How many records does the archive hold?

61,639 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.

“Storm”, the shelf

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

434 records matching 99 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 May 1881
AUSTRALIAN CABLE. (Timaru Herald, 17 May 1881) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1881
AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Wanganui Herald, 18 May 1881) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 26 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1881
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 October 1881) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1881
THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1881
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 13 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 24 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1882
The Timaru Herald. (Timaru Herald, 18 January 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1882
Untitled (Southland Times, 19 January 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
14 Apr 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1882. (Star, 14 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
News Of The Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1883
THEATRICAL. (Otago Witness, 28 April 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
HEAVY STORM IN CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 07 September 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Grey River Argus, 16 October 1883) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1883
Untitled (Auckland Star, 19 October 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 20 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 30 October 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Nov 1883
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,1883. (Timaru Herald, 06 November 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Dec 1883
ACCIDENTS AND INQUESTS. (Auckland Star, 08 December 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1884
Board of Health. (Star, 30 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
14 Aug 1884
Local & General. (Star, 14 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1884
REGULAR IMS. (Evening Post, 29 September 1884) Evening Post · 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
14 Jan 1885
Local & General. (Star, 14 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Feb 1885
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 17 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
Untitled (Auckland Star, 19 March 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1885
Storm Water sewers. Colombo and Montreal Streets. Sydenham Christchurch Drainage Board, plans, maps and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
10 Jun 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 10 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1885
FORMER EXHIBITIONS. THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION OF 1865. (Evening Post, 03 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
27 Aug 1885
Road Boards. (Star, 27 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Apr 1886
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 28 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1886
The Northern Line. (Star, 15 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jun 1886
MUNICIPAL. (Star, 01 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 27 August 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
9 Mar 1887
Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1887. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 March 1887) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1887
The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Mar 1887
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 23 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1887
Sydenham Borough Council. (Star, 19 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1887
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 01 September 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 November 1887) Star · 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
7 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1888
THE HUTT RAILWAY. (Evening Post, 02 April 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
FOOTBALL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1888
Local & General. (Star, 18 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Nov 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 14 November 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Feb 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 26 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1889. (West Coast Times, 10 September 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Apr 1890
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1890
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1890. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · 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
6 Mar 1891
The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 06 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 01 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 29 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jul 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1891
Untitled (Star, 23 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1891
Local & General. (Star, 28 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 16 February 1892) Star · 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
23 Nov 1892
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1892. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Nov 1892
LONDON. (Tuapeka Times, 23 November 1892) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 18 May 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1893
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS (West Coast Times, 13 December 1893) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1894
Evening Post. FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1894. (Evening Post, 26 January 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1894
Local & General. (Star, 24 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1894
THE NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIATION. (Otago Witness, 08 March 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
19 Jun 1894
NEW BRIGHTON JOTTINGS. (Star, 19 June 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894. 1894. (Evening Post, 31 December 1894) Evening Post · 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.

“Storm”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch