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.

“"Spreydon"”, the shelf

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

1,231 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 1880s
18 Dec 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 18 December 1884) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1884
FIRES AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Marlborough Express, 18 December 1884) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1884
Drainage Board. (Star, 29 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1885
Sydenham Borough Council. (Star, 13 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 27 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 02 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1885
School of Art Examinations (Star, 07 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1886
Fire in the River-bed, Prebbleton. (Star, 07 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1886
Pupil Teachers' Examination. (Star, 15 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 22 May 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
Pupil Teachers' Examination. (Star, 21 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1887
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1887. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 March 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1887
Saturday's Football. (Star, 06 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1887
Christchurch District Drainage Board. (Star, 08 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 11 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 13 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1887
Sydenham Borough Council. (Star, 14 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 14 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 22 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 24 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 July 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1887
FOOTBALL. (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
Road Boards. (Star, 12 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1887
FOOTBALL. (Star, 18 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Aug 1887
ELECTION NEWS. (Star, 30 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 19 November 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 23 November 1887) Otago Daily Times · 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
21 Dec 1887
Local & General. (Star, 21 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1888
ROAD BOARDS. (Star, 22 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1888
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 01 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1888
Football Fixtures. (Star, 02 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1888
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 29 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1889
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 25 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 May 1889
FOOTBALL. (Star, 16 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (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
28 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Daily Times, 28 January 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jun 1890
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 20 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1891
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINIATION. (Star, 15 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1891
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 05 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1891
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 10 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1891
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 28 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1891
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 20 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1891
THE CHRISTCHURCH SHOW. SHOWS. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1891) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1892
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 June 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1892
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1892
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 25 November 1892) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 March 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1893
ELECTORAL. (Star, 31 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1893
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 01 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1893
Local & General (Star, 24 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1893
Local & General. (Star, 11 November 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1893
Local & General. (Star, 05 December 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Dec 1893
Local & General. (Star, 16 December 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1894
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 19 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1894
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 18 September 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1894
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 October 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1895
PUPIL-TEACHERS' EXAMINATIONS. (Star, 24 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1895
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1895
DIOCESAN STANDING COMMITTEE. (Star, 01 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1895
ROAD BOARDS. (Star, 18 April 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1895
Canterbury Christian Endeavour Union. (Star, 02 November 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
7 Dec 1895
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 07 December 1895) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1896
PUPIL TEACHER EXAMINATIONS. (Star, 29 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1896
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 04 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1896
CHRISTCHURCH SUBSCRIPTIONS. (Star, 15 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Jul 1896
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 10 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1896
HERRICK'S HOME. (Star, 17 July 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1896
REGULATION OE DAIRIES. (Star, 03 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1896
ROAD BOARDS. (Star, 10 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1896
MARRIAGE. (Star, 23 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1896
CANTERBURY CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR UNION. (Star, 24 October 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1896
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 28 October 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Dec 1896
Untitled (Star, 01 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1896
ELECTORAL. (Star, 03 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jan 1897
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 13 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1897
EDUCATION BOARD. (Star, 13 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1897
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATIONS. (Star, 27 January 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Apr 1897
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 07 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jun 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1897
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 13 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1897
SOUTH ISLAND TROTTING ASSOCIATION. (Star, 17 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1898
JUNIOR SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION. (Star, 18 January 1898) Star · 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.

“"Spreydon"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch