How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“Christchurch Town Hall”, the shelf

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

5,650 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
8 Apr 1879
Untitled (Nelson Evening Mail, 08 April 1879) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1879
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 09 April 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1879
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 17 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1879
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 10 May 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1879
North Otago Times. TUESDAY, MAY 20, 1879. (North Otago Times, 20 May 1879) North Otago Times · 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
24 May 1879
THE UNEMPLOYED OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 24 May 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 June 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jun 1879
North Otago Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 1879. (North Otago Times, 05 June 1879) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1879
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 05 July 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 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
24 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1879
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 02 August 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 04 August 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 04 August 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. August 15. (North Otago Times, 16 August 1879) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 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
30 Aug 1879
THE NEW NATIVE DISTURBANCE. (Evening Post, 30 August 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1879
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 02 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 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
10 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1879
THE TAIERI ELECTION. (Otago Witness, 13 September 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1879
Grand Opening Ceremonial. (Auckland Star, 17 September 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Colonist, 18 September 1879) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 24 September 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1879
IMPROVEMENTS IN LYTTELTON. (Star, 25 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 25 September 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 26 September 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 03 October 1879) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Oct 1879
Page 8 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 10 October 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 27 October 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 November 1879) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 28 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Dec 1879
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
1880
Photograph, Family portrait c 1880 by George & Walton · NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
3 Jan 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 03 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 09 January 1880) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1880
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 10 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1880
Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 23 January 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
28 Jan 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 January 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1880
Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 18S0. (Otago Daily Times, 05 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1880
POST OFFICE NOTICE. (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 February 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 13 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1880
Untitled (Evening Post, 16 February 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1880
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 18 February 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1880. DEATH. (Otago Daily Times, 23 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 24 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1880
Untitled (West Coast Times, 24 February 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1880
TELEGRAMS. (Tuapeka Times, 25 February 1880) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Feb 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 26 February 1880) West Coast Times · 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
3 Mar 1880
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 March 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1880
The Star. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1880. (Star, 03 March 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1880
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 23 March 1880) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1880
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1880
Untitled (West Coast Times, 06 April 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1880
SCENE IN THE GISBORNE COURT. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 22 April 1880) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1880
THE SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 24 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 May 1880) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Southland Times, 05 May 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 11 May 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1880
CITY COUNCIL. (Auckland Star, 10 June 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 17 June 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL (Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 25 June 1880) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 03 July 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1880
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 12 July 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1880
Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 17 July 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1880
The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1880. (Southland Times, 23 July 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 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

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.

“Christchurch Town Hall”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch