How many records does the archive hold?

71,563 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.

“"Sumner"”, the shelf

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

3,713 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
22 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 20 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1885
Fires. (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 13 April 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1885
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 13 April 1885) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
Inquest. (Star, 15 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 27 April 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
BIRTH. (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1885
THE BATTLE OF LYTTELTON. (Star, 26 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jun 1885
A Visit to the Lyttelton Batteries. (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. June 11. (North Otago Times, 12 June 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 12 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 14 July 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1885
SUMNER TOWN BOARD. (Star, 01 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Sept 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1885
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 17 December 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · 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.

“"Sumner"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch