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.

“"a"”, the shelf

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

63,021 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 1890s
20 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Mataura Ensign, 20 March 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1897
Untitled (Mataura Ensign, 20 March 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1897
Local and General. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 March 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 March 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1897
New Zealand. (Southland Times, 24 March 1897) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1897
ADDINGTON STOCK MARKET. Christchurch. March 24. (Otago Witness, 25 March 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1897
DEATHS. (Star, 25 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1897
Christchurch team by New Zealand Graphic · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
29 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH MARKETS. (Christchurch Press.) (North Otago Times, 29 March 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, March 26. (North Otago Times, 29 March 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1897
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 31 March 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 01 April 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1897
TROTTING. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, April 1. (North Otago Times, 02 April 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1897
NEW BRIGHTON NOTES. (Star, 03 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1897
EAST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOLS. (Star, 05 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1897
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 07 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Apr 1897
INSPECTION OF DAIRIES. (Star, 07 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 07 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 08 April 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Apr 1897
OBITUARY (Star, 09 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1897
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 09 April 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1897
DEATHS. (Star, 10 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1897
THE SYDENHAM SEWAGE SCHEME. (Star, 10 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1897
UNION ROWING CLUB. (Star, 10 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 13 April 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 13 April 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1897
Page 27 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Witness, 15 April 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 17 April 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1897
CITY GUARDS v. TIMARU RIFLES. (Star, 17 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1897
DEATH. (Star, 17 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1897
THE VOLUNTEERS. (Star, 17 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1897
TIMARU RIFLES v. CHRISTCHUECH CITY GURDS. (Timaru Herald, 19 April 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1897
SPORTING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 April 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1897
STORTING. CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH) Christchurch, April 19. (North Otago Times, 20 April 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1897
FOOTBALL. (Evening Post, 20 April 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1897
Racing (Southland Times, 20 April 1897) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Apr 1897
RICCARTON. (Star, 21 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1897
Per United Press Association]. C.J.C. MEETING. (West Coast Times, 21 April 1897) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH ) Christchurch, April 20. (North Otago Times, 21 April 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1897
LOCAL ACT GENERAL. (Star, 22 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Inangahua Times, 22 April 1897) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1897
MAERIAGE (Star, 23 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1897
FOOTBALL. (Star, 23 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH TROTTING. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, April 21, (North Otago Times, 23 April 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. April 22. (North Otago Times, 23 April 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERTAFEL. (Star, 24 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1897
OTHER MATCHES. (Star, 26 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1897
A Trip South. (Feilding Star, 27 April 1897) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 27 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1897
ANNUAL ELECTIONS. (Star, 27 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1897
WEST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1897
FOOTBALL. (Star, 28 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1897
COUNTRY NEWS. (Star, 29 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1897
CENTURIES OF THE SEASON. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1897
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1897
OBITUARY. (Star, 30 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1897
FOOTBALL. (Star, 30 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 30 April 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 01 May 1897) Oxford Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1897
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 01 May 1897) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1897
BISHOPDALE SKETCHING CLUB. (Nelson Evening Mail, 04 May 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
5 May 1897
ANNUAL ART EXHIBITION. (Colonist, 05 May 1897) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1897
THE PRISONER CONFESSES. (Otago Witness, 06 May 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1897
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 06 May 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1897
FOOTBALL. (Star, 07 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Clutha Leader, 07 May 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1897
PROPERTY SALES. (Star, 08 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1897
SENIOR MATCHES. (Star, 10 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 May 1897) 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.

“"a"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch