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.

8,643 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 Apr 1897
FOOTBALL. (Evening Post, 20 April 1897) Evening Post · 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
23 Apr 1897
FOOTBALL. (Star, 23 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
27 Apr 1897
ANNUAL ELECTIONS. (Star, 27 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1897
WEST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1897
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 01 May 1897) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1897
FOOTBALL. (Star, 07 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Clutha Leader, 07 May 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1897
EAST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL. (Star, 11 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1897
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 11 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1897
INTERPROVINCIAL SPORTING GOSSIP. (Star, 18 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1897
LOCAL ACT GENERAL. (Star, 27 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 31 May 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jun 1897
REVISED CRICKET RECORDS. (Otago Witness, 03 June 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1897
VICTORIA PARK. (Star, 15 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jun 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 15 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jun 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 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
25 Jun 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1897
JUNIOR FLAG. (Star, 28 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1897
FASH AND STATION. (Otago Witness, 01 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Tuapeka Times, 07 July 1897) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1897
ADDINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT. (Star, 10 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 13 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1897
PRESIDENT'S CUP. (Star, 19 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1897
THE RIVAL QUARRIES. (Star, 27 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1897
WRECK OF HUDDART PARKER STEAMER (Taranaki Herald, 02 August 1897) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 August 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
9 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 09 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
10 Aug 1897
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 10 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 August 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
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
16 Aug 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 16 August 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1897
SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION. (Star, 17 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 21 August 1897) Oxford Observer · 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
30 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1897
WOOLSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 11 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Poverty Bay Herald, 13 September 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1897
MAGISTERIAL (Star, 17 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Sept 1897
CANTERBURY ROWING CLUB. (Star, 17 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 September 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1897
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 28 September 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1897
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 29 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 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Oxford Observer, 02 October 1897) Oxford Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1897
COUOTEI NEWS. (Star, 02 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1897
CHRISTCHURCH FOOTBALL CLUB. (Star, 04 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Clutha Leader, 08 October 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1897
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 08 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1897
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. (Timaru Herald, 11 October 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 October 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Clutha Leader, 15 October 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 16 October 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Tuapeka Times, 16 October 1897) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 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
22 Oct 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Clutha Leader, 22 October 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1897
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 22 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 26 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Clutha Leader, 29 October 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1897
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 10 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1897
THE WAIMAKARIRI. (Star, 15 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Thames Star, 24 November 1897) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1897
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times, 25 November 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1897
The Timaru Herald. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1897. TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 26 November 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1897
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 02 December 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1897
LOCAL AND GENEEAL. (Star, 14 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1897
MAYORAL INSTALLATIONS. (Star, 15 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1897
N.Z. PARLIAMENT, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7. (Otago Witness, 16 December 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 places
11 Jan 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1898
SYDENHAM. (Star, 11 January 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch