How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“City Firewood”, the shelf

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

338 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
16 Aug 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1882. (Star, 10 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1882
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 29 March 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 October 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 09 October 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 12 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 June 1884) 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
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 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
27 Dec 1884
AMALGAMATED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE. (Star, 27 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1885
The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1885. (Timaru Herald, 12 February 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 26 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 21 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1887
West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1887. (West Coast Times, 17 October 1887) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
3 Jul 1888
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 03 July 1888) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1888
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 07 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1889
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 23 September 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
the 1890s
22 Mar 1890
THE COLLEGE AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 22 March 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Apr 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 01 August 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1893
Evening Post. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1893. THE REPRESENTATION OF MASTERTON. (Evening Post, 14 February 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 12 April 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1894
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 16 October 1894) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 March 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1896
O-RUA-PAEROA. (Star, 27 April 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1898
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 16 March 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1898
Methodism in Otago and Southland (Otago Witness, 17 March 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Sept 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 10 September 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1898
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 26 November 1898) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 May 1899
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 06 May 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1899
THE TOLL OF THE SEA, (Otago Witness, 30 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
16 Dec 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Daily Telegraph, 16 December 1899) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1899
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Daily Telegraph, 18 December 1899) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
9 Jan 1900
Page 12 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times 1-9-1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 13 February 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jun 1900
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 June 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1900
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times 21-6-1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 25 August 1900) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1901
The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, JANUARY 18, 1901. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 January 1901) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1901
BOROUGH COUNCILS. (Star, 12 November 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1902
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 April 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Poverty Bay Herald, 21 May 1902) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Dec 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 December 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 January 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Apr 1903
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 April 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1903
THE SUTER ART SOCIETY. (Colonist, 25 May 1903) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1903
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 June 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jun 1903
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 June 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jul 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 July 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 August 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
29 Sept 1903
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times 29-9-1903) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 October 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1903
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 November 1903) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 January 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1904
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 February 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1904
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 March 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1904
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 01 June 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1904
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 July 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1904
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1904) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1904
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 December 1904) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 January 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1905
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1905
Page 8 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 February 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1905
Page 6 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1905
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 April 1905) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1905
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Herald, 07 December 1905) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1906
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 02 June 1906) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1906
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 October 1906) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1907
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 January 1907) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“City Firewood”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch