How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“"Smith Street"”, the shelf

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

175 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 1850s
16 Feb 1856
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 16 February 1856) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1859
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 06 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
the 1860s
29 Sept 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 29 September 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Dec 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 26 December 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Dec 1860
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 29 December 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jan 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 02 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1861
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1870s
4 Dec 1871
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1871) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1872
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 10 May 1872) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1875
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1875. (Evening Post, 22 April 1875) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1875
THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 1875. (Evening Post, 22 May 1875) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1877
Evening Post. MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1877. (Evening Post, 19 March 1877) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Nov 1877
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1877. (Evening Post, 06 November 1877) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 26 July 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1879
news of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 April 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Dec 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
20 Jan 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Aug 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 06 August 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
31 Oct 1891
A "CENTRAL" POLLING-PLACE. (Evening Post, 31 October 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 09 November 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 05 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Feilding Star, 10 November 1892) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1893
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 11 July 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 July 1894) Evening Post · 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
7 Apr 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 07 April 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
12 Apr 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 12 April 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
16 May 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Inangahua Times, 16 May 1898) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 17 May 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
29 Jan 1901
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times 29-1-1901) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 22 October 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
23 Oct 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 23 October 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
24 Oct 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 24 October 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 places
25 Oct 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 25 October 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Aug 1903
Page 22 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 06 August 1903) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 26 June 1905) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Nov 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 03 March 1906) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 08 May 1906) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1906
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 31 August 1906) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1906
LADIES CQLUMN. (Evening Post, 24 November 1906) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 11 April 1907) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 12 April 1907) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1908
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 23 October 1908) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Oct 1908
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 October 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1908
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 05 November 1908) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1909
Akaroa from Smith StreetJan Shuttleworth collection Jessie Buckland collection · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
8 Mar 1909
Rue Lavaud from Smith StreetJan Shuttleworth collection Jessie Buckland collection · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
the 1910s
5 Jan 1910
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 05 January 1910) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1910
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 08 March 1910) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1911
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 14 June 1911) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Feb 1913
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 07 February 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1914
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Wanganui Chronicle, 04 May 1914) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1914
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Wanganui Chronicle, 11 May 1914) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1914
Page 11 Advertisements Column 4 (Northern Advocate, 12 May 1914) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1914
Page 11 Advertisements Column 3 (Northern Advocate, 13 May 1914) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1914
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Wanganui Chronicle, 27 May 1914) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1914
Page 11 Advertisements Column 5 (Northern Advocate, 01 June 1914) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1914
Page 11 Advertisements Column 5 (Northern Advocate, 02 June 1914) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1914
Page 11 Advertisements Column 5 (Northern Advocate, 04 June 1914) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1914
Page 11 Advertisements Column 5 (Northern Advocate, 06 June 1914) Northern Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1914
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 10 October 1914) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1915
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 23 January 1915) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 May 1915
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 06 May 1915) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1915
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 14 May 1915) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1915
NEW ZEALAND CASUALTIES (Otago Daily Times 15-5-1915) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1915
NEW ZEALAND CASUALTIES (Clutha Leader 18-5-1915) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1916
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 19-1-1916) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1916
THE SOCIAL SPHERE (Observer, 24 June 1916) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1916
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 16 September 1916) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1917
WELLINGTON RECRUITING DISTRICT (No. 5) (Evening Post, 13 February 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1917
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (NZ Truth, 05 May 1917) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 May 1917
8530 MEN CALLED UP (Evening Post, 08 May 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Jun 1917
WELLINGTON RECRUITING DISTRICT (No. 5) (Evening Post, 06 June 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Sept 1917
15000 MEN CALLED UP (Evening Post, 03 September 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Oct 1917
FIRST DIVISION (Evening Post, 02 October 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Oct 1917
NEW ZEALAND ARMY (Evening Post, 20 October 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1917
NEWZEALAND CASUALTIES (Evening Post, 27 October 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 May 1918
ROLL OF HONOUR (Evening Post, 06 May 1918) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1918
DEATHS. (Evening Post, 20 November 1918) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1920s
25 May 1921
Page 16 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 25 May 1921) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1921
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 05 September 1921) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1921
Page 16 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 27 October 1921) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1922
Page 13 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 25 February 1922) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1922
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 03 June 1922) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1922
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 16 September 1922) Evening Post · 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
29 Jul 1925
Page 8 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 29 July 1925) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1926
A List Of Anglican Homes, Societies, & C. (Waiapu Church Gazette, 01 July 1926) Waiapu Church Gazette · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1927
WOMEN IN PRINT. (Evening Post, 05 February 1927) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Apr 1927
Page 6 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 23 April 1927) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1929
WOMEN IN PRINT (Evening Post, 11 October 1929) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1930s
30 Sept 1930
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 30 September 1930) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1931
ART UNION PRIZES (Evening Post, 24 April 1931) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1931
PERSONAL NOTES (Evening Post, 21 August 1931) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1931
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 05 December 1931) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1932
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 05 November 1932) 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.

“"Smith Street"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch