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.

“The Victoria”, the shelf

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

5,288 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 Aug 1884
THE NEW PARLIAMENT. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 11 August 1884) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1884
Local & General. (Star, 14 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 August 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1884
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 05 September 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 18 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Untitled (Wanganui Herald, 26 September 1884) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1884
THE DEFENCES OF THE COLONY. (Otago Daily Times, 06 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 18 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1884
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 October 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 27 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 30 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 03 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 06 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 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 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1884
February (Star, 31 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1885
Local & General. (Star, 14 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
23 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 February 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
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
18 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1885
SPORTING HEWS. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1885
PASSING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Mar 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 18 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 20 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 21 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 25 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1885
Papakura Races. (Auckland Star, 13 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1885. (West Coast Times, 15 April 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 April 1885) 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.

“The Victoria”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch