How many records does the archive hold?

72,593 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 Colombo”, the shelf

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

7,412 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 1870s
2 Jul 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 July 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1877
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News," "The Morning News," and "The Echo." FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1877. (Auckland Star, 06 July 1877) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jul 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 July 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 July 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1877
Page 6 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 18 July 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 July 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 August 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 August 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 September 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 October 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 October 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 October 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 November 1877) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 November 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1877
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 December 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1877
CHRISTCHURCH (Star, 06 December 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1877
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 24 December 1877) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 24 January 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 29 January 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 January 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1878
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 05 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1878
LOOAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 05 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1878
LOOAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · no. 10.1 · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · no. 12.1 · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 May 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 31 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. (Star, 02 July 1878) 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 Colombo”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch