How many records does the archive hold?

70,536 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.

“Colony”, the shelf

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

3,585 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
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
12 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
14 Apr 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 April 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
15 Apr 1882
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 15 April 1882) Timaru Herald · 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
18 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. (Colonist, 18 April 1882) Colonist · 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
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 April 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 22 April 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1882
FURNITURE. (Star, 27 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 27 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (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
4 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. (Colonist, 04 May 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
18 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 18 May 1882) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 May 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
31 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 31 May 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, JUNE 6, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 06 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · 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
15 Jun 1882
COLLING WOOD. (Colonist, 15 June 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
1 Aug 1882
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1882. (Timaru Herald, 01 August 1882) Timaru Herald · 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
22 Aug 1882
Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1882. (Nelson Evening Mail, 22 August 1882) Nelson Evening Mail · 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
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
30 Aug 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 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
5 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1882
The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1882. (Nelson Evening Mail, 12 September 1882) Nelson Evening Mail · 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
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
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
21 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 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
18 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 21 November 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Nov 1882
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21. 1882. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 November 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 22 November 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 24 November 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1882
EXHIBITIONS. Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Exhibition. (Otago Witness, 25 November 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1882
The Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 28 November 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1882
EXHIBITIONS. (Otago Witness, 02 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 09 December 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 28 December 1882) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1883
Opening of Lyttelton Graving Dock. (Southland Times, 04 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 January 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (West Coast Times, 11 January 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 13 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 16 January 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1883
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1899. (Otago Daily Times, 23 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 02 February 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1883
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 February 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1883
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 February 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1883
TELEGRAMS. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (Evening Post, 08 February 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 February 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1883
Local & General. (Star, 08 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. (Waikato Times, 13 February 1883) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1883
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 February 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1883
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1883
The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 22 February 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 07 March 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1883
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 March 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 March 1883) 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.

“Colony”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch