How many records does the archive hold?

77,260 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.

“"Sydenham"”, the shelf

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

7,494 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
13 Jul 1897
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 13 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1897
LOCAL MATCHES, (Star, 19 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1897
PRESIDENT'S CUP. (Star, 19 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 09 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Aug 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1897
SUPREME COURT. (Star, 16 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1897
SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION. (Star, 17 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 19 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Sept 1897
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 07 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1897
BEAUTIFYING THE CITY. (Star, 09 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 27 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1897
CASHMERE HILLS DOMAIN BOARD. (Star, 19 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 October 1897) Star · 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
3 Nov 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1897
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 November 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1897
MAGISTERIAL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 November 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1897
SWIMMING. (Star, 06 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1897
LOCAL AND GENEEAL. (Star, 14 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1897
MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS. (Star, 15 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1897
SWIMMING. (Star, 20 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1898
FIRE AT SYDENHAM. (Auckland Star, 04 January 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1898
FIRE NEAR CHRISTCHURCH. (Nelson Evening Mail, 04 January 1898) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1898
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 05 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1898
Fire at Christchurch. (Thames Star, 05 January 1898) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1898
SYDENHAM. (Star, 11 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1898
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 14 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1898
CRICKET. (Star, 14 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1898
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 15 January 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1898
OTHER MATCHES. (Star, 17 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1898
BOROUGH COUNCILS. (Star, 25 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1898
TION. (Star, 27 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1898
SWIMMING. (Star, 07 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1898
SYDENHAM. (Star, 08 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1898
CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. (Star, 11 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1898
SWIMMIING. (Star, 14 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1898
CHRISTCHURCH DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 16 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1898
SWIMMING. (Star, 28 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
Mr James Kennedy by Sporting & Dramatic Review · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
4 Mar 1898
SWIMMING. (Star, 04 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1898
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Wanganui Chronicle, 05 March 1898) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1898
CHRISTCHUKCH CLUB'S SPORTS. (Star, 14 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1898
SWIMMING. (Star, 19 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Mar 1898
CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. (Star, 30 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1898
POOTBALL. (Star, 01 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1898
BAND GOSSIP. (Star, 09 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1898
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 20 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 22 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1898
SYDENHAM v. CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1898
POLICE COMMISSION. (Star, 28 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 May 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1898
CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION (Star, 04 May 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 May 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 May 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1898
ROAD BOARD. (Star, 13 May 1898) 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.

“"Sydenham"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch