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.

“"Colombo Street"”, the shelf

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

5,917 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
14 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. September 6. (North Otago Times, 07 September 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 07 September 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
HEAVY STORM IN CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 07 September 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 22 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 October 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 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
11 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1884
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19, 1884. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 February 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
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
6 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
7 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
The "Lyttelton Times" Company's New Buildings. (Star, 15 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 Mar 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (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
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
3 Apr 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
22 Apr 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1884
Sydenham Borough Council. (Star, 22 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 April 1884) 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.

“"Colombo Street"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch