How many records does the archive hold?

72,593 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.

“Off & On”, the shelf

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

7,884 records matching 99 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
29 Mar 1878
General Intelligence. (Clutha Leader, 29 March 1878) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1878
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
Untitled (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 April 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1878
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 06 April 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1878
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1878. (Marlborough Express, 13 April 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Auckland Star, 15 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1878
West Coast Time. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1878. (West Coast Times, 16 April 1878) West Coast Times · 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
24 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 April 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. 24th April. (Evening Post, 25 April 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 April 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 01 May 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Colonist, 04 May 1878) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Taranaki Herald, 11 May 1878) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1878
Evening Post. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1878. (Evening Post, 23 May 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1878
GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASES AT CHRISTCHURCH. Christchurch, May 24. (North Otago Times, 25 May 1878) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1878
LATEST CABLE TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 June 1878) 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
13 Jun 1878
SUPREME COURT. (Timaru Herald, 13 June 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1878
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 18. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 June 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1878
West Coast Times. (West Coast Times, 29 June 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1878
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 29 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1878
CANTERBURY DEUTSCHER VEREIN. (Star, 10 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1878
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 13 July 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 18 July 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1878
SUPREME COURT. (Star, 18 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1878
CUSTOMS REVENUE RETURNS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1877-1878. (Timaru Herald, 19 July 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 22 July 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 24 July 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH CLUB. (Star, 29 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 12 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1878
LOCAL AMD GENERAL. (Star, 17 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1878
OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN RAILWAY. (Star, 07 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1878
Evening Post. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1878. (Evening Post, 12 September 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1878
NEW ZEALAND RACERS. (Colonist, 12 September 1878) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1878
Untitled (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 September 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1878
SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. (Waikato Times, 26 September 1878) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · no. 9.1 · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · no. 14.1 · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1878
EXPRESS TELEGRAMS." (Marlborough Express, 05 October 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1878
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 October 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 28 October 1878) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Nov 1878
THE CHRISTCHURCH SPRING MEETING. (Otago Witness, 02 November 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1878
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 November 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1878
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 12 November 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 15 November 1878) Timaru Herald · 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
25 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1878
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 10 December 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1878
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 31 December 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1879
Diary of Henry Bottle, sheet 1 Shipboard diary, Henry Bottle · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
13 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 January 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1879
REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 18 January 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 January 1879) 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.

“Off & On”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch