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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

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

8,473 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
27 Jan 1891
AMATEUR ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS. (Auckland Star, 27 January 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1891
Amateur Athletics. (Star, 27 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 28 January 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1891
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS. (Auckland Star, 28 January 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 03 February 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1891
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 05 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1891
FIXTURES. (Otago Witness, 05 February 1891) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1891
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 20 February 1891) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1891
Oddfellowship. (Star, 25 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1891
UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS. (Auckland Star, 26 February 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1891
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 03 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1891
The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 06 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Mar 1891
Wesleyan Conference. (Daily Telegraph, 11 March 1891) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1891
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 11 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1891
Local & General. (Star, 13 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1891
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (West Coast Times, 16 March 1891) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1891
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Otago Witness, 19 March 1891) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1891
THE HARBOUR BOARD REPORT. (Evening Post, 20 March 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1891
Local & General. (Star, 23 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1891
THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT. (North Otago Times, 28 March 1891) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 28 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1891
FOOTBALL. (Star, 09 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1891
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 09 April 1891) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1891
St Albans Borough Council (Star, 14 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1891
FOOTBALL. (Star, 16 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1891
THE LATE J. B. GRESSON. (Star, 17 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1891
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 21 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1891
JUNIOR FLAG. (Star, 21 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 01 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 05 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1891
FOOTBALL. (Star, 14 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1891
Sheffield" Handicap (Observer, 16 May 1891) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1891
FOOTBALL FIXTURES. (Otago Daily Times, 22 May 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1891
A Latest Locals. (Star, 23 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1891
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 04 June 1891) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1891
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 09 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1891
Local & General. (Star, 17 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 June 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1891
FOOTBALL. (Star, 25 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
26 Jun 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1891
FOOTBALL. (Star, 02 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1891
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 08 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1891
STATION ACCOMMODATION. (Evening Post, 09 July 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1891
FIELD SPORTS & AQUATICS. (Auckland Star, 16 July 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1891
FOOTBALL. (Star, 23 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1891
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 28 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 05 August 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
7 Aug 1891
East Christchurch School Committee. (Star, 07 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1891
Local & General. (Star, 11 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 14 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Aug 1891
FOOTBALL. (Auckland Star, 21 August 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1891
Latest.Locals. (Star, 29 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1891
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 09 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 10 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Ellesmere Guardian, 12 September 1891) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1891
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 14 September 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
25 Sept 1891
Page 30 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 25 September 1891) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1891
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 29 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1891
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (Star, 06 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1891
IN BANKRUPTCY. (Star, 07 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1891
North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1891. (North Otago Times, 08 October 1891) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1891
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1801. (Poverty Bay Herald, 10 October 1891) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
10 Oct 1891
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, October 9. (North Otago Times, 10 October 1891) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1891
CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (Star, 12 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1891
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 17 October 1891) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1891
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 20 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1891
Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1891. (Nelson Evening Mail, 29 October 1891) Nelson Evening Mail · 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
5 Nov 1891
Local & General. (Star, 05 November 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1891
East Christchurch School Committee. (Star, 07 November 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 09 November 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1891
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, November 9. (North Otago Times, 10 November 1891) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1891
CHRISTCHURCH SHOW. (BY TELELGRAPH.) Christchurch, November 12. (North Otago Times, 13 November 1891) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1891
Page 30 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 13 November 1891) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1891
A CHRISTIAN APOLOGIST. (Auckland Star, 16 November 1891) Auckland 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch