How many records does the archive hold?

66,408 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.

“French Farm Estate”, the shelf

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

177 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 1850s
14 Feb 1855
Page 7 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 14 February 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
28 Feb 1855
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 28 February 1855) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 26 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 March 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1859
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 02 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
18 May 1861
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 18 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1861
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 13 November 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1862
GEOLOGY OF OTAGO. (Otago Daily Times, 31 January 1862) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
1 Feb 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 01 February 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1862
LIST OF CLAMANTS TO BE PLACED ON THE ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE DISTRICT OF CHEVIOT. (Lyttelton Times, 19 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 11 places
30 Apr 1862
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1862
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 21 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1865
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] ANOTHER FIRE IN THE OCTAGON. (Otago Witness, 18 March 1865) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
8 Mar 1871
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Bruce Herald, 08 March 1871) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1879
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 January 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
14 Jan 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 14 January 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1881
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 October 1881) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 26 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1884
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 February 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1884
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 December 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1885
Local & General. (Star, 16 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1886
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAT, JULY 13, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Aug 1886
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 20 August 1886) Evening Post · 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
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 February 1888) 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
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
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
5 May 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 May 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 July 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Mar 1892
Evenig Post. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1892. HUMILITY IN HOUSE BUILDING. (Evening Post, 05 March 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Apr 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 April 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1893
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 May 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 October 1894) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894. 1894. (Evening Post, 31 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jul 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1897
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 24 February 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 09 December 1897) Auckland Star · 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
30 Apr 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 30 April 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 17 June 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Dec 1899
CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. (Otago Witness, 28 December 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1900s
24 Feb 1900
By Crackshot.] RACING FIXTURES. THE TURF. (Evening Post, 24 February 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
5 Apr 1900
THE CONTINGENTS. (Otago Witness, 05 April 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Apr 1900
THE ROLL CALL. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1900
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1900
Untitled (Otago Witness, 05 December 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 28 February 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 March 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 June 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1902
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS'. (Otago Witness, 08 January 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1902
COSY CORNER CLUB. FOURTH SESSION, SECOND MEETING (Otago Witness, 09 July 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawera & Normanby Star, 13 December 1902) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1902
Untitled (Southland Times, 22 December 1902) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1903
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 January 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1904
NOTES AMD QUERIES. The Otago Witness, THE WEEK. SOUTHLAND NEWS NOTES. SHOOTING AT A CHINAMAN SPORTING. TALK OF THE DAY. IN A NUTSHELL CANTERBURY DOINGS. WELLINGTON NOTES. AUCKLAND TOPICS. SPORTING NOTES FROM AUSTRALIA. (Otago Witness, 23 March 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 May 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 May 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 July 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1904
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1905
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 28, 1905 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 July 1905) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 September 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
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
15 Feb 1906
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Feb 1906
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1906
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 April 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1907
OLLA PODRIDA. (Taranaki Herald, 06 June 1907) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1907
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 September 1907) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Sept 1907
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 September 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Oct 1907
The Akaroa Mail TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1907. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 October 1907) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 October 1907) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 December 1907) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 December 1907) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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.

“French Farm Estate”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch