How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“Christchurch City Hotel”, the shelf

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

5,097 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
22 Oct 1881
Page 94 Advertisements Column 2 (Observer, 22 October 1881) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 24 October 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1881
Local & General. (Star, 27 October 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1881
Local & General. (Star, 29 October 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1881
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 04 November 1881) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1881
Local & General. (Star, 08 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1881
Local & General. (Star, 09 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 19 November 1881) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Dec 1881
passing Notes. (Otago Witness, 31 December 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 09 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 10 January 1882) 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
12 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1882
Untitled (Evening Post, 16 January 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 23 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1882
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 27 January 1882) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
6 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 07 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 13 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1882
THE PETITION AGAINST THE RETURN OF MR W. H. PILLIET FOR STANMORE. (Timaru Herald, 17 February 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1882
Passing Notes. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 18 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1882. (Star, 24 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 25 February 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1882
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1882) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 March 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
17 Mar 1882
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MARCH IT, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 17 March 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 17 March 1882) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1882
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 20 March 1882) Timaru Herald · 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
23 Mar 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 23 March 1882) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Mar 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 27 March 1882) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Mar 1882
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 29 March 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 30 March 1882) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 30 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 31 March 1882) New Zealand Tablet · 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
12 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Apr 1882
Untitled (Southland Times, 18 April 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
8 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1882
Local & General. (Star, 10 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 13 May 1882) Timaru Herald · 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
22 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 25 May 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 May 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1882
Telegraphic Brief. (Otago Witness, 27 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jun 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 03 June 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jun 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1882
CHRISTCHURCH EAST. (Star, 05 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1882
Untitled (Clutha Leader, 16 June 1882) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 17 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 22 June 1882) Southland Times · 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
10 Jul 1882
Local & General. (Star, 10 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Auckland Star, 14 July 1882) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 18 July 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1882
INTERPROVINCIAL (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 August 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 02 August 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 14 August 1882) Star · 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
15 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 23 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 August 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
26 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 26 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 29 August 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1882
AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND. (Evening Post, 31 August 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 01 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 04 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Daily Telegraph, 07 September 1882) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1882
Memoranda of the Month. (Thames Star, 09 September 1882) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1882
The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1882. (Star, 13 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 September 1882) Star · 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
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1882
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 29 September 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1882
LOOAL & GENEEAL. (Otago Witness, 30 September 1882) Otago Witness · 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.

“Christchurch City Hotel”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch