How many records does the archive hold?

78,375 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.

“Flowers in the City”, the shelf

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

1,189 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
17 Jun 1881
DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 24 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Dec 1881
passing Notes. (Otago Witness, 31 December 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1882
Untitled (Evening Post, 16 January 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 23 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1882
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 27 January 1882) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1882. (Star, 24 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1882
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1882) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1882
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 15 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1882
OPENING OP THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 May 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 13 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1882
The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1882. (Star, 13 September 1882) Star · 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
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1882
Local & General. (Star, 24 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 29 December 1882) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1883
Evening Post. FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1883. (Evening Post, 27 April 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1883
SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Evening Post, 07 May 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Sept 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1883
THE DUST NUISANCE. (Evening Post, 08 November 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 27 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 December 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
4 Jan 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 04 January 1884) New Zealand Tablet · 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
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1884
CATHOLIC CEREMONIES AT WELLINGTON. (New Zealand Tablet, 21 March 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Mar 1884
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 26 March 1884) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1884
Local & General (Star, 23 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1884
THE CHRISTCHURCH DOMAIN AND GARDENS. (Timaru Herald, 09 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1884
THE Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1884. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 01 November 1884) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1884
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 24 January 1885) Auckland 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
14 Mar 1885
SPORTING HEWS. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1885
ALL NATIONS BAZAAR, CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 08 May 1885) New Zealand Tablet · 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
11 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 27 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 28 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
24 Nov 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
10 Sept 1886
Page 20 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 10 September 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
LEAVES FROM LETTERS BY W. A. MURRAY. (Clutha Leader, 24 September 1886) Clutha Leader · 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
19 Feb 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 19 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1887
Local & General. (Star, 25 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1888
THE DAILY OTAGO TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 12 January 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 12 March 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1888
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 05 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 12 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Nov 1888
THE SUTHERLAND WATERFALL THE SUTHERLAND WATER (Otago Witness, 02 November 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 14 November 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 28 November 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 01 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1888
Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1888. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." GOOD ADVICE. Local and General Intelligence. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1888) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 August 1889) 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
27 Sept 1889
A RAILWAY TIMBER GEIEVANCE. (Evening Post, 27 September 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 19 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1890
NOTES ON A CHRISTCHURCH TRIP. (Otago Witness, 15 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1890
Latest locals. (Star, 16 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1890
ST. MARY'S, MANCHESTER STREET, CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 19 September 1890) New Zealand Tablet · 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.

“Flowers in the City”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch