How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“Story”, the shelf

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

1,109 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
3 Oct 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1895
West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1896. (West Coast Times, 04 November 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Nov 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Nov 1895
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 November 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1896
POLITICAL NOTES. (Tuapeka Times, 15 February 1896) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1896
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. (Otago Daily Times, 11 June 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 08 October 1896) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 October 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 27 January 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1897
Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1897. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 February 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1897
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 11 February 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1897
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 24 February 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 20 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1897
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 31 March 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 17 April 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 May 1897
TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. DAIRY INDUSTRY. (Mataura Ensign, 13 May 1897) Mataura Ensign · 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
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · 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
30 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 August 1897) 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
2 Oct 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Tuapeka Times, 16 October 1897) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 January 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1898
Untitled (Manawatu Herald, 08 February 1898) Manawatu Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 16 February 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1898
CRICKET. (Star, 15 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1898
THE CRICKET GROUND PAVILION (Auckland Star, 07 April 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1898
New Zealand Notes. (Northern Advocate, 04 June 1898) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1898
Local and General. (Ashburton Guardian, 04 June 1898) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 08 June 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1898
THE WAR (Wanganui Herald, 16 June 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1898
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 June 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jun 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 27 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1898
SALE OF CLYDESDALE STALLION. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 23 September 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1898
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 13 October 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 26 October 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1898
West Coast Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1898. A VINDICATION. (West Coast Times, 03 December 1898) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1899
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1890. (Otago Daily Times, 15 April 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1899
LoOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 May 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1899
Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1899. (Manawatu Herald, 22 June 1899) Manawatu Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1899
HEROIC DEEDS. (Wanganui Herald, 29 June 1899) Wanganui Herald · 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
21 Jul 1899
Nelson Evening Mail FRIDAY, JULY 21, 1899. (Nelson Evening Mail, 21 July 1899) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1899
CHRISTCHURCH (Star, 18 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 October 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1899
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1899
THE TOLL OF THE SEA, (Otago Witness, 30 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
Photographs of oil paintings by John McIntosh Madden Drayton album · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
16 Jan 1900
AN INTERESTING CAREER. (Star, 16 January 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1900
OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND CONTINGENT. (Otago Witness, 22 February 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1900
By Crackshot.] RACING FIXTURES. THE TURF. (Evening Post, 24 February 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
24 Feb 1900
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 24 February 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
24 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 24 March 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1900
THE CONTINGENTS. (Otago Witness, 05 April 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 May 1900
THE Grey River Argus (Grey River Argus, 02 May 1900) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 May 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 May 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 May 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1900
LETTERS FROM LITTIE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 14 June 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1900
ENTERTAINMENTS, ETC. (Evening Post, 12 July 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 24 July 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Aug 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 09 August 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Sept 1900
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 07 September 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1900
MATRIMONIAL AGENCIES. (Wanganui Herald, 24 September 1900) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1900
rUDU3HBI> DAILTi] PATUHDAY. SEPTEMBER 29, 190 H. THE WANG&NUI PQST OFFICE. (Wanganui Herald, 29 September 1900) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Oct 1900
OLD WRITERS' WEEK. (Otago Witness, 10 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1900
WHEN CANTERBURY WAS YOUNG. (Star, 30 October 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1900
The Taranaki Herald. PUBLISHED DAILY. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1900. (Taranaki Herald, 30 October 1900) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 31 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 28 November 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 01 December 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1900
Untitled (Otago Witness, 05 December 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 17 December 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1900
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 18 December 1900) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1900
THE COLONIST. Published Daily��Morning Nelson, Wednesday, December 19,1900. THE POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA. (Colonist, 19 December 1900) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1900
DE WET ASKS FOR UNACCEPTABLE TERMS. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 16 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1901
OUR SIXTH CONTINGENT. NOTES FROM NEWTOWN CAMP. (Evening Post, 19 January 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1901) Otago Witness · 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
21 Feb 1901
Ashburton Guardian Magnaest Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1901. (Ashburton Guardian, 21 February 1901) Ashburton Guardian · 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.

“Story”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch