How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“"a"”, the shelf

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

62,013 records matching 98 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
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
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1883
WELLINGTON (Thames Star, 12 April 1883) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 April 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 13 April 1883) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 13 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 April 1883) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
RAMBLES ROUND THE WORLD.—VIII. (Auckland Star, 14 April 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 14 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. (Waikato Times, 17 April 1883) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1883
Armagh bridge 1 Christchurch bridges: plans and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
18 Apr 1883
Armagh bridge 2 Christchurch bridges: plans and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
19 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1883
PRE-SESSIONAL SPEECH. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 20 April 1883) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1883
Page 24 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 20 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1883
Untitled (Thames Star, 21 April 1883) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1883
FIRES IN CANTERBURY. (Daily Telegraph, 23 April 1883) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. April 21. (North Otago Times, 23 April 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1883
HIGH CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 April 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 April 1883) 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
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 27 April 1883) Timaru Herald · 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
28 Apr 1883
THEATRICAL. (Otago Witness, 28 April 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 30 April 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1883
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 30 April 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1883
A FIRE. (Grey River Argus, 01 May 1883) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 May 1883) Star · 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
1 May 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 May 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1883
LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD. (Star, 04 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 May 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. (Waikato Times, 05 May 1883) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1883
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MAY 7, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 07 May 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
8 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 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
10 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
11 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 11 May 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 11 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1883
VITAL STATISTICS. (Timaru Herald, 17 May 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 18 May 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 May 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
TWO WAYS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 May 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
Fires at Christchurch. (Feilding Star, 19 May 1883) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 19 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 19 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 19 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 24 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
25 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1883
Page 24 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 26 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 26 May 1883) Star · 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
29 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 29 May 1883) Wanganui Herald · 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
31 May 1883
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1883. (West Coast Times, 31 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1883
Untitled (Wanganui Herald, 01 June 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
2 Jun 1883
Page 166 Advertisements Column 1 (Observer, 02 June 1883) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 June 1883) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Auckland Star, 05 June 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1883) Star · 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
6 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 06 June 1883) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 09 June 1883) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1883
LITTLE RIVER ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 June 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1883
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 June 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 14 June 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 14 June 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1883
Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1883. THE SPEECH. (Wanganui Herald, 15 June 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1883
VITAL STATISTICS. (Timaru Herald, 16 June 1883) Timaru Herald · 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.

“"a"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch