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.

“"Waltham"”, the shelf

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

906 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 1870s
25 Sept 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 September 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 12 October 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 December 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 January 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
13 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (West Coast Times, 30 June 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 16 August 1879) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 August 1879) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 21 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (West Coast Times, 02 December 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (West Coast Times, 04 December 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 09 December 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (West Coast Times, 09 December 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
24 Apr 1880
THE SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 24 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1880
Page 13 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 03 September 1880) New Zealand Tablet · 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
15 Sept 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 15 September 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 22 September 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 23 September 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (West Coast Times, 24 September 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (North Otago Times, 05 January 1881) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1881
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 19 January 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 09 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 14 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 15 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 16 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 18 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 19 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 21 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 22 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 23 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (West Coast Times, 24 February 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 25 June 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 06 October 1881) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1882
NOTABILIA! (Observer, 08 April 1882) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 26 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 02 February 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 16 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Wanganui Herald, 29 March 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 09 June 1883) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 22 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. November 8. (North Otago Times, 09 November 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 January 1884) 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
31 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 November 1884) 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.

“"Waltham"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch