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.

8,558 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
19 Mar 1895
Rifle Association's Meeting. (Nelson Evening Mail, 19 March 1895) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1895
IN" A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 28 March 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1895
FOOTBALL. (Star, 08 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1895
Christchurch Hospital. (Colonist, 08 April 1895) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1895
INTER-CLUB MATCHES. (Star, 11 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 11 April 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1895
ROAD BOARDS. (Star, 18 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1895
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 1895. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 April 1895) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1895
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1895
EAST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 23 April 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1895
MERIVALE v. CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1895
MAGISTERIAL CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1895
Christchurch Hospital. (Colonist, 06 May 1895) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 09 May 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1895
CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. (Star, 10 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1895
OTHER MATCHES. (Star, 10 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 27 May 1895) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1895
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 29 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 May 1895
THE FUNERAL OF THE LATE BISHOP MORAN. (Otago Daily Times, 30 May 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1895
CHRISTCHURCH DISTRICT. (Star, 03 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1895
Football. (Star, 07 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1895
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 10 June 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1895
DEATH OF BISHOP MORAN. (Otago Daily Times, 11 June 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1895
Assessments of Land. (Star, 18 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1895
Local & General. (Star, 22 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1895
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 25 June 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1895
CANTERBUBY RUGBY UNION. (Star, 28 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1895
Out Door Sports. (Observer, 29 June 1895) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1895
THE UNEMPLOYED. (Star, 02 July 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1895
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 04 July 1895) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1895
Christchurch Fire Brigade. (Star, 08 July 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1895
CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. (Star, 12 July 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1895
WELLINGTON PIGEON, POULTRY AND CANARY ASSOCIATION. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July 1895) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1895
THE WELLINGTON POULTRY SHOW. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Wellington, July 18. (North Otago Times, 20 July 1895) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1895
City Council. (Star, 30 July 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1895
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 03 August 1895) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Aug 1895
Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1895. LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 06 August 1895) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 August 1895) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1895
Winter Work Fund. (Star, 20 August 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1895
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 August 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 September 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1895
MAGISTERIAL (Star, 09 September 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1895
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 12 September 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (North Otago Times, 18 September 1895) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1895
SHIPPING. (Otago Daily Times, 20 September 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 September 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1895
The Wreck of the Thurso. (Star, 25 September 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1895
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 28 September 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1895
BAND CONTEST. (Auckland Star, 04 October 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1895
The Band Contest. (Ashburton Guardian, 04 October 1895) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1895
CHESS. (Star, 07 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1895
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 10 October 1895) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Oct 1895
Christchurch Football Club. (Star, 14 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1895
CHESS. (Star, 14 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1895
Local & General. (Star, 25 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1895
Local & General. (Star, 01 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1895
THE FIRE BRIGADE. (Star, 01 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1895
CHRISTCHURCH SHOW. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, November 7. (North Otago Times, 08 November 1895) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1895
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1895
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, November 9. (North Otago Times, 11 November 1895) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1895
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1895 (West Coast Times, 14 November 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1895
Local & General. (Star, 14 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1895
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 November 1895) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 28 November 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1895
OTAGO A: AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 09 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1895
CRICKET. (Star, 19 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1895
PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS. (Star, 20 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1895
SWIMMING. (Star, 21 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1895
Untitled (Star, 27 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1896
THE SAILING RACES. (Star, 02 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1896
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 11 January 1896) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 18 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1896
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1896
THE CHRISTCHURCH ELECTION. (Star, 22 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH REGATTACLUB. (Star, 23 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 January 1896) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1896
COUNTRY NEWS. (Star, 24 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1896
CABLED TOPICS. (Evening Post, 25 January 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA. (Star, 25 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1896
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1896. TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 28 January 1896) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1896
SHIPPING. (Otago Daily Times, 31 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · 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