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.

“"Sydenham"”, the shelf

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

6,032 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 1880s
4 Aug 1887
FOOTBALL. (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1887
DEATHS. (Star, 10 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
Road Boards. (Star, 12 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1887
SATURDAY'S MATCHES. (Star, 22 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1887
ELECTION NEWS. (Star, 30 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1887
1.0.0.P., M.U. (Star, 09 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1887
The Municipal Elections. (Evening Post, 09 September 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1887
DEFEAT OF SIR ROBERT STOUT (Feilding Star, 27 September 1887) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1887
CANTERBURY (Nelson Evening Mail, 27 September 1887) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1887
Sydenham. (Star, 27 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1887
CANTERBURY. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 27 September 1887) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1887
CANTERBURY. (Colonist, 27 September 1887) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1887
CANTERBURY. (Timaru Herald, 27 September 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1887
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 28 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1887
CANTERBURY (Colonist, 06 October 1887) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Oct 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1887
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 26 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1887
Local & Genera (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Nov 1887
FIRES IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 14 November 1887) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Dec 1887
Local & General. (Star, 21 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1888
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 20 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Jan 1888
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 21 January 1888) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1888
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 23 January 1888) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1888
THE FIRE BRIGADE DEMONSTRATION. (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1888
ROAD BOARDS. (Star, 22 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1888
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1888
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 March 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1888
THE HUTT RAILWAY. (Evening Post, 02 April 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 April 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1888
Education Board's Scholarships. (Star, 04 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1888
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 05 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1888
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 10 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1888
LOCAL FOOTBALL. (Star, 14 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1888
Local Matches. (Star, 21 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 23 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1888
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 25 May 1888) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 29 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1888
Miscellaneous. (Star, 04 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1888
Senior Matches. (Star, 11 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1888
CHRISTCHURCH FOOTBALL. (Otago Witness, 15 June 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1888
Miscellaneous. (Star, 18 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1888
Senior Matches. (Star, 18 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1888
FOOTBALL. (Star, 21 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1888
Junior Cud. (Star, 16 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1888
Miscellaneous. (Star, 16 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1888
JUNIOR CUP. (Star, 30 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1888
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 01 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1888
Football Fixtures. (Star, 02 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1888
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 07 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1888
FOOTBALL. (Star, 16 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1888
Local & General. (Star, 18 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1888
FOOTBALL. (Star, 20 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1888
TEMPERANCE. (Star, 24 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1888
SYDENHAM BOROUGH. COUNCIL, (Star, 04 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 13 November 1888) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 14 November 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1888
Local & General. (Star, 20 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1888
DESTRUCTION OF THE SYDENHAM ARMY BARRACKS. (Marlborough Express, 20 November 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
28 Nov 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1888
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 29 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 06 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 10 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1889
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 04 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 07 January 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1889
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1889
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 25 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places

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.

“"Sydenham"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch