How many records does the archive hold?

70,536 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.

“Cathedral Square Market”, the shelf

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

796 records matching 99 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
11 Jul 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1896
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1896
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jun 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1897
THE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. (Wanganui Chronicle, 22 June 1897) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1897
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 02 July 1897) Clutha Leader · 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
17 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 17 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
21 Aug 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 1897) Star · 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
29 Oct 1897
Irish News. (New Zealand Tablet, 29 October 1897) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Clutha Leader, 22 April 1898) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 February 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 April 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 April 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 May 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Ellesmere Guardian, 20 May 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
29 Jul 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 July 1899) Star · 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
19 Aug 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
30 Sept 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 October 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 09 October 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
[Forms of transport in Australia and New Zealand] by Victoria. State Rivers and Water Supply Commission photographer. · State Library of Victoria · State Library of Victoria
21 Mar 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 March 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Apr 1900
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 April 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 April 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 May 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 May 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 July 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 July 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1900
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 24-7-1900) Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 July 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1900
THE JUBILEE MEMORIAL (Star, 01 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1900
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1900
THE JUBILEE MEMORIAL (Star, 10 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 September 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1900
THE CHURCHES. (Star, 15 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1901
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 February 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 March 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1901
JUBILEE MEMORIAL. (Star, 08 March 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 April 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1901
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 April 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1901
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 September 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Sept 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Nov 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 November 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
1 Feb 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Feb 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 01 February 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
19 Feb 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 March 1902) 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.

“Cathedral Square Market”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch