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.

“Number One Shoes”, the shelf

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

266 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
17 Jan 1852
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 17 January 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1852
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 24 January 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1852
Page 9 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 14 August 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1852
Page 12 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 20 November 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Lyttelton Times, 22 January 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
13 Mar 1861
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 13 March 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1861
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1861) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Feb 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1864
THE Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 07 November 1864) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Nov 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1864
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 24 December 1864) Otago Witness · 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
1 May 1867
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 01 May 1867) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1867
HAWKE'S BAY PROVINCE. (Daily Southern Cross, 29 May 1867) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1867
THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 02 August 1867) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
4 Aug 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 04 August 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1872
Local and General. (Star, 11 March 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 13 August 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1874
YESTERDAY. Loal and General. (Star, 14 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1875
Untitled (Evening Post, 09 September 1875) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1876
A SINGULAR CASE. (Marlborough Express, 20 September 1876) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1877
Untitled (Colonist, 24 March 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1877
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS (Colonist, 07 April 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1877
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News," "The Morning News," and "The Echo." FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1877. (Auckland Star, 06 July 1877) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1877
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 November 1877) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1877
Untitled (Auckland Star, 03 December 1877) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1879
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 22 December 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
17 Mar 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 17 March 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1880
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1880
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 10 April 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1880
Untitled (Southland Times, 21 April 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1880
MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 09 October 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1880
FRIENDLY SOCIETIES'FERE. (Star, 28 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1881
DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1882
OPENING OP THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 24 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
News Of The Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Nov 1884
NEW ZEALAND MANUFACTURES AND PRODUCE. (Auckland Star, 10 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1884
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 05 December 1884) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION'S LAND PURCHASES. (Evening Post, 19 March 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1885
FORMER EXHIBITIONS. THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION OF 1865. (Evening Post, 03 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Aug 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 10 October 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1887
Untitled (Southland Times, 20 January 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1887
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Otago Witness, 02 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · 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
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1889
The Social World. (Observer, 29 June 1889) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1889
THE LONDON STRIKE. (Poverty Bay Herald, 31 August 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
7 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 07 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 29 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 19 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 25 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1891
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 20 February 1891) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1892
Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1992. (Evening Post, 09 April 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 May 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1892
BY MAZEPPA. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Marlborough Express, 04 August 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 08 August 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1892
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 03 December 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1893
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1893
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1893. (Evening Post, 29 December 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1894
Evening Post. FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1894. (Evening Post, 26 January 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1894
MRS HUMPHRY WARD'S "MARCELLA." (Otago Witness, 13 September 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1894
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1891 THE MARINE REGULATIONS OF STEAMSHIP COMPANIES. (Evening Post, 08 November 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1894
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 December 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1894
RAILWAY RETURNS. (Evening Post, 14 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 December 1894) Star · 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
22 Jan 1895
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Dec 1895
OTAGO A: AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1896
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 08 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 May 1897
TOWN EDITION. The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, MAY 13, 1897. DAIRY INDUSTRY. (Mataura Ensign, 13 May 1897) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 09 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 August 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places

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.

“Number One Shoes”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch