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.

“Colony”, the shelf

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

3,715 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
26 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 30 January 1884) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 12 February 1884) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1884
Local & General. (Star, 16 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Mar 1884
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 01 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (North Otago Times, 03 March 1884) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 05 March 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1884
CATHOLIC CEREMONIES AT WELLINGTON. (New Zealand Tablet, 21 March 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1884
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 26 March 1884) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1884
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 12 April 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Apr 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 April 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 08 May 1884) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1884
THEATRICAL. (Otago Witness, 10 May 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 17 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1884
ANOTHER FLAW IN THE LICENSING ACT. (Evening Post, 24 May 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 07 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1884
ANGLO-COLONIAL SUMMARY. (Star, 25 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1884
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 June 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1884
CRICKET. (Otago Witness, 28 June 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 30 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1884
CABLE NEWS. (Evening Post, 10 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 18 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 July 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
12 Aug 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1884
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Daily Telegraph, 02 September 1884) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 04 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1884
Latest Locals (Star, 10 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Sumner Town Board. (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
23 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 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
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 07 October 1884) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1884
THE CHRISTCHURCH DOMAIN AND GARDENS. (Timaru Herald, 09 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 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
18 Oct 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 18 October 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1884
City Council. (Star, 21 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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

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.

“Colony”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch