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.

“Tank”, the shelf

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

734 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
2 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1883
TELEGRAMS. INTERPROVINCIAL. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (Waikato Times, 06 February 1883) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 16 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · 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
4 Oct 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 04 October 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
The "Lyttelton Times" Company's New Buildings. (Star, 15 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 Jul 1884
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 18 July 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1884
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 October 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Oct 1884
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 25 October 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 June 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
16 May 1887
MISHAP AT THE LYTTELTON GRAVING DOCK. (Star, 16 May 1887) 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
15 Dec 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 15 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1889
THE CHRISTCHURCH A. AND P. SHOW. (Otago Daily Times, 11 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
7 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 07 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1890
BOARD OP EDUCATION (Star, 29 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1890
Ordinary Meeting. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 November 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1893
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1893
FIRE. (Star, 17 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1893
BOARD OF EDUOATION. (Star, 31 August 1893) Star · 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
2 Nov 1893
Local & General. (Star, 02 November 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 March 1894) Star · 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
23 Apr 1894
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1894
Local & General. (Star, 30 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1894
Local & General. (Star, 26 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1894
GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING. (Evening Post, 11 August 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1895
SWIMMING. (Star, 17 December 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 02 February 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1897
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 02 December 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1898
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 March 1898) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1899
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 March 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1899
LINWOOD. (Star, 19 September 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1899
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 14 November 1899) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1899
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Daily Times, 24 November 1899) Otago Daily Times · 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
30 Nov 1899
SHOWS. OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1899) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1900s
2 Apr 1900
THE FIFTH COTINGENT. (Otago Daily Times, 02 April 1900) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Apr 1900
THE CONTINGENTS. (Otago Witness, 05 April 1900) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Jun 1900
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Timaru Herald, 14 June 1900) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1900
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times 14-8-1900) Otago Daily Times · 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
20 Nov 1900
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 20 November 1900) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 28 February 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1901
BURGESSES' ASSOCIATION. (Star, 20 April 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1901
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 24 July 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1901
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERT EVENING. GISBORNE SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1901 (Poverty Bay Herald, 10 August 1901) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1901
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 September 1901) Evening Post · 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
13 Nov 1901
CANTERBURY METROPOLITAN SHOW. OPENING DAY. (Otago Witness, 13 November 1901) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1901
HIGH LEVELS TRAMWAY. COMPLETION OF THE SCHEME. " (Evening Post, 05 December 1901) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1901
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1901
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 December 1901) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 January 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 May 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1902
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 May 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 June 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 11 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 12 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 July 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Aug 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 August 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 30 September 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Oct 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1902
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1902
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Oct 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1902
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 October 1902) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1902
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 October 1902) 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.

“Tank”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch