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.

“"a"”, the shelf

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

62,209 records matching 96 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
28 Jun 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 28 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 June 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 29 June 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 30 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 30 June 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 30 June 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1886
RACING IN NEW ZEALAND. NEW BRIGHTON RACES. By Rata. Christchurch, June 29. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 July 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1886
INTERPROVINCIAL NEWS (Wanganui Herald, 05 July 1886) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 06 July 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 08 July 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 08 July 1886) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 09 July 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 09 July 1886) Thames 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
10 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1886
Gloucester Street bridge Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
10 Jul 1886
Gloucester Street bridge site Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
10 Jul 1886
Handrail Gloucester Street bridge Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
10 Jul 1886
Inner girder Gloucester Bridge Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries · about 1 place
12 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1886
SYDENHAM v. MERIVALE. (Star, 12 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
13 Jul 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 14 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 14 July 1886) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 15 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 15 July 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
16 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 16 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 17 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH LIEDERTAFEL. (Star, 19 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1886
Burglary. (Auckland Star, 19 July 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 July 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1886
DEATH. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 July 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 22 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 22 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Jul 1886
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 26 July 1886) Thames Star · 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
27 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH (Colonist, 27 July 1886) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1886
INTERPROVINCIAL (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 July 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 27 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1886
THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 28 July 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 28 July 1886) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 29 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 29 July 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1886
NOTES BY FORWARD. (Otago Witness, 30 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 July 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1886
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 July 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 30 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1886
MARRIAGES. (Otago Witness, 30 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 31 July 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 31 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 03 August 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1886
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. (West Coast Times, 04 August 1886) West Coast Times · 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
5 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 05 August 1886) Wanganui Herald · 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
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 06 August 1886) Auckland 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
6 Aug 1886
Per United Press Association.) (Otago Witness, 06 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1886
In Bankruptcy. (Southland Times, 07 August 1886) Southland 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
9 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 09 August 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH STEEPLECHASES. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch,Wednesday. (Waikato Times, 12 August 1886) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 12 August 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
14 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 14 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 14 August 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1886
Our Volunteers. (Star, 14 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 16 August 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1886
A HARD-UP RATEPAYER. (Tuapeka Times, 18 August 1886) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 18 August 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 August 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 August 1886) 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.

“"a"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch