How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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 Coffee Club”, the shelf

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

286 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
25 May 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 25 May 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1859
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 31 August 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Sept 1859
Page 6 Advertisements Column 3 (Lyttelton Times, 07 September 1859) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
10 Oct 1860
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 10 October 1860) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1862
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 May 1862) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1870s
2 Jun 1870
MEMORANDA OF TRIE MONIR. (Wellington Independent, 02 June 1870) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 May 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 16 May 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1871
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 30 December 1871) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1872
NEW ZEALAND.-GENERAL NEWS. (Colonist, 16 February 1872) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1872
News of the Week, (Otago Witness, 07 December 1872) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1873
Local and General. (Star, 18 April 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Apr 1873
Local and General. (Star, 25 April 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 07 November 1874) Otago Witness · 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
3 Oct 1876
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 October 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Daily Times, 12 May 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1878
Evening Post FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1878. (Evening Post, 11 January 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1878
LATEST CABLE TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 18 July 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
27 Feb 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Jun 1880
CITY COUNCIL. (Auckland Star, 10 June 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1881
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1881. (Otago Daily Times, 14 January 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1881
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 27 May 1881) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
29 Apr 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 18S2. (Otago Daily Times, 29 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · 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
2 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1883
Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1883. THE SPEECH. (Wanganui Herald, 15 June 1883) Wanganui Herald · 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
4 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
30 Apr 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 30 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1885
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
23 Mar 1887
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 23 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1887
The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 18 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 May 1887
MONDAY, MAY 23, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 23 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1887
AUSTRALIA." (Evening Post, 24 November 1887) Evening Post · 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
26 Dec 1888
Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1888. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." GOOD ADVICE. Local and General Intelligence. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1888) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1889
Local & General. (Star, 28 June 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Nov 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
Local & General. (Star, 27 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
14 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 26 May 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1890
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 19 September 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1890
FERGUSON'S PATENT PIPE. (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1892
Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 21 June 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 07 July 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 18 October 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 14 November 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 02 March 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1893
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 03 June 1893) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jul 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 25 July 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 31 August 1893) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 15 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
14 Dec 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 14 December 1893) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1894
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1894. (Otago Daily Times, 13 February 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1894
West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1894. (West Coast Times, 23 February 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1894
Local & General. (Star, 11 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1894
Untitled (Auckland Star, 11 May 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1894
Local & General. (Star, 18 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Dec 1894
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS INTERPROVINCIAL. (West Coast Times, 18 December 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1895
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 March 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1896
TO-MORROW'S CHURCH SERVICES. (Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1896
The Marlborugh Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1896. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 May 1896) Marlborough Express · 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
5 Apr 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jul 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 03 November 1897) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 January 1898) 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
6 Apr 1898
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 06 April 1898) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1899
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1890. (Otago Daily Times, 15 April 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1899
UPPER HOUSE REFORIM. (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 August 1899) Poverty Bay Herald · 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
22 Feb 1900
OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND CONTINGENT. (Otago Witness, 22 February 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1900
HORSES ALLOTTED AND EQUIPMENT SERVED OUT. (Otago Witness, 15 March 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1900
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 June 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1900
TO-MORROW'S CHURCH SERVICES. (Otago Daily Times, 25 August 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jun 1901
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBOBNE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6, 1901. (Poverty Bay Herald, 05 June 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 August 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1901
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 October 1901) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1902
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 20 March 1902) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Nov 1903
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 10 November 1903) Evening Post · 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 Coffee Club”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch