How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“The Bottle-O”, the shelf

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

800 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 1870s
7 Feb 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 February 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1879
MEETING OF CREDITORS. MR. R. J. DUNCAN. (Evening Post, 05 April 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jul 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1879
Grand Opening Ceremonial. (Auckland Star, 17 September 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 09 December 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
9 Jan 1880
CARANDINI CONCERTS. (Taranaki Herald, 09 January 1880) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Apr 1880
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 02 April 1880) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL (Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 03 July 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1880
OAMARU. (Timaru Herald, 09 September 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1880
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST. MARX'S CHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 06 October 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 06 October 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 16 December 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (West Coast Times, 03 January 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1881
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 January 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 May 1881
WRECK AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE S. S. TARARUA ON THE OTARA REEF. (Otago Daily Times, 20 May 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
16 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 16 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 28 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Sept 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 September 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1881
A CLERGYMAN'S LETTER. (Colonist, 28 October 1881) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 December 1881) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1882
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) 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
19 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 April 1882) Star · 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
10 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1882. (Star, 25 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 21 November 1882) Colonist · 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
8 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
27 Feb 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 27 February 1883) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 03 April 1883) Star · 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
28 Jul 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 28 July 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Nelson Evening Mail, 11 September 1883) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · 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
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
15 Aug 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 15 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 January 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
7 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1885) Star · 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
12 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 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
11 Aug 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 31 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 10 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1886
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAT, JULY 13, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 August 1886) Star · 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
5 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
MINING. (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1886) 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.

“The Bottle-O”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch