How many records does the archive hold?

69,585 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.

“Lost Property”, the shelf

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

992 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
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
13 Oct 1897
Financial Statement. (Nelson Evening Mail, 13 October 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Tuapeka Times, 16 October 1897) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1897
PARLIAMENTARY NOTES. (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 November 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Nov 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
27 Jan 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 January 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 March 1898) Star · 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
6 Apr 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 06 April 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 12 April 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 September 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1898
The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 1898. THE WAR CLOUD. (Wanganui Herald, 19 September 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1898
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 08 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 December 1898) 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
10 Jan 1899
BOROUGH COUNCILS. (Star, 10 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 January 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1899
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 January 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1899
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 March 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 May 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1899
GOOD HEALTH WITHOUT DRUGS. 2.—THE LARGEST ORGAN IN THE BODY. (Otago Witness, 15 June 1899) Otago Witness · 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
1 Jul 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 01 July 1899) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1899
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 06 July 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 03 August 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1899
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Star, 14 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE. (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
11 Dec 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 December 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
11 Jan 1900
IE A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 January 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
14 Mar 1900
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 14 March 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1900
PASSING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 05 April 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1900
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 April 1900) Star · 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
24 Apr 1900
POLLUTING A WATER-COURSE (Star, 24 April 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1900
THE Grey River Argus (Grey River Argus, 02 May 1900) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 May 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 May 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 May 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 June 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1900
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 June 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 July 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
11 Oct 1900
Untitled (Mataura Ensign, 11 October 1900) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 31 October 1900) Otago Witness · 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
28 Nov 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 28 November 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1900
COUNTRY NEWS. (Otago Daily Times, 07 December 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Dec 1900
THE CHURCHES. (Star, 15 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1900
DE WET ASKS FOR UNACCEPTABLE TERMS. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1901
PAUL BOTHA'S VIEWS. (Manawatu Standard, 17 January 1901) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 March 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1901
ESTABLISHED 1875 The Manawatu Daily Times. The Oldest Manawatu Journal Published Every Evening. SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 1901. (Manawatu Times, 09 March 1901) Manawatu Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1901
THE INQUEST RESUMED. (Wanganui Chronicle, 27 March 1901) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1901
THE CONWAY MYSTERY. (West Coast Times, 27 March 1901) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 April 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1901
District Court.��In Lankrnptey.l (Taranaki Herald, 29 May 1901) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1901
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBOBNE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1901. (Poverty Bay Herald, 05 June 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 July 1901) Star · 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
10 Sept 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 12 September 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1901
MAGISTERIAL. CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1901
IF EATING WERE A CRIME (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 October 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1902
The Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1902. BRITAIN AND GERMANY. (Wanganui Herald, 11 January 1902) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1902
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1902
SPORT AND PASTIME. (Evening Post, 05 April 1902) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1902
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 16 April 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 02 May 1902) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1902
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 04 June 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1902
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 18 June 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1902
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1902
COSY CORNER CLUB. FOURTH SESSION, SECOND MEETING (Otago Witness, 09 July 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1902
THE TROTTING TRACK. (Star, 23 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1902
GREATER CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 29 September 1902) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1902
WEST-LAND COUNTY COUNCIL. (West Coast Times, 09 October 1902) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 November 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 November 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1902
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE. MONDAY, DEC. 1, 1902. PROGRESS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 December 1902) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawera & Normanby Star, 13 December 1902) Hawera & Normanby 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.

“Lost Property”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch