How many records does the archive hold?

62,792 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.

“On Cafe”, the shelf

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

666 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 1860s
11 Jul 1860
RETURNED LETTERS. (Lyttelton Times, 11 July 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1864
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
18 Oct 1871
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 October 1871) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1872
EVENTS OF THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 09 March 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1872
NEWS OF THE DAY (Colonist, 12 March 1872) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1873
Wellington Independent TUESDAY, 10th JUNE. (Wellington Independent, 10 June 1873) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 09 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1877
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 06 October 1877) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1878
Page 9 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 01 January 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1878
West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1878. (West Coast Times, 08 March 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 25 June 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 26 June 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Dec 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
24 Feb 1880
Untitled (West Coast Times, 24 February 1880) West Coast 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
9 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 09 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 18 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1883
RAMBLES ROUND THE WORLD.—VIII. (Auckland Star, 14 April 1883) Auckland Star · 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
13 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 18 October 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1884
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 October 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1886
D.J.O. AUTUMN MEETING. CUP DAY. WINNERS OF CHAMPAGNE STAKES. PEDIGREEE OP THE WINNER. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1887
Christchurch. (Star, 20 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
16 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 January 1888) Star · 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
25 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
26 Jul 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · 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
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
23 Jun 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 June 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1891
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 28 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ellesmere Guardian, 15 August 1891) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1893
FIRE. (Star, 17 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1894
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 June 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1894
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 July 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
25 Jan 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Jun 1895
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1896
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 May 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1896
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 March 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jun 1897
THE ILLUMINATIONS. (Star, 23 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jan 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1898
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 May 1898) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Aug 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 August 1899) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 November 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Daily Telegraph, 16 December 1899) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
15 Feb 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 February 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 July 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 July 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 July 1900) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times 29-10-1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1900
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 November 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1901
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 26 January 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 04 January 1902) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 08 January 1903) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1903
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Herald, 19 August 1903) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 October 1903) 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
1 Jun 1904
THE KENNEL (Otago Witness, 01 June 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1904
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times 9-3-1904) Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Oct 1904
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 11 October 1904) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1904
OTAGO LAND BOARD. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1904
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, DEC. 3, 1904. (Poverty Bay Herald, 03 December 1904) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jun 1905
CHRISTCHURCH TRAMWAYS. (Wanganui Chronicle, 07 June 1905) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1905
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 14 June 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1905
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 06 September 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1905
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 08 November 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1905
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 December 1905) 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.

“On Cafe”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch