, 28 December 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 2 and 3 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 2 places
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 272 and 273 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 270 and 271 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 262 and 263 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, page 200 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 200 and 201 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 258 and 259 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 296 and 297 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 300 and 301 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Oxford Terrace, Christchurch, N. Z. Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 288 and 289 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 194 and 195 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 182 and 183 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Summit Road scrapbook, pages 76 and 77 Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
1 Jan 1900
Victoria Square, Christchurch, N. Z. 2014 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1900
Stanmore Road Bridge, Christchurch N.Z. 2014 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries

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