How many records does the archive hold?

78,375 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 Free Theatre”, the shelf

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

848 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
12 Apr 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 20 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1878
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1878
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 29 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1878
The otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 November 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1879
MR. CLARK'S DRAINAGE SCHEME AND LOCAL INDUSTRIES. (Evening Post, 02 April 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Apr 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1879
The Star. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1879, (Star, 24 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 27 October 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1879
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1879
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 22 December 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
5 Feb 1880
Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 18S0. (Otago Daily Times, 05 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1880
THE COLONIST PUBLISHED. TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND SATURDAYS. NELSON, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1880. (Colonist, 21 February 1880) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1880
TELEGRAMS. (Tuapeka Times, 25 February 1880) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1880
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 11 May 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1880
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 11 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
23 Jul 1880
The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1880. (Southland Times, 23 July 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1881
THE MOUNT VIEW ASYLUM. (Evening Post, 16 February 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1881
LOCAL AND GKN^IAL. (Star, 25 February 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1881
FUNERAL NOTICE. (Wanganui Herald, 09 March 1881) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 12 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 25 June 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 16 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1881
Local & General. (Star, 27 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 September 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Nov 1881
Looal & General. (Star, 02 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1881
Local & General. (Star, 09 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 31 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1882) Star · 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
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
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
13 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 13 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1882
A MISLEADING COMPARISON. (Evening Post, 14 April 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
13 May 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 13 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 24 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 28 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 18S2. (Otago Daily Times, 29 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 15 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 20 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Oct 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1882
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21. 1882. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 November 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 07 March 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 April 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 26 April 1883) Star · 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
19 May 1883
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 May 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1883
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1883. (West Coast Times, 31 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Sept 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Sept 1883
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 08 September 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Oct 1883
Local & General (Star, 03 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1883
NOTES BY PASQUIN. (Otago Witness, 24 November 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 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
11 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · 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
24 May 1884
ANOTHER FLAW IN THE LICENSING ACT. (Evening Post, 24 May 1884) Evening Post · 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
12 Nov 1884
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 12 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Dec 1884
The Otago Daily Tmes. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1884. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1884
Latest Locals (Star, 23 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1885
The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1885. (Timaru Herald, 12 February 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 13 February 1885) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 May 1885
Local & General. (Star, 06 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
THE PAY IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. (Evening Post, 21 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 23 July 1885) 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 Free Theatre”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch