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.

“The Victoria”, the shelf

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

5,447 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
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
12 Jan 1886
Untitled (Southland Times, 12 January 1886) Southland Times · 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
6 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 06 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 10 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 11 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 March 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 14 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
28 Apr 1886
ORDINARY MEETING. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1886
TURF GOSSIP. (Auckland Star, 08 May 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1886
The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1886. (Daily Telegraph, 15 May 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1886
A FLYING TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND (Otago Daily Times, 28 May 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1886
A FLYING TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND. (Otago Witness, 28 May 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1886
LICENSING COURT. (Star, 01 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1886
THE TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS. (Evening Post, 12 June 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1886
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAT, JULY 13, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jul 1886
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1886
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 23 July 1886) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jul 1886
NOTES BY FORWARD. (Otago Witness, 30 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Aug 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 06 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 09 August 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Aug 1886
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 13 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1886
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 20 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1886
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. (Evening Post, 24 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1886
THE "CANTERBURY TIMES" (Star, 28 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 30 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1886
THE DAMAGE BY THE FLOODS. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 August 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 September 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
MINING. (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1886
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Star, 21 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 29 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1886
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
NOTES BY BEACON (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
NEW SOUTH WALES SPORTING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 21 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 24 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jan 1887
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 January 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Mar 1887
Christchurch Presbytery. (Star, 09 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1887
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1887. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 March 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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