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
7 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1883
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ITEMS. (Auckland Star, 08 December 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
8 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Otago Daily Times, 08 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 10 December 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Otago Daily Times, 11 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Otago Daily Times, 18 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 8 (Otago Daily Times, 19 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1883
CROWN LANDS SALE. The Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 21 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 25 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 27 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 December 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1884
MELBOURNE GOSSIP. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 10 January 1884) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1884
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 14 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 15 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 16 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 January 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 January 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1884
Board of Health. (Star, 30 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 February 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1884
Local & General. (Star, 12 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1884
Local & General. (Star, 14 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1884
Local & General. (Star, 16 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 March 1884) Star · 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
3 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1884
News of the week. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 March 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
The "Lyttelton Times" Company's New Buildings. (Star, 15 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Mar 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1884
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 26 March 1884) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Apr 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 April 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1884
Untitled (Southland Times, 29 April 1884) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 07 May 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 15 May 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1884
ANOTHER FLAW IN THE LICENSING ACT. (Evening Post, 24 May 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1884
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1884
Local and General (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1884
ANNUAL LICENSING MEETINGS. (Daily Telegraph, 11 June 1884) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1884
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 27 June 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1884
CABLE NEWS. (Evening Post, 10 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 18 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1884) 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.

“Christchurch City Hotel”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch