How many records does the archive hold?

77,260 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.

“"PAPANUI"”, the shelf

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

5,496 records matching 99 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
21 Oct 1875
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 October 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1875
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 November 1875) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1876
St Paul's Anglican Church and Graveyard - List No. 7635 by Pam Wilson [Report Author] · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga · about 1 place
20 Jan 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 January 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1876
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 09 February 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1876
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 10 February 1876) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 February 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 March 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1876
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 March 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1876
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 March 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 June 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1876
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 July 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 October 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 October 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1876
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 November 1876) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1877
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 January 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1877
END OF FIRST YEAR. (Star, 08 February 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1877
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 17 February 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1877
DEPUTATION TO THE DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 13 March 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1877
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 04 April 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1877
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 April 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1877
MAGISTRATES' COURTS. (Timaru Herald, 18 July 1877) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 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
4 Sept 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 September 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 October 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 October 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1878
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 16 January 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 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
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
23 Mar 1878
PRESBYTERY OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 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
5 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (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
15 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1878
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 09 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 February 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 February 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 February 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1879
EDUCATION RETURNS. (Star, 24 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1879
EXTENSION OF GAS MAINS. (Star, 14 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1879
CHURCH GRANTS AND LOANS. (Star, 31 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 06 June 1879) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1879
The Star. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1879, (Star, 24 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Aug 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1879
RECEPTION OF BISHOP REDWOOD. (Star, 06 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Nov 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 21 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1879
THE DRAINAGE OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
9 Jan 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 09 January 1880) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
30 Apr 1880
Page 19 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 30 April 1880) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1880
CITY COUNCIL (Star, 18 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1880
ROAD BOARDS. (Star, 17 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 31 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1880
SOCIETIES. (Star, 27 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1880
Page 13 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 03 September 1880) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 September 1880) 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.

“"PAPANUI"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch