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
31 Aug 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1892
Local & General. (Star, 31 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1892
THE REPLACEMENT OF WORN COIN. (Evening Post, 12 September 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1892
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 13 September 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1892
Oddfellowship. (Star, 17 September 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1892
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 September 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 October 1892) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 October 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 October 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 13 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 15 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 20 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 October 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 29 October 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 02 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 05 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 05 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 08 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1892
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 08 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 09 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 09 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 10 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1892
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, November 9. (North Otago Times, 10 November 1892) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1892
COMMERCIAL (Otago Witness, 10 November 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1892
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1892. (Otago Daily Times, 14 November 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1892
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1892. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Nov 1892
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 24 November 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1892
SHIPPING. (Otago Daily Times, 28 November 1892) Otago Daily Times · 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
3 Dec 1892
Local & General. (Star, 03 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 05 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 06 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Dec 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 06 December 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1892
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 07 December 1892) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 December 1892) Star · 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
20 Dec 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 20 December 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1892
Sydenham Borongh Council (Star, 21 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1892
Christchurch. (Star, 21 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1892
TALK OF THE DAY (Otago Witness, 29 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1893
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 January 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1893
Education Board. (Star, 19 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jan 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1893
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 January 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1893
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1893
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 28 January 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1893
BOWLINE. (Otago Witness, 02 February 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1893
BOWLING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 09 February 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
13 Feb 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1893
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 14 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1893
Evening Post. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1893. THE REPRESENTATION OF MASTERTON. (Evening Post, 14 February 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1893
Local & General. (Star, 20 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1893
DEATHS. (Auckland Star, 23 February 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 02 March 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1893
East Christchurch Football Club. (Star, 04 March 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1893
North Otago Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, MARCH 6, 1893 (North Otago Times, 06 March 1893) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1893
TILE QUEENSLAND FLOODS RELIEF FUND. (Otago Daily Times, 07 March 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1893
THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS. (Otago Witness, 09 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1893
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 09 March 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1893
Wes eyan Conference. (Nelson Evening Mail, 10 March 1893) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1893
THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS. (Star, 13 March 1893) 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
21 Mar 1893
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 21 March 1893) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1893
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 March 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1893
DEATHS. (Star, 22 March 1893) Star · 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
23 Mar 1893
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 March 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1893
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 24 March 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1893
Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL I, 1892. THE CHRISTCHURCH UNEMPLOYED. (Wanganui Herald, 01 April 1893) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1893
THE VOLUNTEERS. (Star, 03 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1893
A FLAT CONTRADICTION. (Evening Post, 24 April 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1893
EAST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1893
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 26 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1893
FOOTBALL. (Star, 04 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 18 May 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1893
PROFESSOR ALDIS AND THE AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE COUNCIL. (Auckland Star, 19 May 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1893
Local & General. (Star, 23 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 31 May 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1893
FOOTBALL. (Star, 01 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1893
FOOTBALL. (Otago Witness, 08 June 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1893
Local & General. (Star, 12 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1893
FOOTBALL. (Star, 15 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1893
Local & General. (Star, 16 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1893
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 21 June 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1893
Local & General. (Star, 26 June 1893) 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