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.

“On The Low”, the shelf

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

5,899 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
2 Sept 1896
TOWN & COUNTRY (Timaru Herald, 02 September 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1896
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 25 September 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1896
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1896
ADDINGTON MARKET. (Ashburton Guardian, 01 October 1896) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1896
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 03 October 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1896
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 28 October 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
31 Oct 1896
BAND GOSSIP. (Star, 31 October 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Nov 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 November 1896) 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
24 Nov 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 November 1896) Star · 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
7 Dec 1896
SWIMMING. (Star, 07 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 01 January 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 05 January 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1897
TOWN EDITION. GORE: THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1897. NEWS AND NOTES. (Mataura Ensign, 21 January 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1897
BAND GOSSIP. (Star, 23 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1897
RICHMOND AMATEUR SWIMMING CLUB. (Star, 08 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1897
CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. (Star, 18 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
27 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
29 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 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
5 Apr 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 April 1897) Star · 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
24 Apr 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 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
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1897
TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. DAIRY INDUSTRY. (Mataura Ensign, 13 May 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 May 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 28 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 31 May 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1897
A VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 02 June 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jun 1897
REVISED CRICKET RECORDS. (Otago Witness, 03 June 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1897
COMMERCIAL ADDINGTON MARKETS. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, June 9. (North Otago Times, 11 June 1897) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 28 June 1897) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1897
FASH AND STATION. (Otago Witness, 01 July 1897) Otago Witness · 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
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1897
Page 27 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Feilding Star, 13 July 1897) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1897
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 13 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 30 July 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 August 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
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
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 16 August 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 06 September 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Sept 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Mataura Ensign, 16 September 1897) Mataura Ensign · 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
23 Sept 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 September 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1897
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 28 September 1897) Otago Daily Times · 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
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 29 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 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
13 Oct 1897
Financial Statement. (Nelson Evening Mail, 13 October 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 16 October 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
22 Oct 1897
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1897. (Otago Daily Times, 22 October 1897) Otago Daily 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
29 Oct 1897
Page 32 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 29 October 1897) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1897
Irish News. (New Zealand Tablet, 29 October 1897) New Zealand Tablet · 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
4 Nov 1897
LEVELS COUNTY COUNCIL. (Timaru Herald, 04 November 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1897
THE WAIMAKARIRI. (Star, 15 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 20 November 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 November 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.

“On The Low”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch