How many records does the archive hold?

60,434 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 Milk Bar”, the shelf

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

274 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
13 Mar 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (Lyttelton Times, 13 March 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1852
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, 03 April 1852) New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Dec 1852
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 11 December 1852) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 1 (Lyttelton Times, 23 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1853
Page 11 Advertisements Column 2 (Lyttelton Times, 30 July 1853) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1860s
5 Jan 1861
The Lyttelton Times. (Lyttelton Times, 05 January 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 11 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 14 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 18 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1861
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Lyttelton Times, 21 September 1861) Lyttelton Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1866
PORT OF AUCKLAND. MISCELLANEOUS. (Daily Southern Cross, 26 December 1866) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
17 Feb 1870
Local and General. (Star, 17 February 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
4 May 1872
EVENTS OF THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 04 May 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1873
BOARD OF HEALTH. (Star, 25 March 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1873
Local and General. (Star, 25 April 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 November 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1880s
2 Dec 1881
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 May 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 30 May 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · 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
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Aug 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 15 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 September 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
11 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
2 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1885
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW. (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 June 1886) 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
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1887
OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 02 December 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 December 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
14 Mar 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jun 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 June 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
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
11 Jan 1889
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
5 Dec 1889
THE OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
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
12 Sept 1892
THE REPLACEMENT OF WORN COIN. (Evening Post, 12 September 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1893
A FLAT CONTRADICTION. (Evening Post, 24 April 1893) Evening Post · 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
16 Feb 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 February 1894) Star · 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
3 Aug 1895
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 03 August 1895) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
11 Feb 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
28 Jun 1898
THE VOYAGE OF THE FRAM. (Wanganui Herald, 28 June 1898) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1898
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 October 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1899
NEWS & NOTES. (Marlborough Express, 28 April 1899) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1899
Manawatu Herald. THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1899. (Manawatu Herald, 22 June 1899) Manawatu Herald · 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
24 Nov 1899
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times, 24 November 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1899
SHOWS. OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 December 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 30 December 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
12 Jun 1900
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 June 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1900
OLD WRITERS' WEEK. (Otago Witness, 10 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 31 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1901
Untitled (Taranaki Herald, 18 March 1901) Taranaki Herald · 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
15 Oct 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 October 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1901
CANTERBURY METROPOLITAN SHOW. OPENING DAY. (Otago Witness, 13 November 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1901
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times 28-1-1902) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1902
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 28 May 1902) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawera & Normanby Star, 13 December 1902) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1903
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 25 February 1903) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1903
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. Motto:—We write.for the benefit of others, not for ourselves. (Otago Witness, 18 March 1903) Otago Witness · 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 Milk Bar”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch