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.

“Ma Baker”, the shelf

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

235 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
23 Jul 1853
ELECTORAL ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF CHRISTCHURCH. July 11, 1853. (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
26 Jan 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 26 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 29 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1859
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 April 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1859
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 15 October 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
17 Mar 1860
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 17 March 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1860
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 21 April 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 9 places
13 Oct 1860
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 13 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 02 February 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 30 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 08 May 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1861
BIRTHS. (Lyttelton Times, 10 July 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 26 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 04 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1861
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1866
LONDON. (Otago Daily Times, 19 October 1866) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
the 1870s
4 Aug 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 04 August 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 December 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 07 August 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Oct 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 October 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1879
Land and Water. (Otago Witness, 01 March 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1879
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION. (Evening Post, 07 March 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1879
MEETING OF CREDITORS. MR. R. J. DUNCAN. (Evening Post, 05 April 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1879
Grand Opening Ceremonial. (Auckland Star, 17 September 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
29 Jul 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1881
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 19 January 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1881
THE MOUNT VIEW ASYLUM. (Evening Post, 16 February 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 17 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1883
PUPIL TEACHES' EXAMINATION. (Star, 16 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1883
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ITEMS. (Auckland Star, 08 December 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Feb 1885
The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1885. (Timaru Herald, 12 February 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 02 July 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 06 July 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 08 July 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 16 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 08 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
5 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 05 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1890
The New Parliament. (Auckland Star, 08 December 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1891
SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS. (Auckland Star, 24 January 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1891
STATION ACCOMMODATION. (Evening Post, 09 July 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 09 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 06 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Mar 1893
THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS. (Otago Witness, 09 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1893
THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1893
THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY. (Otago Witness, 13 April 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1894
CONSECRATION OF BISHOP WILSON. (Auckland Star, 14 June 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1894
GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING. (Evening Post, 11 August 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Aug 1894
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. FRIDAY, AUGUST 17, 1894. (Auckland Star, 17 August 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1898
NOTES BY SLIP. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 November 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
4 Jan 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1900
Page 36 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 18 January 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1900
THE FOURTH CONTINGENT (Otago Witness, 01 March 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 May 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 06 July 1900) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 September 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1900
THE JNORTH CANTERBURY PRIMARY SCHOOLS. (Star, 29 November 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1900
THE CHURCHES. (Star, 15 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 30 March 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1901
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 April 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 26 April 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1901
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 24 July 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1902
COLONIAL REINFORCEMENTS. (Star, 06 February 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Sept 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1903
SPORT AND PASTIME. (Evening Post, 14 March 1903) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1903
Untitled (Auckland Star, 25 September 1903) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 January 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 July 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1904
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1906
CONTINUED LIBERAL SUCCESSES. (Evening Post, 19 January 1906) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 February 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Feb 1906
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 February 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.

“Ma Baker”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch