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 Common”, the shelf

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

963 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
1 Mar 1870
Local and General. (Star, 01 March 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1870
Untitled (Otago Daily Times, 15 March 1870) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1870
NEW ZEALAND INTELLIGENCE. (Colonist, 29 March 1870) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1870
Local and General. (Star, 26 April 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1870
THE PROVINCIAL ELECTIONS (Star, 11 May 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1870
Local and General. (Star, 25 July 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Aug 1870
THE Otago Daily Times. DUNEDIN, FRIDAY, AUGUST 12. (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1870) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1870
A. SCHOOL OF MINES. (Otago Witness, 20 August 1870) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Sept 1870
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 September 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1870
Local and General. (Star, 29 September 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1870
CANTERBURY PROVINCE. FEARFUL FIRE AT LYTTELTON. (Colonist, 04 November 1870) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Nov 1870
OURSELVES AS OTHERS SEE US. (Star, 14 November 1870) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1871
NEW ZEALAND. (Colonist, 04 August 1871) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1872
Local and General. (Star, 24 January 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1872
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 02 March 1872) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1872
EVENTS OF THE MONTH. (West Coast Times, 09 March 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1872
Local and General. (Star, 20 March 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1872
Untitled (Wellington Independent, 20 April 1872) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1872
West Coast Times. AND WESTLAND OBSERVER. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1872. (West Coast Times, 24 April 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1872
OPENING OF THE NORTHERN RAILWAY. (Star, 30 April 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1872
DUNEDIN, OAMARU, AND CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 15 May 1872) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1872
WALTHAM WESLEYAN CHURCH. (Star, 27 May 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1872
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (Wellington Independent, 07 August 1872) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Nov 1872
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 November 1872) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1872
News of the Week, (Otago Witness, 07 December 1872) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1872
Untitled (Wellington Independent, 13 December 1872) Wellington Independent · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1873
THE Daily Southern Cross. (Daily Southern Cross, 18 February 1873) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1873
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 22 March 1873) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 29 March 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1873
Local and General. (Star, 05 May 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1873
Provincial Council. (Star, 14 May 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1873
THE LATE MR, H. REDWOOD. (Colonist, 24 June 1873) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jun 1873
THE Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 1873. (Otago Daily Times, 26 June 1873) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1873
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Timaru Herald, 02 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jul 1873
Varieties. (Star, 04 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1873
Local and General. (Star, 04 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1873
Local and General. (Star, 14 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1873
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 23 September 1873) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1873
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 17 October 1873) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Oct 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 25 October 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 December 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1873
Local and General. (Star, 24 December 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1873
THE Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1873. (Otago Daily Times, 25 December 1873) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1874
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1874
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Timaru Herald, 26 January 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1874
YESTERDAY. (Star, 26 January 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 21 February 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Apr 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 April 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1874
Untitled (Auckland Star, 30 July 1874) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 August 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 August 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 August 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1874
ISLANDS OF THE PACIFIC. XXIII. GENTE HERMOSA (Continued). (Daily Southern Cross, 14 September 1874) Daily Southern Cross · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1874
DIOCESAN SYNOD. (Star, 21 October 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1874
CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION. (Star, 13 November 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 December 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1874
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1874) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 December 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Dec 1874
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Timaru Herald, 18 December 1874) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1874
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 26 December 1874) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 23 January 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 February 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1875
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 06 March 1875) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1875
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 03 April 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 May 1875
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. (Star, 12 May 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 August 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1875
Untitled (Evening Post, 09 September 1875) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1875
The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1875. (Nelson Evening Mail, 13 October 1875) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1875
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 27 October 1875) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 October 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1875
SUMMARY FOR EUROPE. (Otago Witness, 20 November 1875) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Feb 1876
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Colonist, 24 February 1876) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Mar 1876
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 18 March 1876) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1876
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 April 1876) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 May 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1876
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 June 1876) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1876
The General Assembly. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1876) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 August 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 September 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1876
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Colonist, 09 September 1876) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1876
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (Wanganui Chronicle, 09 November 1876) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1876
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (Wanganui Herald, 09 November 1876) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 November 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1877
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 17 January 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1877
THE TRADE OF OUR PORT. (Colonist, 23 January 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 February 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1877
Untitled (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 February 1877) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1877
Evening Post. MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1877. (Evening Post, 19 March 1877) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1877
Untitled (Colonist, 24 March 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1877
NORTH OTAGO RACES. (Timaru Herald, 06 April 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1877
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS (Colonist, 07 April 1877) Colonist · 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.

“The Common”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch