How many records does the archive hold?

70,536 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.

“Story”, the shelf

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

1,158 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 1910s
5 Aug 1911
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 05 August 1911) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1911
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Feilding Star, 08 August 1911) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1911
CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITIONS SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times 10-4-1911) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1911
WHAT IS WRONG WITH ENGLISH? (Ashburton Guardian, 09 October 1911) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1911
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 23 October 1911) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1911
WOMEN IN PRINT. (Evening Post, 08 November 1911) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1911
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (NZ Truth, 16 December 1911) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1911
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (NZ Truth, 30 December 1911) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1912
ENTERTAINMENTS. (Mataura Ensign 1-5-1912) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1912
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (NZ Truth, 13 January 1912) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1912
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 25 January 1912) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1912
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 16 February 1912) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1912
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 March 1912) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1912
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 13 March 1912) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1912
CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITIONS (Evening Post, 17 May 1912) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1912
THE HON. GEORGE FOWLDS. (Feilding Star, 15 August 1912) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1912
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 13 September 1912) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1912
THE CITY. (Ashburton Guardian, 28 October 1912) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Dec 1912
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 28 December 1912) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1913
TOWN EDITION. (Poverty Bay Herald, 28 January 1913) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1913
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 March 1913) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1913
FOOTBALL RUGBY. (Otago Daily Times 20-3-1913) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1913
COMPETITIONS IN CHRISTCHURCH (Evening Post, 19 April 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1913
COLD, CALLOUS CHARITY. (NZ Truth, 17 May 1913) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1913
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 23 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 25 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1913
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 27 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 01 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 02 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1913
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 04 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 14 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 15 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1913
A FICTITIOUS STORY. (Wanganui Chronicle, 11 November 1913) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1914
EX-BOOKMAKER CHARGED (Evening Post, 02 June 1914) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1915
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS (Hawera & Normanby Star, 12 January 1915) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1915
CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITIONS (Evening Post, 17 March 1915) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1915
CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITIONS. (Otago Daily Times 17-3-1915) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1915
THIEVING AND RECEIVING (NZ Truth, 17 April 1915) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Apr 1915
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 April 1915) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1915
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (NZ Truth, 15 May 1915) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1915
Page 9 Advertisements Column 5 (NZ Truth, 22 May 1915) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1915
Page 9 Advertisements Column 4 (NZ Truth, 05 June 1915) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1915
CHRISTCHURCH (NZ Truth, 26 June 1915) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1915
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (NZ Truth, 10 July 1915) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1915
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 10 July 1915) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1915
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 26 October 1915) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1916
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 15 February 1916) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1916
ITEMS OF INTEREST (Marlborough Express, 02 August 1916) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1916
ANCIENT HISTORY—STORY OF A WRECK (Evening Post, 29 November 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1917
AIM FIEND (NZ Truth, 24 February 1917) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1917
A YOUNG CRIMINAL (Hawera & Normanby Star, 26 February 1917) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1917
WANTED TO SEE HOUSE BLAZE (Grey River Argus, 08 March 1917) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1917
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Wairarapa Daily Times, 27 March 1917) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1917
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 21 June 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1917
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 23 June 1917) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1917
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Wanganui Chronicle, 24 July 1917) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1917
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 24 September 1917) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1917
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 20 October 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1917
SICE AND WOUNDED (Evening Post, 09 November 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1917
DETAILS OF THE ARREST. (Thames Star, 16 November 1917) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1917
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 28 December 1917) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1918
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 11 January 1918) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1918
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 08 February 1918) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1918
THE COLONIST. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1918. NEWS OF THE DAY. (Colonist, 01 March 1918) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1918
TOTAL OF 750 NAMES (Evening Post, 13 March 1918) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Mar 1918
1993-026.2 by RNZAF Official · Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photograph Collection · Air Force Museum of New Zealand
23 Mar 1918
IMPROVEMENTS (Grey River Argus, 23 March 1918) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1918
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 18 June 1918) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1918
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 12 October 1918) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Oct 1918
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Northern Advocate, 23 October 1918) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1918
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 December 1918) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1919
FIRE AT KARORI (Evening Post, 20 January 1919) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1919
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 February 1919) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1919
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, THURSDAY, FEB. 20, 1919. WILL THE INFLUENZA COME BACK? (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 February 1919) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1919
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wairarapa Daily Times, 05 May 1919) Wairarapa Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1919
NICE AND NEIGHBORLY (NZ Truth, 05 July 1919) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1919
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 18 July 1919) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jul 1919
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 July 1919) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1919
OUR FINANCES. (Grey River Argus, 25 July 1919) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1919
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 11 September 1919) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1919
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 07 November 1919) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1919
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 November 1919) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1920s
28 Jan 1920
A PLANNED CITY (Evening Post, 28 January 1920) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Mar 1920
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 13 March 1920) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1920
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 19 March 1920) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1920
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 03 April 1920) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1920
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Ellesmere Guardian, 07 April 1920) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1920
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Northern Advocate, 04 May 1920) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1921
WOMEN IN PRINT (Evening Post, 06 April 1921) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1921
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Hawera & Normanby Star, 21 May 1921) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1921
HALSWELL SENSATION. (Ashburton Guardian, 27 May 1921) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1921
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Ashburton Guardian, 30 July 1921) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1921
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Ellesmere Guardian, 06 August 1921) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1922
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 17 March 1922) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1922
Some of the first-prize winners in the recent Napier Musical and Elocutionary competition by Auckland Weekly News; A. B. Hurst · Auckland Weekly News · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
29 Jul 1922
CHRISTCHURCH COMPETITION. (NZ Truth, 29 July 1922) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1922
Page 12 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 23 October 1922) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1922
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 20 December 1922) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1922
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Evening Post, 26 December 1922) 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.

“Story”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch