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.

5,912 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
21 Jan 1902
PERSONAL. (Star, 21 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 24 January 1902) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
27 Jan 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
5 Feb 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1902
COLONIAL REINFORCEMENTS. (Star, 06 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1902
THE WEATHER. (Star, 06 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1902
WHERE TO SPEND A HOLIDAY. (Star, 19 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 20 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1902
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE (West Coast Times, 06 March 1902) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1902
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Wanganui Chronicle, 06 March 1902) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1902
THE METHODIST CONFERENCE. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 06 March 1902) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Mar 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1902
A RAILWAY ACCIDENT. MISHAP ON THE NORTH LINE. (Star, 10 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1902
METHODIST CONFERENCE (Evening Post, 11 March 1902) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1902
CHRISTCHURCH DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 12 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1902
Masterton Agricultural Society's Show, February 25, 1902. (Otago Witness, 12 March 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1902
THE NOMINAL ROLL. (Otago Witness, 19 March 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
4 Apr 1902
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 04 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1902
NOMINAL ROLL. (Star, 04 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1902
DEATHS. (Star, 11 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
19 Apr 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1902
PERSONAL. (Star, 01 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
7 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1902
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 13 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 26 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1902
Social Column. (Ashburton Guardian, 14 June 1902) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jun 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1902
THE WAR MEDALS. (Star, 24 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1902
NEW ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES (Otago Witness, 09 July 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1902
COSY CORNER CLUB. FOURTH SESSION, SECOND MEETING (Otago Witness, 09 July 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jul 1902
NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS. (Star, 17 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 17 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Jul 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Aug 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Aug 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Aug 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1902
THE ALLEGED HORSE FIEND. (Star, 16 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Sept 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Sept 1902
CHRISTCHURCH NEWS NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 9. (Otago Witness, 17 September 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 September 1902) 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