How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

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

8,705 records matching 98 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
23 Jan 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1909
SUNDAY SERVICES. (Nelson Evening Mail, 23 January 1909) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1909
THIRD GRADE. (Star, 23 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1909
OTHER MATCHES. (Star, 23 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1909
EXTRA EDITION. CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION. (Evening Post, 23 January 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (NZ Truth, 23 January 1909) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1909
EXAMINATION RESULTS. (Ashburton Guardian, 25 January 1909) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1909
THIRD GRADE. (Star, 30 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 January 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1909
CRICKET., (Otago Witness, 03 February 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 February 1909) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1909
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 05 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1909
THIRD GRADE. (Star, 06 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1909
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 09 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Feb 1909
TABLE TALK (Otago Witness, 10 February 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1909
PERSONAL ITEMS. (Otago Witness, 10 February 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Feb 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1909
OTHER MATCHES. (Poverty Bay Herald, 15 February 1909) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1909
CRICKET. (Evening Post, 15 February 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1909
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Wanganui Chronicle, 17 February 1909) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1909
ALEX. SLIGO, BOOKSELLER, STATIONER, &c, 42 George St., Dunedin. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1909
THIRD GRADE. (Star, 20 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1909
RIFLE SHOOTING. (Star, 20 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1909
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1909
The Grey River Argus and Blackball News. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26th, 1909. (Grey River Argus, 26 February 1909) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Feb 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1909
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 February 1909) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1909
SOUTH ISLAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION. (Star, 27 February 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1909
RIFLE SHOOTING. (Star, 01 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
METHODISM. (Feilding Star, 06 March 1909) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
THIRD GRADE. (Star, 06 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
Untitled (Evening Post, 06 March 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1909
Akaroa from Smith StreetJan Shuttleworth collection Jessie Buckland collection · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
8 Mar 1909
Rue Lavaud from Smith StreetJan Shuttleworth collection Jessie Buckland collection · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
9 Mar 1909
LICENSING COMMITTEES. (Star, 09 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1909
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 09 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1909
THE DEFENCE FORCES. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1909
CRICKET. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1909
METHODIST CHURCH. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1909
FOOTBALL. (Star, 11 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1909
CAPT. PAVITT'S DEATH. (Taranaki Daily News 3-11-1909) Taranaki Daily News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1909
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 12 March 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1909
THE FINAL FIFTY. (Evening Post, 12 March 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Ashburton Guardian, 12 March 1909) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1909
Social Gossip. (New Zealand Free Lance, 13 March 1909) New Zealand Free Lance · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1909
THIRD GRADE (Star, 13 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1909
Untitled (Star, 13 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1909
CRICKET (Wanganui Herald, 17 March 1909) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1909
CRICKET. (Star, 18 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Mar 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 18 March 1909) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1909
CRICKET. (Star, 20 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1909
THIRD GRADE (Star, 27 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 03 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1909
WELLINGTON GREEN. (Evening Post, 05 April 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1909
BOWLING. (Star, 06 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1909
BOWLING. (Star, 10 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1909
MATCHES ELSEWHERE. (Evening Post, 12 April 1909) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1909
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 15 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1909
CITY PROPERTY. (Star, 24 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 April 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1909
APPLICATIONS FOB PATENTS. (Progress, 01 May 1909) Progress · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1909
HOCKEY. (Star, 01 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1909
Untitled (Star, 03 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1909
MARRIAGES. (Otago Witness, 05 May 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1909
TABLE TALK (Otago Witness, 05 May 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1909
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
PRESIDENT'S CUP. (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
JUNIOR FLAG. (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1909
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1909
TABLE TALK (Otago Witness, 12 May 1909) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1909
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Star, 14 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 May 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 May 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 May 1909) 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch