How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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 Common”, the shelf

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

963 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
12 Sept 1895
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Auckland Star, 12 September 1895) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1895
CHRISTCHURCH SHOW. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, November 7. (North Otago Times, 08 November 1895) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
17 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 17 January 1896) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1896
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 27-1-1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1896
CHRISTCHURCH SUBSCRIPTIONS. (Star, 04 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1896
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 14 May 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 May 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 May 1896) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jul 1896
THE LATE MR PETER CUNNINGHAM. (Star, 27 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1896
QThe Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette Published Daily. SATURDAY, SEPT. 26, 1896. Local and General News. (Feilding Star, 26 September 1896) Feilding 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
3 Nov 1896
ELECTORAL. (Star, 03 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1896
ELECTORAL. (Star, 03 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1897
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Mar 1897
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE (West Coast Times, 09 March 1897) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1897
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Nelson Evening Mail, 09 March 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1897
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Star, 09 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1897
BISHOPDALE SKETCHING CLUB. (Nelson Evening Mail, 04 May 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1897
REVISED CRICKET RECORDS. (Otago Witness, 03 June 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1897
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 02 July 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1897
VOLUNTEERING IN THE EARLY DAYS. (Star, 12 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1897
SUPREME COURT. (Star, 16 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 October 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1897
A ROUND-THE-WORLD TRIP. (Otago Witness, 28 October 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1897
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 02 December 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Dec 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 07 December 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Feb 1898
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY (Auckland Star, 09 February 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Apr 1898
CURRENT TOPICS. (Otago Daily Times, 09 April 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jun 1898
BOROUGH COUNCILS. (Star, 28 June 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1898
THE VOYAGE OF THE FRAM. (Wanganui Herald, 28 June 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 26 July 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jul 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 27 July 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 02 August 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1898
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1898. (Otago Daily Times, 15 September 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1898
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 17 October 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 26 November 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Dec 1898
NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL. (New Zealand Tablet, 01 December 1898) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1898
THE EXHIBITION. (Auckland Star, 13 December 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1898
THE PROPOSED DISARMAMENT. (Auckland Star, 30 December 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 March 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 16 March 1899) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1899
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 17 March 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1899
TELEGRAMS (Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1899) Otago Daily Times · 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
22 May 1899
TOWN & COUNTRY (Timaru Herald, 22 May 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1899
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 03 June 1899) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 16 June 1899) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
11 Sept 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1899
PARLIAMENTARY. (Timaru Herald, 30 September 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1899
PARLIAMENT DAY BY DAY. (Poverty Bay Herald, 06 October 1899) Poverty Bay Herald · 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
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
11 Dec 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 December 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 December 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
4 Jan 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1900
ANGLING. (Otago Witness, 18 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
25 Jan 1900
THE PATRIOTIC FUND. (Otago Witness, 25 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 01 February 1900) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Feb 1900
THE Grey River Argus. (Grey River Argus, 13 February 1900) Grey River Argus · 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
1 Mar 1900
THE FOURTH CONTINGENT (Otago Witness, 01 March 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1900
The Ensign GOEE: TUESDAY, APEIL 17. (Mataura Ensign, 17 April 1900) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1900
WORKMEN'S TRAINS. (Star, 01 June 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1900
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 18 June 1900) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1900
A VISIT TO THE CHIEF POULTRY YARDS (Otago Witness, 21 June 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1900
CHRISTCHURCH GRAIN AND PRODUCE MARKETS. (Christchurch Press.) (North Otago Times, 10 September 1900) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 October 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1900
WHEN CANTERBURY WAS YOUNG. (Star, 30 October 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Nov 1900
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 02 November 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 07 November 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1900
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1900) Otago Witness · 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
7 Dec 1900
A CHILD ACCUSED OF �� MURDER. BIRTHS. DEATHS. LATEST SHIPPING. LATEST SHIPPING. LYTTELTON. SHIPPING TELEGRAMS. AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING. EXPRESS PASSENGER LIST. LOCAL AND GENERAL. CITY EDITION. IMPURE BEER. COMMERCIAL. ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. WRECK OF A STEAMER. ACCIDENTS AND SEA. A BOATING ACCIDENT. DROWNING FATALITY AT NEW BRIGHTON. MINING. LAWN TENNIS. THE WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA IN PURSUIT OF DE WEST. THE REPULSE OF A BEER ATTACK. OPPERATION IN THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL. THE AMEER ON BRITISH SUCCESSES. ' THE NETHERLAND AND ARBITRATION. RETURNING TROOPS. GALLANT NEW ZEALANDERS. DEATH OF TROOPER SMITH. FIRES. THE CRISIS CHINA. A WARNING. AMERICA'S LATEST DECISION. WELLINGTION MANSLAUGHTER CASE. CONFERENCE OF MAORI STUDENTS. THE POSTEL DEPARTMENT. LAND SETTLEMENT. THE JUBILEE EXIBITION. BOWLING. PERSONAL SPORTING. AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH. AUSTRALIA. A SERIES OF CHARGES. SUPREME COURT.. DUNEDIN NEWS. SCHOOL COMMITTEES. OPERA HOUSE. CYCLING. (Star, 07 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1901
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD FOR THE YEAR 1900. (Otago Witness, 02 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1901
The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1901. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 January 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1901
SACRED HEART BASILICA, WELLINGTON. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 February 1901) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1901
THE NEW CATHEDRAL, CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 February 1901) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Feb 1901
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Thames Star, 28 February 1901) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 28 February 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Mar 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 March 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1901
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 27 March 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1901
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 April 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1901
GREATER CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 April 1901) 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 Common”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch