How many records does the archive hold?

60,434 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.

“Taking Shape”, the shelf

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

268 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
12 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 12 February 1884) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 April 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 August 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Oct 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 18 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1885
Untitled (Auckland Star, 19 March 1885) Auckland 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
13 Oct 1885
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1885
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW. (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1886
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. (West Coast Times, 04 August 1886) West Coast 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
12 Oct 1886
The Late Captain Gain (Feilding Star, 12 October 1886) Feilding Star · 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
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 19 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 05 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1887
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1888
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 18 April 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
24 Oct 1888
TELEGRAMS (Inangahua Times, 24 October 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Sept 1889
MOUNT SOMERS. (Star, 10 September 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
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 November 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
IN AND ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH. THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1889
THE OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
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
16 Oct 1890
ALICE'S LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 16 October 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1890
Local & General. (Star, 25 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jan 1891
THE INFANTICIDE CASE. (Star, 16 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1891
LOCAL AND GNEERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 26 March 1891) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1891
Untitled (Ashburton Guardian, 01 April 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1891
A "CENTRAL" POLLING-PLACE. (Evening Post, 31 October 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Nov 1891
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1891) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 04 December 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1892
The Salvation Army. (Thames Star, 21 April 1892) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1892
BY MAZEPPA. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 September 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1892
Sporting Mems. (Southland Times, 16 November 1892) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 09 February 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
23 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1893
Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, APRIL I, 1892. THE CHRISTCHURCH UNEMPLOYED. (Wanganui Herald, 01 April 1893) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 18 May 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1893
Local & GeneraL (Star, 18 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Aug 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 24 August 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Sept 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 09 September 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1893
Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1893. THE PUBLIC WORKS' DEBATE. (Wanganui Herald, 28 September 1893) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1893
Local & General. (Star, 07 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 08 November 1893) Marlborough Express · 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
13 Feb 1894
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1894. (Otago Daily Times, 13 February 1894) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 21 June 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jul 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 July 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Aug 1894
NZ. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 23 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1894
N.Z. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1894
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 20 October 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1894
WELLINGTON NOTES. (Otago Witness, 01 November 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1895
West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1896. (West Coast Times, 04 November 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Dec 1895
OTAGO A: AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1896
NOTES OF THE WEEK. (Otago Daily Times, 08 February 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
19 Nov 1896
CANTERBURY DOING. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1896) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1897
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1897
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1897
COUNTRY NEWS. (Star, 29 April 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1897
ANGLO-COLONIAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 01 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1897
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1898
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 11 January 1898) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1898
PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY (Auckland Star, 09 February 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Apr 1898
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 07 April 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1898
CYCLING. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1898
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1898
West Coast Times SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1898. A VINDICATION. (West Coast Times, 03 December 1898) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1898
THE EXHIBITION. (Auckland Star, 13 December 1898) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1898
NOTES BY SLIP. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1898) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1899
LoOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 May 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1899
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 10 June 1899) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 03 August 1899) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1899
POULTRY NOTES. (Otago Witness, 14 September 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1899
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 28 September 1899) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
7 Dec 1899
DETAILS OF THE POLLING (Otago Daily Times, 07 December 1899) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1900s
21 Jun 1900
A VISIT TO THE CHIEF POULTRY YARDS (Otago Witness, 21 June 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1900
LORD SALISBURY AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE (Auckland Star, 22 June 1900) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1900
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 August 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1900
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 September 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1900
OLD WRITERS' WEEK. (Otago Witness, 10 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1900
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 31 October 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1900
THE PROCESSION. (Star, 18 December 1900) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 02 January 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1901
LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE FOLK. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1901) Otago Witness · 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.

“Taking Shape”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch