How many records does the archive hold?

78,375 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.

“Victoria Free House”, the shelf

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

1,317 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
23 Jul 1897
Page 20 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 23 July 1897) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 August 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
14 Aug 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 November 1897) Star · 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
16 Dec 1897
N.Z. PARLIAMENT, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7. (Otago Witness, 16 December 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 places
7 Jan 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1898
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1898. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 February 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1898
COMMERCIAL. (Otago Daily Times, 03 March 1898) Otago Daily Times · 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
29 Apr 1898
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 29 April 1898) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 07 May 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1898
WHATTHE PAPERS SAY. (Observer, 28 May 1898) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1898
The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 11, 1898. TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 11 June 1898) Timaru 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
12 Sept 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 12 September 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 November 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1898
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Poverty Bay Herald, 15 December 1898) Poverty Bay Herald · 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
31 Dec 1898
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 1898. (Otago Daily Times, 31 December 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1899
STAGE GOSSIP. (Otago Witness, 02 March 1899) Otago Witness · 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
4 May 1899
LoOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 May 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Jul 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 20 July 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1899
UPPER HOUSE REFORIM. (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 August 1899) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
5 Sept 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 05 September 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Sept 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 28 September 1899) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
28 Dec 1899
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. (Otago Witness, 28 December 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1900s
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
5 Apr 1900
THE CONTINGENTS. (Otago Witness, 05 April 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Apr 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 April 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 21 April 1900) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1900
DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 26 April 1900) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 11 May 1900) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 18-5-1900) Otago Daily Times · 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
26 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 July 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1900
PERSONAL NOTES FROM LONDON. (Auckland Star, 31 July 1900) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1900) Otago Witness · 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
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 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1900) Star · 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
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
16 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 16 January 1901) Otago Witness · 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
9 Feb 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 February 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 March 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 March 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 13 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
30 Mar 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 March 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1901
NEWS ITEMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 May 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jun 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 June 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1901
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 June 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1901
THE ROYAL VISIT. (Otago Witness, 12 June 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jun 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Wanganui Chronicle, 26 June 1901) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1901
THE NELSON CELEBRATIONS. (Colonist, 29 June 1901) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1901
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE, TUESDAY, JULY 2, 1901. (Poverty Bay Herald, 02 July 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1901
THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 July 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1901
NEWS ITEMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 July 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 05 August 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1901
BASIC SLAG: WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT ACTS. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 28 August 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 August 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 September 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1901
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1901
The Grey River Argus (Grey River Argus, 26 September 1901) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Sept 1901
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1901
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 October 1901) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1901
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 October 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 October 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1901
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 October 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 November 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 November 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 November 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1901
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 November 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Dec 1901
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 12-9-1901) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1901
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1901
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Dec 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1902
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 17 January 1902) Grey River Argus · 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.

“Victoria Free House”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch