How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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 Victoria”, the shelf

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

5,122 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
7 May 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 18 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1881
WRECK AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE S. S. TARARUA ON THE OTARA REEF. (Otago Daily Times, 20 May 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 31 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 04 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1881
DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Jun 1881
Local & General. (Star, 23 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jun 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Witness, 25 June 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1881
Local & General. (Star, 04 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Aug 1881
MAGISTEEIAL. (Star, 13 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 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
13 Sept 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 September 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 September 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 September 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1881
A CLERGYMAN'S LETTER. (Colonist, 28 October 1881) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1881
Looal & General. (Star, 02 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Wanganui Herald, 05 November 1881) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Wanganui Herald, 07 November 1881) Wanganui Herald · 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
16 Nov 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
THS GENERAL ELECTIONS (Star, 02 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1881
MUSICAL AND THEATRICAL NOTES. (Otago Daily Times, 10 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 24 December 1881) Star · 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
12 Jan 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 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
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
13 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 13 February 1882) Star · 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
20 Feb 1882
SECOND EDITION. (Star, 20 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 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
28 Feb 1882
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1882) Auckland 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
6 Mar 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 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
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHI- (Otago Daily Times, 11 April 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1882
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 12 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
15 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 15 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
19 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 April 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
21 Apr 1882
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 21 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 25 April 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
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
31 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 31 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 June 1882) Star · 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
2 Jun 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1882) Star · 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
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
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
8 Jul 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 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
31 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 August 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
30 Sept 1882
LOOAL & GENEEAL. (Otago Witness, 30 September 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 03 October 1882) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 October 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 09 October 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Inangahua Times, 13 November 1882) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Inangahua Times, 15 November 1882) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Inangahua Times, 17 November 1882) Inangahua Times · 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 Victoria”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch