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 hair”, the shelf

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

826 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
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 September 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1883
NOTES BY PASQUIN, (Otago Witness, 06 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1884
SPORTING (Otago Daily Times, 12 January 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 15 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 18 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 30 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 06 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1884
NEW ZEALAND MANUFACTURES AND PRODUCE. (Auckland Star, 10 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 31 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Dec 1885
published daily.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1885, THE RIVALS. (Wanganui Herald, 21 December 1885) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1886
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 26 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1887
Local & General. (Star, 29 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1887
Hawke's Bay Herald. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26; 1887. AN EXTRAORDINARY STRIKE. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 26 October 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
18 Feb 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 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
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
5 Jan 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 January 1889) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1889
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1889. (West Coast Times, 27 April 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
27 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
12 May 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1890) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 03 February 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 02 May 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1892
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jun 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 June 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jun 1892
Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 21 June 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1893
DEATHS. (Auckland Star, 23 February 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 02 March 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1893
Local & General. (Star, 26 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 09 May 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 May 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 27 June 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1893
Local & General. (Star, 03 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 05 July 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 06 July 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1893
Page 7 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 11 July 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1894
Page 7 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1894
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jul 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 July 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1894
THE THE Social Sphere (Observer, 28 July 1894) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1894
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 September 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1895
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 20 February 1895) Timaru Herald · 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
1 Sept 1896
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 September 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1896
ATHLETIC NOTES. (Auckland Star, 31 October 1896) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 November 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1897
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 24 February 1897) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Mar 1897
Local and General. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 March 1897) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1897
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 August 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Observer, 02 October 1897) Observer · 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.

“City hair”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch