How many records does the archive hold?

75,149 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.

“5 Acres”, the shelf

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

4,646 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
31 May 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 07 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 16 July 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 20 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 21 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 25 August 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1887
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Otago Witness, 02 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 24 October 1887) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 02 November 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 26 November 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 09 December 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 31 December 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 18 February 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1888
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 18 April 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1888
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 May 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Aug 1888
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 07 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1888
PUBLIC MEETING AT DUVAUCHELLES. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 11 September 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 05 November 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 28 November 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 December 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 26 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 05 January 1889) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1889
Land Sale. (Star, 04 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Mar 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 April 1889) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1889
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 April 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 17 July 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 23 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1889
Late Advertisements. (Otago Daily Times, 01 August 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1889
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 12 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
27 Sept 1889
A RAILWAY TIMBER GEIEVANCE. (Evening Post, 27 September 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1889
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 17 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1889
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 October 1889) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Oct 1889
Page 19 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Witness, 31 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1889
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 09 November 1889) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
28 Jan 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 22 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 May 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1890) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1890
SABBATH OBSERVANCE. (Auckland Star, 07 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1890
RICHMOND WARD. (Star, 09 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1890
Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JUNE 14,1890. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." (Tuapeka Times, 14 June 1890) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 September 1890) 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.

“5 Acres”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch