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 Groom Room”, the shelf

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

183 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
28 Nov 1857
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 28 November 1857) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
23 Oct 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 23 October 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
16 Feb 1872
NEW ZEALAND.-GENERAL NEWS. (Colonist, 16 February 1872) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1872
West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1872. (West Coast Times, 24 April 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1872
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 October 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1874) 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
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1875
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 29 December 1875) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1876
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1876) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Apr 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 16 April 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1877
CORRESPONDENCE. (Colonist, 13 November 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 June 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Aug 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
2 Feb 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 02 February 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
16 Mar 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 16 March 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 06 April 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 15 April 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 09 October 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 January 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1884) Star · 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
22 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1889
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Bush Advocate, 24 December 1889) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Mar 1890
MAGISTERIAL. (Timaru Herald, 01 March 1890) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 25 July 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 17 December 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 March 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 August 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 October 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1899
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 02 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1899
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 November 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
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
25 Jun 1900
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 June 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Manawatu Standard, 30 November 1900) Manawatu Standard · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1900
Page 5 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 January 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 July 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 July 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1901
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 July 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Aug 1901
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 August 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1901
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 September 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jan 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 March 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1902
THE NOMINAL ROLL. (Otago Witness, 19 March 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Jun 1902
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1903
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 January 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 January 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 January 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 May 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1904
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
14 Apr 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 April 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 16 August 1904) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1904
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Herald, 17 October 1904) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Evening Post, 11 November 1904) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
8 Mar 1905
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY. MAR. 8. 1905. (Poverty Bay Herald, 08 March 1905) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 March 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1905
THE AMBERLEY BURGLARY. (Star, 28 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 June 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1905
TABLE TALK. (Otago Witness, 28 June 1905) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jul 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 July 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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 Groom Room”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch