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.

“"Sydenham"”, the shelf

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

8,217 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
26 May 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 May 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 27 May 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
27 May 1899
MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. (Star, 27 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1899
LOCAL GOVERNMENT NOTES. (Star, 27 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1899
SCHOOL FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1899
HOCKEY. (Star, 29 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1899
CHRISTCHURCH V. SYDENHAM. (Star, 29 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1899
CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. (Auckland Star, 29 May 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1899
INTERPROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES. (Evening Post, 29 May 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1899
JUNIOR FLAG. (Star, 29 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1899
CANTERBURY RUGBY UNION. (Star, 31 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 June 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Jun 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Jun 1899
LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. (Star, 05 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 June 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1899
ENTERTAINMENTS. (Star, 09 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1899
Canterbury Championship. (Colonist, 12 June 1899) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 June 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
19 Jun 1899
JUNIOR FLAG. (Star, 19 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1899
LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. (Star, 19 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 June 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jun 1899
FOOTBALL. (Star, 21 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1899
CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. (Colonist, 21 June 1899) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 June 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1899
LOCAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (Star, 26 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1899
FOOTBALL. (Timaru Herald, 26 June 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1899
WELLINGTON CUP MATCHES. (Auckland Star, 26 June 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 June 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1899
Untitled (Otago Witness, 29 June 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 June 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1899
CHRISTCHURCH MATCHES. (Colonist, 30 June 1899) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jul 1899
HOCKEY. (Star, 03 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. July 1. (North Otago Times, 03 July 1899) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 July 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1899
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 06 July 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 07 July 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 08 July 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1899
FOOTBALL. (Star, 10 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 11 July 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 12 July 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1899
DEATHS. (Star, 12 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1899
MARRIAGES. (Star, 15 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1899
LOCAL GOVERNMENT NOTES. MUNICIPALITIES AND LABOUR. (Star, 15 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1899
JUNIOR FLAG. (Star, 17 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 July 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1899
FOOTBALL. (Star, 24 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 July 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 July 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1899
A REPLY. (Star, 29 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jul 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 July 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Aug 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 08 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Aug 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 11 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1899
HOCKEY. (Star, 11 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1899
CHURCH OF ENGLAND TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. (Star, 12 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1899
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Star, 14 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Aug 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Aug 1899
FOOTBALL. (Star, 18 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1899
SPORTING. (Wanganui Herald, 18 August 1899) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1899
SEVEN-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT. (Star, 21 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1899
JUNIOR COMPETITION. (Star, 21 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Aug 1899
THE VOLUNTEERS. (Star, 22 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 23 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Aug 1899
THE ABATTOIR QUESTION. (Star, 30 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1899
CYCLING. (Star, 31 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 09 September 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Sept 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 September 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Sept 1899
COUNCIL. (Star, 12 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1899
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBITEM. (Star, 12 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 13 September 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Sept 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 September 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 16 September 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 September 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1899
LINWOOD. (Star, 19 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 20 September 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
22 Sept 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 September 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“"Sydenham"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch