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.

“"PAPANUI"”, the shelf

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

5,897 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
20 Mar 1897
LOCAL AKD GENERAL. (Star, 20 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 March 1897) Star · 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
3 Apr 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 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
9 Apr 1897
OBITUARY (Star, 09 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1897
RICCARTON. (Star, 21 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
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
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
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
10 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 May 1897) Star · 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
1 Jun 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1897) Star · 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
19 Jun 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 19 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1897
THE LYTTELTON CELEBRATION. (Star, 21 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1897
Untitled (Star, 26 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1897
Page 34 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 15 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 27 July 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
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
12 Aug 1897
CHRISTCHUBCH PIGEON MATCHES. (Marlborough Express, 12 August 1897) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1897
SPORTING. (Star, 12 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
17 Aug 1897
SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION. (Star, 17 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1897
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 September 1897) 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
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 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
1 Oct 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 October 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
9 Oct 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 20 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 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
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
11 Feb 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1898
HANMER HOT SPRINGS. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1898
By Walter H. Pearson (Otago Witness, 17 February 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1898
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE (West Coast Times, 26 February 1898) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1898
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Star, 26 February 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1898) Otago Witness · 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
20 Apr 1898
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 20 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (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
6 Jun 1898
OTHER MATCHES. (Star, 06 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1898
THE WAR (Wanganui Herald, 16 June 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 20 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jun 1898
BOROUGH COUNCILS. (Star, 28 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1898
OBITUARY. (Star, 28 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1898
OTHER MATCHES. (Star, 04 July 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1898
PAPANUI DRAINAGE. (Star, 06 July 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1898
A FLUSHING SCHEME. (Star, 08 July 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1898
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 12 July 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1898
CARD MATCHES. (Star, 13 July 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1898
PRIMARY SCHOOLS COMPETITION. (Star, 08 August 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1898
THE CHRISTCHURCH PIGEON MATCH. (Marlborough Express, 11 August 1898) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1898
FOOTBALL. (Star, 23 August 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1898
OBITUARY. (Star, 23 August 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1898
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 31 August 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1898
DEATHS. (Star, 05 September 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1898
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1898. (Otago Daily Times, 15 September 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 19 September 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1898
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 05 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1898
DEATHS. (Star, 31 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1898
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. (Star, 02 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1898
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. (Star, 19 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1898
DIOCESAN CHORAL ASSOCIATION. (Star, 24 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 December 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Dec 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 December 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Dec 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 December 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 December 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1898
DEATHS. (Evening Post, 23 December 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 December 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 December 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.

“"PAPANUI"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch