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.

“Merchant”, the shelf

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

1,531 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 1880s
17 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 30 June 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 15 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1885
The Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, JULY 15,1855. (Inangahua Times, 15 July 1885) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 July 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
THE PAY IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. (Evening Post, 21 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 23 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1885
Page 12 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 04 December 1885) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1886
Ordinary Meeting. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 February 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 10 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1886
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
24 Apr 1886
Births, Marriages and Deaths. (Colonist, 24 April 1886) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1886
Page 25 Advertisements Column 3 (New Zealand Tablet, 14 May 1886) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 24 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1886
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1886
THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 28 July 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1886
Alleged Perjury. (Star, 18 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 17 November 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1897. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 16 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 12 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 13 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1887
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 15 April 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 03 September 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 02 November 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 January 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jun 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1888
Local & General. (Star, 13 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1888
THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND. (Auckland Star, 10 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 December 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1888
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 29 December 1888) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1889
SHIPPING, (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1889
WILLIAM FLESHER. (Star, 27 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1889
DEATHS. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 June 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1889
INTER PROVINCIAL. (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 August 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Aug 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
MOUNT SOMERS. (Star, 10 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
8 Nov 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 08 November 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Nov 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (North Otago Times, 15 November 1889) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
10 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1890
Christchurch Liedertafel. (Star, 22 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 March 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
THE COLLEGE AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 22 March 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 11 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 14 April 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1890
NOTES ON A CHRISTCHURCH TRIP. (Otago Witness, 15 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jul 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 20 August 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 29 August 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 September 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jan 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 January 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1891
The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 06 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Mar 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 11 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1891
Untitled (Ashburton Guardian, 01 April 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 June 1891) 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.

“Merchant”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch