How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“Three Cows”, the shelf

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

530 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 1880s
17 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1889
THE OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
10 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Sweating Commission at Auckland (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 April 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 September 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1890
THE NEW ZEALANDER AT HOME. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1890
THE WAIRARAPA SEAT. (Evening Post, 27 September 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Nov 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 November 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1891
Local & General. (Star, 06 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1891
A "CENTRAL" POLLING-PLACE. (Evening Post, 31 October 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 09 November 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1892
Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 21 June 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 November 1892) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1892
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Jan 1893
THE LABOUR MARKET. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 25 January 1893) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1893
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1893
Local & General. (Star, 10 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Jan 1894
Evening Post. FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1894. (Evening Post, 26 January 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1894
Local is General. (Star, 02 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1894
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 12 April 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1894
Irish News. (New Zealand Tablet, 08 June 1894) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1894
MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR EUROPE and AMERICA. (Auckland Star, 14 June 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY. JULY 23, 1894 THE OTTAWA CONFERENCE. (Evening Post, 23 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1894
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 October 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1894
The Marlborough Express. published every evening. Tuesday, December 4, 1894. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 04 December 1894) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1895
LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS. (Otago Witness, 21 March 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1895
OTAGO A: AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Dec 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 December 1895) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
1 Oct 1896
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 November 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1897
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 15 January 1897) Clutha Leader · 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
4 May 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 May 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1897
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 02 July 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1897
WOOLSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 11 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Tuapeka Times, 16 October 1897) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 23 October 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1897
THE SHOW. (Ashburton Guardian, 30 October 1897) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
25 Nov 1897
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times, 25 November 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 09 December 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
COMMERCIAL. (Otago Daily Times, 03 March 1898) Otago Daily Times · 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
10 Oct 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 10 October 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 December 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1898
West Coast Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1898. A VINDICATION. (West Coast Times, 03 December 1898) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1898
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 08 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 February 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
14 Aug 1899
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Star, 14 August 1899) Star · 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
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
21 Dec 1899
Summary. (Colonist, 21 December 1899) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
14 May 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 14 May 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 September 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1900
OLD WRITERS' WEEK. (Otago Witness, 10 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 07 November 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1900
LATE WIRES. (Daily Telegraph, 22 November 1900) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 28 November 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1900
ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET. CHRISTCHURCH, November 21. (Otago Witness, 28 November 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1900
Untitled (Otago Witness, 05 December 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1901
Untitled (Clutha Leader 1-3-1901) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 16 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 13 March 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1901
The wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1901. A MODEL BOROUGH. (Wanganui Herald, 13 April 1901) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1901
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBOBNE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1901. (Poverty Bay Herald, 05 June 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 14 August 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1901
BASIC SLAG: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT ACTS. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 28 August 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 16 October 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1901
ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET. (Otago Witness, 27 November 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1902
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS'. (Otago Witness, 08 January 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1902
SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES (Otago Witness, 19 February 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Southland Times, 01 March 1902) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Mar 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 22 May 1902) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1902
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 28 May 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Wanganui Chronicle, 04 June 1902) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1902
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 18 June 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1902
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE. MONDAY, DEC. 1, 1902. PROGRESS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 December 1902) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawera & Normanby Star, 13 December 1902) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1903
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 25 February 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1903
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto:—We write.for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. (Otago Witness, 18 March 1903) Otago Witness · 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.

“Three Cows”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch