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.

“North Beach”, the shelf

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

1,570 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
15 Oct 1891
REPRESENTATION; (Star, 15 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 27 November 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1892
CHRISTCHURCH to DUNEDIN—(Week-Days)—continued. (Ashburton Guardian, 09 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1892
Railway Time-Table. (Ashburton Guardian, 25 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 29 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 08 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 11 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 12 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 15 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 22 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Feb 1892
ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. (Otago Daily Times, 23 February 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 23 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 25 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 26 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Feb 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 27 February 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 10 March 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Mar 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 11 March 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 22 March 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Apr 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 01 April 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1892
THE ELGINSHIRE. (Otago Daily Times, 14 May 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1892
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1892. (Otago Daily Times, 31 May 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jun 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 June 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1892
THE GENERAL ELECTION. (Otago Witness, 14 July 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1892
Latest Local. (Star, 29 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1892
ARTHUR STREET SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 August 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Sept 1892
SUPPOSED FATALITY. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, September 12. (North Otago Times, 13 September 1892) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. September 13. (North Otago Times, 14 September 1892) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 02 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 November 1892) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 25 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Feb 1893
DEATHS. (Auckland Star, 23 February 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1893
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 21 March 1893) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Apr 1893
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 07 April 1893) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Apr 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jun 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jul 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1893
ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES (Auckland Star, 07 September 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 24 November 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 08 December 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1893
Local & General. (Star, 08 December 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 December 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1894
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Nelson Evening Mail, 22 January 1894) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1894
Local is General. (Star, 02 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1894
Local & General. (Star, 21 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1894
West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1894. (West Coast Times, 23 February 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 12 April 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 April 1894) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1894
Local & General. (Star, 27 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 May 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 08 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1894
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
4 Jun 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 June 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1894
COLONIAL SKETCHES. (Otago Witness, 07 June 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1894
NEW BRIGHTON JOTTINGS. (Star, 19 June 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1894
OVERLAND FROM NELSON TO SOUTHLAND IN 1856. [By W. H. S. Roberts.] may 1856 (Continued.) (North Otago Times, 10 July 1894) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1894
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, July 26. (North Otago Times, 28 July 1894) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1894
ARBOR DAY. (Star, 01 August 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1894
NZ. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 23 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1894
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 20 October 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1894
POSTAL NOTICES. SALES BY AUCTION. (West Coast Times, 10 November 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1894
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 26 November 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 17 December 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1894
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS INTERPROVINCIAL. (West Coast Times, 18 December 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1895
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 22 January 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1895
DRAINAGE PLUMBING. (Evening Post, 03 April 1895) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Apr 1895
POSTAL NOTICES, (West Coast Times, 29 April 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1895
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 13 May 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1895
POST OFFICE NOTICES. (Otago Daily Times, 02 July 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1895
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 10 October 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1895
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 November 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 03 January 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 04 January 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 06 January 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1896
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1896. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Feb 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 01 February 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 14 February 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 02 March 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 27 March 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1896
O-RUA-PAEROA. (Star, 27 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1896
POSTAL NOTICES (West Coast Times, 09 May 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1896
AN UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANT. (Otago Daily Times, 12 May 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. (West Coast Times, 05 June 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1896
POSTAL NOTICES. MAILS CLOSE. (West Coast Times, 06 June 1896) West Coast 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.

“North Beach”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch