How many records does the archive hold?

80,797 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.

“The Free Theatre”, the shelf

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

863 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
6 Sept 1904
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 06 September 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Wanganui Herald, 09 September 1904) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1904
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1904
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1904. (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 December 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1904
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 05 December 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1904
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 30 December 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1905
TABLE TALK. MOnday, January IG. (Otago Witness, 18 January 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1905
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY. JAN. 18. 1905. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 January 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1905
All Sorts of People (New Zealand Free Lance, 28 January 1905) New Zealand Free Lance · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1905
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY. MAR. 8. 1905. (Poverty Bay Herald, 08 March 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 31 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1905
THE DICTATES OF FASHION. (Wanganui Herald, 27 April 1905) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 August 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1905
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 September 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 03 October 1905) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1905
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, NOV. 4. 1905. (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 November 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 06 February 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1906
Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, FRIDAY, FEB. 9, 1906. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 February 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Feb 1906
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1906
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1906
METHODIST CHURCH CON-FERENCE. (Otago Witness, 28 February 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1906
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 March 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1906
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 April 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Apr 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 07 April 1906) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 April 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 April 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jun 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 June 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1906
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Witness, 13 June 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 June 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Jul 1906
Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1906. (Poverty Bay Herald, 14 July 1906) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1906
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 03 September 1906) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1906
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 September 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times 17-10-1906) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 October 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1906
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 30 November 1906) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1906
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 03 December 1906) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 December 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Dec 1906
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 December 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 December 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1906
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 28 December 1906) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 February 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 February 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 March 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1907
Taranaki Herald MONDAY, MARCH 18, 1907. THE HARBOUR. (Taranaki Herald, 18 March 1907) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Mar 1907
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 March 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1907
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 April 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 April 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Apr 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 April 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1907
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1907
NEWS NOTES. (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 May 1907) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1907
STAGE GOSSIP. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1907
THEATRICAL AND MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1907) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1907
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 August 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1907
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 September 1907) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1907
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 September 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1907
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 October 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Nov 1907
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 November 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 December 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1908
Untitled (Otago Witness, 15 January 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1908
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 11 February 1908) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 February 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 February 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1908
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 04 March 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 March 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1908
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 March 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Mar 1908
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 March 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 March 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 March 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
31 Mar 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 March 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 April 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1908
Untitled (Otago Witness, 06 May 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
18 May 1908
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 May 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1908
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 June 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1908
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 July 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jul 1908
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 July 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1908
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 August 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1908
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 August 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1908
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 August 1908) 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.

“The Free Theatre”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch