How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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 Well”, the shelf

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

18,554 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
8 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
DETAILS OF THE PLAY (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
LADIES' HOCKEY. (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1909
TABLE TALK (Otago Witness, 12 May 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
The Social Sphere (Observer, 15 May 1909) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
DETAILS OF THE PLAY. (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
The Fretful Procupine (Observer, 15 May 1909) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1909
TABLE TALK Monday evening. (Otago Witness, 19 May 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1909
Pars About People. (Observer, 22 May 1909) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1909
ALBION v. LINWOOD. (Star, 22 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1909
FOOTBALL. (Nelson Evening Mail, 25 May 1909) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1909
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 May 1909
TABLE TALK (Otago Witness, 26 May 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1909
TOWN EDITION. (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 May 1909) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1909
HOCKEY. (Star, 29 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1909
TABLE TALK (Otago Witness, 02 June 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1909
ADDINGTON MARKETS. (Wanganui Herald, 03 June 1909) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1909
LADIES' HOCKEY. SENIOR. (Star, 05 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1909
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 09 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1909
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1909
DETAILS OF THE GAMES. (Star, 12 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 12 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1909
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Ashburton Guardian, 14 June 1909) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1909
ESCAPE AND RECAPTURE. (Ashburton Guardian, 15 June 1909) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1909
THE WORK IN-CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1909
NEW SOUTH WALES CHAMPIONSHIP. (Otago Witness, 16 June 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1909
ANDREWS & BEAVEN, LTD., CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 16 June 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1909
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1909
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 June 1909) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 19 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1909
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1909
PERSONAL ITEMS. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1909
Page 994 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 24 June 1909) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1909
TRAMWAY BOARD ELECTION. (Ashburton Guardian, 25 June 1909) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
26 Jun 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 26 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1909
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 June 1909) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1909
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1909
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 30 June 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1909
TECHNICAL TRAININ^ (Evening Post, 01 July 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1909
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 July 1909) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1909
DOMAINS BOARD. (Star, 06 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1909
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1909
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 07 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jul 1909
TRAMWAY POLLS. (Star, 07 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1909
CHRISTCHURCH v. MERIVALE. (Star, 10 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1909
NEXT SATURDAY. (Star, 10 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1909
OBITUARY. (Star, 12 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 July 1909) 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.

“The Well”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch