How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“Window Art”, the shelf

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

267 records matching 98 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 Jan 1864
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1864) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Aug 1867
News of the Week. [FROM THE DAILY TIMES.] (Otago Witness, 09 August 1867) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1870s
4 Aug 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 04 August 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1873
THE Daily Southern Cross. (Daily Southern Cross, 18 February 1873) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1873
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 03 May 1873) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 22 November 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1874
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC. XXIII. GENTE HERMOSA (Continued). (Daily Southern Cross, 14 September 1874) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1874
OPENING OF THE TIMARU PUBLIC SCHOOL. (Star, 09 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 December 1874) Otago Witness · 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
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1877
Untitled (Colonist, 24 March 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 18. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 June 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1878
LOCAL AMD GENERAL. (Star, 17 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1878
PROPOSED NEW HOTEL AT SUMNER. (Star, 02 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
1 Jan 1880
High Street, Christchurch by Burton Brothers · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · no. 17861 · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1 Jan 1880
High Street, Christchurch by Burton Brothers · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · no. 17913 · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
22 Oct 1880
THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. (Star, 22 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1881
DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Jun 1881
Dunedin Industrial Exhibition. (Otago Witness, 25 June 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
24 Feb 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1882. (Star, 24 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
13 May 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 13 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · 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
14 Apr 1883
RAMBLES ROUND THE WORLD.—VIII. (Auckland Star, 14 April 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1883
Untitled (Auckland Star, 19 October 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1883
The Timaru Herald MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 05 November 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland 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
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
31 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 31 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
1 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1886
THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 28 July 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · 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
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
18 Feb 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 18 February 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
11 Aug 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 December 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1889. (West Coast Times, 10 September 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
20 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 07 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1890
SABBATH OBSERVANCE. (Auckland Star, 07 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1892
Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1992. (Evening Post, 09 April 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1892
The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1892. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 November 1892) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 25 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 Jul 1893
Local & GeneraL (Star, 18 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 08 November 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1894
Local is General. (Star, 02 February 1894) Star · 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 Apr 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 September 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1895
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 27 January 1897) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1897
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 17 April 1897) Timaru Herald · 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
28 Jul 1897
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 16 October 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
20 Nov 1897
Page 5 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 November 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1898
Local and General. (Ashburton Guardian, 04 June 1898) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 18 February 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1899
Page 5 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 February 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1899
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 13 May 1899) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1899
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 10 June 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
24 Jan 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 24 January 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1900
LETTERS FROM LITTIE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 14 June 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1900
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 18 June 1900) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 September 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1900
Untitled (Otago Witness, 05 December 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Feb 1901
SACRED HEART BASILICA, WELLINGTON. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 February 1901) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1901
THE NEW CATHEDRAL, CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 February 1901) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Mar 1901
Local and General. (Ashburton Guardian, 16 March 1901) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1901
Ashburton Guardian Magna est veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1901. (Ashburton Guardian, 21 March 1901) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1901
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 27 March 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1901
THE NELSON CELEBRATIONS. (Colonist, 29 June 1901) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 14 August 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 September 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1902
COSY CORNER CLUB. FOURTH SESSION, SECOND MEETING (Otago Witness, 09 July 1902) Otago Witness · 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

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.

“Window Art”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch