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.

“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.

6,635 records matching 99 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
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
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
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
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (North Otago Times, 12 March 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1883
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 March 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (North Otago Times, 13 March 1883) North Otago Times · 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
14 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (North Otago Times, 14 March 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (North Otago Times, 16 March 1883) North Otago Times · 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
20 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 20 March 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (North Otago Times, 21 March 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (North Otago Times, 23 March 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 06 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1883
NEW ZEALAND. (Nelson Evening Mail, 12 April 1883) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1883
WELLINGTON (Thames Star, 12 April 1883) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 26 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
News Of The Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
Evening Post. FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1883. (Evening Post, 27 April 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 01 May 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1883
SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Evening Post, 07 May 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 10 May 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 May 1883
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 May 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (North Otago Times, 29 May 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (North Otago Times, 30 May 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (North Otago Times, 31 May 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (North Otago Times, 01 June 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 02 June 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 06 June 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1883
The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 11 July 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jul 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 27 July 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 08 August 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 10 August 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 11 August 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 14 August 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 17 August 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 18 August 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 03 September 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 05 September 1883) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1883
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 08 September 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1883
Local & General (Star, 03 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 October 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 20 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 30 October 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Nov 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 02 November 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Nov 1883
The Timaru Herald MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 05 November 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Nov 1883
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6,1883. (Timaru Herald, 06 November 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. November 8. (North Otago Times, 09 November 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 10 November 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1883
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 November 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1883
The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1883. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 November 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 December 1883) Star · 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
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1883) Star · 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
1 Jan 1884
Sec. 20 Kekerione No. 1.Archive 132, Series 10/1/3 Maps, plans and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
2 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch