How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“Four Square”, the shelf

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

1,544 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 1900s
24 Sept 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 September 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 12 November 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 November 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1904
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1904
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1904. (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 December 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Dec 1904
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1904
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 January 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 January 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 17 January 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1905
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 18 January 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1905
IN AND OUT OF LONDON (Otago Witness, 25 January 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 15 March 1905) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1905
UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION. (Otago Witness, 15 March 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1905
THE MIDLAND EAILWAY (Star, 30 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1905
Untitled (Manawatu Standard, 13 April 1905) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1905
CHAPTER IX. (Otago Witness, 31 May 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Jun 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1905
CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS. (Wanganui Chronicle, 07 June 1905) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jun 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Jun 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1905
Untitled (Manawatu Standard, 11 August 1905) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1905
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 23 August 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1905
CABLE NEWS [BY ELECTRIC TELEGHAPH. — COPYBIGHT.] (Evening Post, 23 August 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1905
Page 7 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 30 August 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Sept 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1905
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 06 September 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1905
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 18 September 1905) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 September 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 16 October 1905) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 24 October 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1905
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Nov 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Nov 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Nov 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1905
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1905
BANDSMEN'S COLUMN. (Star, 09 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1905
Untitled (Manawatu Times, 13 December 1905) Manawatu Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 30 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 January 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1906
THE GENERAL ELECTION. (Otago Witness, 24 January 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Feb 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 03 March 1906) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1906
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1906
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 March 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1906
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 April 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 April 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 April 1906) 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.

“Four Square”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch