How many records does the archive hold?

92,172 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.

“"a"”, the shelf

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

66,999 records matching 89 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 · Christchurch City Libraries Flickr · V.C. Browne & Son NZ Aerial Photograph Collection · 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 1930s
20 Jan 1938
THE RETURN FOR WOOL (Evening Post, 20 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1938
CHRISTCHURCH GAS DIVIDEND (Evening Post, 21 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Ellesmere Guardian, 21 January 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1938
NEWS OF THE DAY (Evening Post, 21 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1938
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 21 January 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1938
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 21 January 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1938
SURF LIFE-SAVING (Evening Post, 22 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Jan 1938
BROADCASTING (Evening Post, 22 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1938
SURF LIFE-SAVING (Evening Post, 24 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
24 Jan 1938
AUSTRALIAN VISIT (Evening Post, 24 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1938
NURSES CONFER (Evening Post, 25 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1938
BROADCASTING (Evening Post, 25 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Ellesmere Guardian, 25 January 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Ellesmere Guardian, 25 January 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1938
MAN'S BODY FOUND (Evening Post, 26 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1938
MORTGAGE RELIEF (Evening Post, 26 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1938
CARNEGIE GRANTS (Evening Post, 27 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1938
CHRISTCHURCH GAS (Evening Post, 27 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1938
MAN FATALLY INJURED (Evening Post, 29 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1938
AT THE HOTELS (Evening Post, 29 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 31 January 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1938
The winning teams in the New Zealand Surf Life-saving Championships, New Brighton Beach, Christchurch Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
4 Feb 1938
NEWS OF THE DAY (Evening Post, 04 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1938
C.J.C. MEETING (Evening Post, 05 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 07 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1938
BEACH RACING (Evening Post, 07 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 08 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1938
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 08 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1938
ALBATROSS ARRIVES (Evening Post, 09 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 09 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1938
Mr. Thomas H. Rutherford and his wife Mrs Agnes Rutherford after their marriage at St, Luke's Church in Christchurch Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
10 Feb 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 10 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1938
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 10 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1938
LONDON PERSONALS (Evening Post, 10 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1938
MORTGAGE COMMISSIONS (Evening Post, 11 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1938
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 11 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Ellesmere Guardian, 11 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1938
BROADCASTING (Evening Post, 14 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 15 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1938
AT THE HOTELS (Evening Post, 15 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Ellesmere Guardian, 15 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Ellesmere Guardian, 15 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1938
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 15 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1938
SPECTACULAR TIRE (Evening Post, 15 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1938
Motorcycle racers and spectators at the Motor-cycle Beach Championships, New Brighton, Christchurch Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
16 Feb 1938
Swimmers in the breakers at Taylor's Mistake, Christchurch Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
18 Feb 1938
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Ellesmere Guardian, 18 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1938
NEWS OF THE DAY (Evening Post, 18 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1938
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 18 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1938
MASTER PAINTERS (Evening Post, 19 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1938
NEW BRIGHTON T.C. (Evening Post, 19 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 21 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1938
PERSONAL (Ellesmere Guardian, 22 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1938
PERSONAL ITEMS (Evening Post, 22 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1938
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ellesmere Guardian, 22 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Ellesmere Guardian, 22 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1938
AIRPORT NEWS (Evening Post, 23 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 23 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1938
T. H. Green and Company's bacon factory at Addington destroyed by fire Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
23 Feb 1938
Train collision in Dunedin: engine crew's lucky escape Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
24 Feb 1938
THREE GREAT PRELATES (Evening Post, 24 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Feb 1938
A GOOD MUSTER (Evening Post, 24 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1938
INCREASED SALES (Evening Post, 24 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1938
GENERAL ELECTION (Evening Post, 25 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Ellesmere Guardian, 25 February 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1938
Construction of the Municipal Electricity Department building by Municipal Electricity Department · MED Historical Photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
28 Feb 1938
BOY FOUND SHOT (Evening Post, 28 February 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1938
DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOLS' SPORTS. (Ellesmere Guardian, 01 March 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1938
THE "KING'S FIFTY" (Evening Post, 02 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1938
Mrs Adelaide Ell cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremony of the Summit Road over the Port Hills at Christchurch Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
2 Mar 1938
Delegates to the National Rotary Conference in Christchurch entertained by Mr. J. R. McKenzie at a private trotting meeting Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
3 Mar 1938
CHRISTCHURCH TRIALS (Evening Post, 03 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1938
AT THE HOTELS (Evening Post, 03 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Ellesmere Guardian, 04 March 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Ellesmere Guardian, 04 March 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1938
FIFTY YEARS AGO (Evening Post, 05 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1938
NEWS OF THE DAY (Evening Post, 07 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1938
NATIONAL MEETING (Evening Post, 07 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1938
CHRISTCHURCH TRAMS (Evening Post, 07 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1938
CROWD SURPRISED (Evening Post, 07 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Ellesmere Guardian, 08 March 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1938
AT THE HOTELS (Evening Post, 09 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1938
Two large dredges being assembled for gold-mining at Kanieri and Arahua Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
10 Mar 1938
NEW MAGISTRATE (Evening Post, 10 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1938
HARBOUR FORTS (Evening Post, 11 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Mar 1938
MOTOR-CYCLIST KILLED (Evening Post, 11 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 14 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1938
DESTRUCTIVE BLAZE (Evening Post, 14 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1938
IN OTHER CENTRES (Evening Post, 14 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1938
AT THE HOTELS (Evening Post, 15 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Ellesmere Guardian, 15 March 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1938
GENERAL ELECTION (Evening Post, 15 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1938
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 15 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1938
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Ellesmere Guardian, 15 March 1938) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1938
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 16 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1938
FOUND DEAD IN CAR (Evening Post, 16 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1938
Dominion Championships held at Lancaster Park in Christchurch Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
17 Mar 1938
AIRLINER DELAYED (Evening Post, 17 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1938
WIGRAM AERODROME (Evening Post, 18 March 1938) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1938
LADY CHILDEWOOD ARRIVES (Evening Post, 19 March 1938) Evening Post · 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.

“"a"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch