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.

“New City Hotel”, the shelf

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

4,385 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 1890s
11 Dec 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 December 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 17 December 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1894
Local & General. (Star, 22 December 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Dec 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894. 1894. (Evening Post, 31 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1895
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 26 January 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
13 Feb 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 February 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1895
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 March 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1895
Mataura Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1895 NEWS AND NOTES. (Mataura Ensign, 19 March 1895) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 March 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1895
DRAINAGE PLUMBING. (Evening Post, 03 April 1895) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Apr 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 11 April 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1895
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1895. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 April 1895) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 22 April 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 23 April 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 24 April 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 25 April 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 26 April 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 09 May 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1895
Local & General. (Star, 11 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 May 1895
WELLLINGTON WING WHISPERS (Otago Witness, 30 May 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (North Otago Times, 18 September 1895) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1895
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1895
Local & General. (Star, 14 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1895
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 29 November 1895) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 09 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH (North Otago Times, 09 January 1896) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1896
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 11 January 1896) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 17 January 1896) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1896
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1896. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1896
CABLED TOPICS. (Evening Post, 25 January 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 27-1-1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1896
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1896. TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 28 January 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1896
THE INTERCOLONIAL MEDICAL CONGRESS. (Otago Daily Times, 03 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 04 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1896
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 08 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Feb 1896
LOCAL AND GENEEAL. (Star, 10 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 13 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 14 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1896
POLITICAL NOTES. (Tuapeka Times, 15 February 1896) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 22 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1896
BOATING FATALITY AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 March 1896) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1896
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 March 1896) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1896
THE FUNERALS. (Star, 03 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1896
WELLINGTON. (North Otago Times, 04 March 1896) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 14 March 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1896
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 21 March 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1896
O-RUA-PAEROA. (Star, 27 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 14 May 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1896
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1896
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 06 June 1896) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 27 August 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1896
TOWN & COUNTRY (Timaru Herald, 02 September 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 10 October 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 October 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1896
ATHLETIC NOTES. (Auckland Star, 31 October 1896) Auckland Star · 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
23 Nov 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1896
Untitled (Star, 01 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 19 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1897
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 19 January 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1897
SUMNER BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 25 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 30 January 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 08 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1897
Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1897. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 February 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 11 February 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 February 1897) Star · 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
16 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 February 1897) Star · 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

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.

“New City Hotel”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch