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.

“The Bach”, the shelf

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

270 records matching 99 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
30 Oct 1867
The Evening Post. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1867. (Evening Post, 30 October 1867) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
10 Apr 1871
Untitled (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1871) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 01 May 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
24 Jan 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1883
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 08 September 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Oct 1883
NOTES BY PASQUIN, (Otago Witness, 06 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1886
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
9 Aug 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 09 August 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
21 Mar 1888
THE RAILWAY RETURNS. (Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jul 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL. (Evening Post, 12 April 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
13 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
the 1890s
22 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1890
ALICE'S LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 16 October 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Ellesmere Guardian, 12 September 1891) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Ellesmere Guardian, 19 September 1891) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 13 places
18 Feb 1892
BOWLING TOURNAMENT. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 18 places
23 Nov 1892
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1892. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Jan 1893
THE LABOUR MARKET. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 25 January 1893) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 09 February 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
7 Oct 1893
Local & General. (Star, 07 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Oct 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 19 October 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Nov 1893
ELECTION NOTES. (Otago Daily Times, 22 November 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Dec 1894
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 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
26 Jan 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 26 January 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
22 Apr 1895
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 17 January 1896) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
9 Apr 1896
PROHIBITION CONVENTION. (Otago Witness, 09 April 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
15 Sept 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 September 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1897
N.Z. PARLIAMENT, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7. (Otago Witness, 16 December 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 places
15 Jan 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 January 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Evening Post, 29 August 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 April 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1899
PARLIAMENTARY. (Timaru Herald, 30 September 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1900s
1 Jan 1900
Diamond Harbour 2014 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
29 Jun 1901
THE NELSON CELEBRATIONS. (Colonist, 29 June 1901) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1902
Untitled (Southland Times, 28 January 1902) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Mar 1903
ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 March 1903) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1903
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 06 May 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Nov 1903
DOT'S LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 25 November 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1903
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Taranaki Daily News 28-11-1903) Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Sept 1904
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 September 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 October 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Nov 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 November 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 December 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1906
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 17 January 1906) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1907
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 March 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1907
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 September 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1908
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 February 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1908
Page 7 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 April 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 May 1908
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 May 1908) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1908
Untitled (Otago Witness, 06 May 1908) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Nov 1908
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (Observer, 21 November 1908) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1909
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (Observer, 02 January 1909) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1909
Page 7 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 March 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1909
THE TRAMWAYS. (Star, 23 June 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 July 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Aug 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 August 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1909
THE ART OF MUSIC. (Taranaki Herald, 17 August 1909) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 September 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 October 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 October 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1909
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 October 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1909
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 November 1909) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1910s
20 Sept 1913
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 23 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 25 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1913
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 27 September 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 01 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 02 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1913
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 04 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 14 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1913
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 15 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1913
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 18 October 1913) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1914
LOCAL & GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 08 October 1914) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1914
NEW BRIGHTON BACHES (NZ Truth, 10 October 1914) NZ Truth · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1917
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 02 February 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1917
WOMEN IN PRNINT. (Evening Post, 05 March 1917) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1917
Called Up. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 October 1917) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1918
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 08 February 1918) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Nov 1918
N.Z. CASUALTIES. (Ashburton Guardian, 07 November 1918) Ashburton Guardian · 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.

“The Bach”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch