How many records does the archive hold?

79,613 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.

“New City Hotel”, the shelf

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

4,096 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
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jan 1887
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 January 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 16 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1887
The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1887
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 23 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Apr 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 09 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 April 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 April 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 April 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 25 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 27 May 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jun 1887
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 14 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
The Procession. (Star, 22 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 04 July 1887) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 06 August 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 August 1887) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1887
Local & General. (Star, 29 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 01 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 03 September 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 08 September 1887) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1887
THE OTAGO TOUR OF 1887. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1887
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 October 1887) Star · 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
21 Oct 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 21 October 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1887
Hawke's Bay Herald. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26; 1887. AN EXTRAORDINARY STRIKE. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 26 October 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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
10 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1887) Otago Witness · 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
24 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (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
5 Jan 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 05 January 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1888
THE DAILY OTAGO TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 12 January 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1888
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 13 January 1888) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
27 Jan 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 January 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 06 February 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
25 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1888
NEW ZEALAND RIFLE ASSOCIAIION MEETING. (Wanganui Herald, 05 March 1888) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 12 March 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1888
Local & General (Star, 12 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Daily Telegraph, 15 March 1888) Daily Telegraph · 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
6 Apr 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 April 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1888
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 18 April 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 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
15 May 1888
City Council. (Evening Post, 15 May 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 May 1888) Star · 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
1 Jun 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1888
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Bush Advocate, 12 June 1888) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1888
SPORTING NOTES. (Wanganui Chronicle, 20 June 1888) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1888
Local & General. (Star, 30 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1888
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 03 July 1888) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 05 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 12 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1888
FOOTBALL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Aug 1888
Local & General. (Star, 18 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Aug 1888
The Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 1888. (Inangahua Times, 29 August 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1888
Local & General. (Star, 30 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1888
Local & General. (Star, 12 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1888
INTERPROVINCIAL (West Coast Times, 23 October 1888) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“New City Hotel”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch