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 99 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 1910s
20 Apr 1916
RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES (Evening Post, 20 April 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1916
Page 12 Advertisements Column 7 (NZ Truth, 22 April 1916) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1916
BLENHEIM REVISITED (Marlborough Express, 26 April 1916) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1916
SPORTING. (Colonist, 28 April 1916) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1916
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 28 April 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1916
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 May 1916) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 May 1916
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 May 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1916
WEDNESDAY, MAY 10th, 1916. Grey River Argus and Blackball News. (Grey River Argus, 10 May 1916) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1916
RUSHING RAIDERS OUT. (Poverty Bay Herald, 12 May 1916) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1916
AKAROA AND WAINUI. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 May 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1916
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Ashburton Guardian, 23 May 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 May 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1916
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 29 May 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1916
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MAY 30, 1916. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 May 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1916
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Colonist, 31 May 1916) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1916
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 03 June 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1916
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Taranaki Daily News 6-11-1916) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1916
Y.M.C.A. WAR FUND. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 June 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1916
Untitled (Colonist, 21 June 1916) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1916
FAT STOCK. (Northern Advocate, 23 June 1916) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1916
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 24 June 1916) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1916
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 26 June 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1916
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 30 June 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1916
PERSONAL. (Feilding Star, 06 July 1916) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1916
PEDIGREE HOLSTEINS. (Taranaki Daily News 7-10-1916) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1916
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 11 July 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1916
THE ROLL OF HONOUR (Otago Daily Times 21-7-1916) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 03 August 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1916
Page 12 Advertisements Column 6 (NZ Truth, 05 August 1916) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 07 August 1916) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1916
EXTRA EDITION. LATE SPORTING (Evening Post, 09 August 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1916
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 10 August 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Aug 1916
LATE SPORTING (Evening Post, 10 August 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1916
EXTRA EDITION. LATE SPORTING (Evening Post, 14 August 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1916
C.J.C. GRAND NATIONAL MEETING (Hawera & Normanby Star, 16 August 1916) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1916
THE TURF (Evening Post, 16 August 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 21 August 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1916
DON'S MISTAKE THE CAUSE. (Ashburton Guardian, 21 August 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1916
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 24 August 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1916
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 August 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1916
OBITUARY. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 September 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1916
ADDINGTON. (Northern Advocate, 01 September 1916) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1916
A FIRM FOUNDATION. (Ashburton Guardian, 18 September 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1916
BURNSIDE STOCK MARKET. (Ashburton Guardian, 21 September 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1916
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (NZ Truth, 23 September 1916) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Sept 1916
OBITUARY. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 September 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1916
ADDINGTON. (Northern Advocate, 29 September 1916) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS (Hawera & Normanby Star, 03 October 1916) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1916
The Akaroa Mail TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1916. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 October 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1916
THE COLONIST. TUESDAY, OCTOBER. 3, 1916. NEWS OF THE DAY. (Colonist, 03 October 1916) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1916
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 04 October 1916) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1916
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 11 October 1916) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1916
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1916 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 October 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1916
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. (Otago Daily Times 13-10-1916) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1916
SOCIAL AT AKAROA. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 October 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1916
TOURIST TRAFFIC TO AKAROA. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 October 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 October 1916) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1916
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 25 October 1916) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1916
THE CITY (Ashburton Guardian, 25 October 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1916
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1916. LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 October 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1916
NOTES AND COMMENTS (Evening Post, 30 October 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1916
CHRISTCHURCH SENSATIONS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 November 1916) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1916
PERSONAL ITEMS. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 10 November 1916) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1916
SPORTING. (Taranaki Daily News 11-11-1916) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1916
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Taranaki Daily News 15-11-1916) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1916
Wounded New Zealanders well cared for in England: a group of patients with their nurses from ward 7 of the Second New Zealand General Hospital at Walton-on-Thames Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
22 Nov 1916
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 22 November 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1916
The Motor World (NZ Truth, 25 November 1916) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1916
Page 9 Advertisements Column 2 (Taranaki Daily News 25-11-1916) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1916
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Taranaki Daily News 27-11-1916) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1916
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 28 November 1916) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Nov 1916
ANCIENT HISTORY—STORY OF A WRECK (Evening Post, 29 November 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1916
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1916, (Grey River Argus, 04 December 1916) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1916
CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. (Evening Post, 09 December 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1916
THE CANTERBURY SETTLEMENT. (Otago Daily Times 12-9-1916) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1916
DON'T MISTAKE THE CAUSE. (Ashburton Guardian, 11 December 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1916
LITTLE AKAROA NEWS. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 December 1916) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1916
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 15 December 1916) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 20 December 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1916
NEWS AND NOTES. (NZ Truth, 23 December 1916) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1916
MAITAI V. CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 30 December 1916) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1916
Page 10 Advertisements Column 4 (Taranaki Daily News 30-12-1916) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1917
PERSONAL. (Feilding Star, 02 January 1917) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1917
SPORTING. (Taranaki Daily News 1-11-1917) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1917
CHRISTCHURCH V. MAITAI (Colonist, 17 January 1917) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1917
WOMEN IN PRINT. (Evening Post, 01 February 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1917
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 02 February 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1917
BOTTLE LAKE HOSPITAL (NZ Truth, 03 February 1917) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1917
ACCIDENTS & DEATHS. (Ashburton Guardian, 05 February 1917) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1917
MISS ALBERTA TEASDALE. (Grey River Argus, 08 February 1917) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1917
ADDINGTON MARKET (Evening Post, 08 February 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1917
WELLINGTON RECRUITING DISTRICT (No. 5) (Evening Post, 13 February 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1917
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 15 February 1917) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1917
OBITUARY. (Colonist, 21 February 1917) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1917
AIM FIEND (NZ Truth, 24 February 1917) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1917
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 24 February 1917) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1917
A YOUNG CRIMINAL (Hawera & Normanby Star, 26 February 1917) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1917
WOMEN IN PRNINT. (Evening Post, 05 March 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1917
WANTED TO SEE HOUSE BLAZE (Grey River Argus, 08 March 1917) Grey River Argus · 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