How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“"Opawa"”, the shelf

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

1,864 records matching 97 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 1870s
2 Sept 1876
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 02 September 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1876
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 04 September 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1876
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 05 September 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1876
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 15 September 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1876
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 21 September 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1877
Woolston RS 32, 20, 37, 89 and 96 Heathcote Road Board rural sections · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1877
Opawa RS 157 Heathcote Road Board rural sections · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
22 Jan 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 22 January 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 23 January 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 24 January 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 25 January 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1877
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 27 January 1877) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 30 January 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 02 February 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 03 February 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 20 February 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 21 February 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 26 February 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 27 February 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 01 March 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 03 March 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 13 March 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 14 March 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 March 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1877
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 31 March 1877) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1877
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 18 April 1877) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 21 April 1877) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 November 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 01 March 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1878
CABLE TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 03 April 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1878
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1878. (Marlborough Express, 13 April 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 08 May 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 14 May 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 15 July 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 17 July 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 12 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 20 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 28 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1878
Page 5 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 12 November 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1878
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 31 December 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 15 January 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 16 January 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 24 January 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1879
EXTENSION OF GAS MAINS. (Star, 14 May 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
16 Jul 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1879
PUBLIC WORKS APPROPRIATION. (Star, 12 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
1 Jan 1880
Design for bridge at Opawa for the Heathcote Road Board Christchurch bridges: plans and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
19 Jan 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 January 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 January 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 02 February 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
DEATH. The Star. TUESDAY, APRIL 6, 1880. (Star, 06 April 1880) Star · 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
10 Apr 1880
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 10 April 1880) Otago Witness · 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
24 Apr 1880
ROAD BOARDS. (Star, 24 April 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 05 August 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 30 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Taranaki Herald, 24 September 1880) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 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
3 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 18 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Daily Telegraph, 24 February 1881) Daily Telegraph · 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.

“"Opawa"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch