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.

“Upper West”, the shelf

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

1,127 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 Dec 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 December 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1894
The Marlborough Express. published every evening. Tuesday, December 4, 1894. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 04 December 1894) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 December 1894) Star · 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
31 Dec 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894. 1894. (Evening Post, 31 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1895
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 22 January 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1895
LEAFLETS FOR FARMERS. (Otago Witness, 21 March 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1895
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 October 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1895
OTAGO A: AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Dec 1895
PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS. (Star, 20 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 December 1895) Star · 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
21 Jan 1896
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1896
WESLEYAN- CONFERENCE. (Star, 03 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1896
Wesleyan Conterence. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 07 March 1896) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1896
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 14 March 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1896
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Otago Daily Times, 17 March 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1896
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 21 March 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1896
PROHIBITION CONVENTION. (Otago Witness, 09 April 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Apr 1896
A "CONVENTION ' IN CHRIST GHURGH. (West Coast Times, 14 April 1896) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1896
The Marlborugh Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1896. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 May 1896) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Aug 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 09 September 1896) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1896
Untitled (Star, 01 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 08 December 1896) Auckland 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
30 Jan 1897
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 30 January 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 03 February 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1897) Otago Witness · 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
8 Mar 1897
Wesleyan Conterence. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 08 March 1897) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
2 Oct 1897
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 08 November 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 20 November 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 09 December 1897) Auckland Star · 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
26 Feb 1898
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE (West Coast Times, 26 February 1898) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1898
Biographical Notes of Settlers of the First Decade. THE OLD IDENTITY. (Otago Witness, 31 March 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1898
LQCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 April 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1898
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 20 April 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 30 April 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 12 September 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1898
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. (Otago Witness, 29 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 18 February 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1899
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Auckland Star, 03 March 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1899
THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE. (Timaru Herald, 03 March 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 25 March 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Mar 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 29 March 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Apr 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 05 April 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
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
9 May 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1899
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 10 May 1899) Otago Daily Times · 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
16 Aug 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Aug 1899
MR G.W. RUSSELL AT RICCARTON. (Star, 22 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Aug 1899
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 30 August 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1899
ELECTORAL. (Star, 16 November 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
7 Dec 1899
DETAILS OF THE POLLING (Otago Daily Times, 07 December 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
Wainoni Park – group photo 2010 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
4 Jan 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 January 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
2 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Feb 1900
THE CANTERBURY TROOP. (Star, 13 February 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1900
THE THIRD NEW ZEALAND (Star, 16 February 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 February 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Mar 1900
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 14 March 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
23 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1900
THE FIFTH CONTINGENT. (Star, 24 March 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Mar 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 March 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Apr 1900
THE FIFTH COTINGENT. (Otago Daily Times, 02 April 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 April 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 April 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 April 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1900
THE ROLL CALL. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 April 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 April 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 April 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 May 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 May 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1900
DEATHS. (Auckland Star, 10 May 1900) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 August 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 August 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 places

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.

“Upper West”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch