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.

“Garden Hotel”, the shelf

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

1,799 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 1900s
31 Dec 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 January 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 January 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1905
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 12 April 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 May 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 May 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 26 June 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 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
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
6 Sept 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Oct 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 16 October 1905) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1905
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. (Evening Post, 30 October 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Nov 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Nov 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Nov 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1905
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 06 December 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Herald, 07 December 1905) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1905
Untitled (Manawatu Times, 13 December 1905) Manawatu Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 January 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1906
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 January 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 January 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1906
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 24 January 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 January 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 January 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1906
TABLE TALK. MONDAY, February 5. (Otago Witness, 07 February 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1906
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Feb 1906
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Marlborough Express, 20 February 1906) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1906
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1906
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. LETTERS IN BRIEF, (Otago Witness, 07 March 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1906
Entre Nous. (New Zealand Free Lance, 10 March 1906) New Zealand Free Lance · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1906
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Poverty Bay Herald, 15 March 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 April 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1906
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 April 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 May 1906
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 May 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 May 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 June 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1906
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 August 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
14 Aug 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 August 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 22 August 1906) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1906
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Sept 1906
NEWS NOTES. (Poverty Bay Herald, 26 September 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1906
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 17 October 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 October 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1906
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
19 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Nov 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1906
Local and General. (Thames Star, 24 November 1906) Thames 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.

“Garden Hotel”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch