How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“The Light Site”, the shelf

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

501 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 1900s
18 Sept 1906
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1906
PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT (Otago Witness, 24 October 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 03 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1906
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 November 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1906
NEWS ITEMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 13 December 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 December 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1907
LOCAL AND GENEBAL. (Star, 03 January 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 11 February 1907) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1907
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 12 April 1907) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
13 Apr 1907
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 April 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 April 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jun 1907
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 June 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1907
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 June 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1907
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 11 September 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1907
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 October 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1907
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 October 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 November 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Nov 1907
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 November 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1907
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 November 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 November 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1907
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 November 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1907
LOCAL As GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 December 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Dec 1907
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Colonist, 28 December 1907) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1908
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 January 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 January 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 January 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 January 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1908
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 29 January 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jan 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1908
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 February 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1908
CHBISTCBUBCH NEWS NOTES. (Fsok Our. Own Cobbespondent.) (Otago Witness, 13 May 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 May 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 May 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1908
TYPICAL SIRES. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 July 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 August 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Aug 1908
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 22 August 1908) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1908
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 September 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Oct 1908
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 October 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1908
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 October 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 December 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1909
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 05 January 1909) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Feb 1909
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 February 1909) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1909
All Sorts of People (New Zealand Free Lance, 20 March 1909) New Zealand Free Lance · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1909
RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES. (Evening Post, 03 August 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1909
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 24 August 1909) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Aug 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 August 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 September 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1909
Page 10 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 September 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1909
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 September 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1909
PIONEER RECOLLECTIONS. (Mataura Ensign 10-9-1909) Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1909
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1909
THE MOTOR-CAR FATALITY. (Star, 02 November 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1909
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 November 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 November 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1909
Page 10 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 December 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1909
THE PUBLIC WORKS STATEMENT (Wanganui Chronicle, 21 December 1909) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1909
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 30 December 1909) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1910s
11 Apr 1910
Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, APRIL 11, 1910. LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 11 April 1910) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1910
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 07 July 1910) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1910
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 05 October 1910) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1910
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 30 November 1910) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1910
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 29 December 1910) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1911
TELEGRAMS. (Evening Post, 30 March 1911) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1911
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 23 May 1911) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1911
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 05 August 1911) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1912
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 April 1912) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1912
ST. PETER'S CHURCH, AKAROA. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 May 1912) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1914
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 06 February 1914) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1916
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 28 November 1916) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1917
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 24 May 1917) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1917
DEVELOPMENT OF WATERPOWER. (Colonist, 13 October 1917) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1918
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 05 February 1918) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1918
NEWS IN BRIEF (Otago Daily Times 3-8-1918) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1918
IMPROVEMENTS (Grey River Argus, 23 March 1918) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1919
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, FEB. 20, 1919. WILL THE INFLUENZA COME BACK? (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 February 1919) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1919
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 28 October 1919) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1920s
19 Jul 1920
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Ashburton Guardian, 19 July 1920) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jan 1921
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Hawera & Normanby Star, 06 January 1921) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Sept 1921
NEW KELBURN CHURCH (Evening Post, 28 September 1921) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Nov 1922
WOMEN IN PRINT. (Evening Post, 10 November 1922) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1923
IN HONOUR (Evening Post, 29 August 1923) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1924
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Hawera & Normanby Star, 17 January 1924) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1924
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 04 June 1924) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1924
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 05 August 1924) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1924
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 30 August 1924) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1924
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 13 October 1924) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1924
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 17 October 1924) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1925
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 26 March 1925) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1927
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Ellesmere Guardian, 04 March 1927) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1929
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 15 July 1929) Evening Post · 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.

“The Light Site”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch