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.

5,355 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
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
17 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 30 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Daily Telegraph, 14 May 1885) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1885
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 15 May 1885) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 27 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1885
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 10 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 10 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 15 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1885
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH RETURNS. (Evening Post, 17 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1885
FIXTURES. (Observer, 18 July 1885) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 28 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Wanganui Herald, 31 July 1885) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1885
Road Boards. (Star, 27 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 31 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 08 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1885
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 26 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Nov 1885
OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW. (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Dec 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 17 December 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Dec 1885
DUNEDIN CUP. AUCKLAND TRAINING NOTES. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES, (Otago Witness, 19 December 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 09 January 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1886
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 19 January 1886) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Feb 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 16 February 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1886
D.J.O. AUTUMN MEETING. CUP DAY. WINNERS OF CHAMPAGNE STAKES. PEDIGREEE OP THE WINNER. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Mar 1886
BIRTHS. (Star, 02 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 04 March 1886) Grey River Argus · 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