How many records does the archive hold?

69,585 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

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

6,529 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
30 Mar 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1882
Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 1882. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 04 April 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 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
17 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH (Star, 20 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
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
2 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 May 1882) Star · 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
15 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 15 May 1882) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 16 May 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1882
EHHIBITION AWARDS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 25 May 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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
5 Jun 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 14 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
19 Jun 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 01 July 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 02 August 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 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
17 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 August 1882) Star · 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
25 Aug 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1882. (Star, 25 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
AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND. (Evening Post, 31 August 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 September 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
21 Sept 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 September 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
5 Oct 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 October 1882) Star · 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 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 09 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 10 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 11 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 12 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 14 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 16 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 17 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 18 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 19 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 20 October 1882) Otago Daily Times · 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
24 Oct 1882
Local & General. (Star, 24 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, Nov. 7. (North Otago Times, 08 November 1882) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, Nov. 8. (North Otago Times, 09 November 1882) North Otago Times · 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
18 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 November 1882) Star · 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
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1882) Star · 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
30 Nov 1882
THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED DAILY. NELSON, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1882. CHEESE AND BUTTER FACTORY. PUBLIC MEETING AT RICHMOND. (Colonist, 30 November 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 December 1882) Star · 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
27 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Poverty Bay Herald, 28 December 1882) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 10 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 10 January 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 January 1883) Star · 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
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 13 January 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1883
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 23 January 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1883
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 02 February 1883) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
9 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 09 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1883
PUPIL TEACHES' EXAMINATION. (Star, 16 February 1883) Star · 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
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 23 February 1883) North Otago Times · 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
27 Feb 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 27 February 1883) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch