How many records does the archive hold?

77,260 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 Great Opportunity Shop”, the shelf

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

426 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
18 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 18 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
27 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 27 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
7 Oct 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 October 1882) Otago Witness · 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
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
1 Mar 1884
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 01 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 October 1884) Star · 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
3 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 03 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 February 1885) Star · 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
3 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
21 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1886
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
17 May 1886
THE SYDENHAM ELECTION, (Evening Post, 17 May 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1886
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1886
THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 28 July 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
27 Nov 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · 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
8 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 26 December 1887) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 January 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 April 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
5 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Aug 1889
Late Advertisements. (Otago Daily Times, 01 August 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1889. (West Coast Times, 10 September 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1889
THE CHRISTCHURCH A. AND P. SHOW. (Otago Witness, 14 November 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
the 1890s
17 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 17 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 05 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1890
FERGUSON'S PATENT PIPE. (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1892) Otago Witness · 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
2 Jul 1892
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1892
THE REDUCTION OF CABLE RATES. (Evening Post, 02 August 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 25 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Dec 1892
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 20 December 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 25 July 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
21 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 21 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1893
POLITICAL NOTES. (Otago Daily Times, 30 September 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 19 October 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
29 Dec 1893
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1893. (Evening Post, 29 December 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jan 1894
Local & General. (Star, 04 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1894
Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1894. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 11 May 1894) Marlborough Express · 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
25 Jun 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1894 THE EX-SPEAKER. (Evening Post, 25 June 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1894
GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING. (Evening Post, 11 August 1894) Evening Post · 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
5 Jan 1895
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 January 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1895
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 15 February 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1895
Mataura Ensign. GORE: TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1895 NEWS AND NOTES. (Mataura Ensign, 19 March 1895) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1895
POST OFFICE NOTICES. (Otago Daily Times, 02 July 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1895
SUPREME COURT. (Star, 14 August 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1896
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 17 January 1896) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1896
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1896. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1896
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 March 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1896
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 June 1896) Star · 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 Great Opportunity Shop”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch