How many records does the archive hold?

74,024 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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

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

7,056 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 1880s
13 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1886
The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1886. (Daily Telegraph, 15 May 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 May 1886) 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
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
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
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
26 Jul 1886
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 28 July 1886) Colonist · 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
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
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
20 Aug 1886
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 20 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1886
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. (Evening Post, 24 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1886
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 26 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1886
THE "CANTERBURY TIMES" (Star, 28 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 30 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1886
THE "CANTERBURY TIMES" (Star, 03 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1886
THE §tq likr Jrps, PUBLISHED DAILY. MONDAY, OCTOBER 4,1886. (Grey River Argus, 04 October 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Oct 1886
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 19 October 1886) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1886
Untitled (West Coast Times, 29 October 1886) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 29 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 04 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1886
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 24 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Otago Daily Times, 21 December 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1887
Untitled (Southland Times, 20 January 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1897. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1887
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE. (Timaru Herald, 26 January 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1887
PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE. (Otago Daily Times, 26 January 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1887
EAST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1887
New Brighton Tramway official schedule of tolls and charges Ernest Smith, photographs and papers · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
18 Feb 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1887
Local & General. (Star, 25 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 26 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1887
The New Zealand Rifle Association. (Thames Star, 28 February 1887) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 03 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1887
The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 12 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 14 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1887
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1887. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 March 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 15 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1887
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 23 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 26 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1887
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 15 April 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1887
THE UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS. (Otago Daily Times, 19 April 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1887
University Degrees. (Star, 19 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1887
THE UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS. (Otago Daily Times, 20 April 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1887
THE UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS. (Otago Witness, 22 April 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1887
School Committees. (Star, 07 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 May 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1887
Saint John's Anglican Church (Southland Times, 12 May 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1887
MONDAY, MAY 23, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 23 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1887
THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON AND CANON LAW! (New Zealand Tablet, 27 May 1887) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 Jun 1887
Licensing Committees. (Star, 06 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 14 June 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1887
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 14 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1887
Christchurch. (Star, 20 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
The Procession. (Star, 22 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 23 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1887
THE NEW ELECTORATES. (Timaru Herald, 05 July 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
8 Jul 1887
FOOTBALL IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 08 July 1887) Otago Witness · 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
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
22 Jul 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Southland Times, 22 July 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jul 1887
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (West Coast Times, 23 July 1887) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1887
FOOTBALL. (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 06 August 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Aug 1887
ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Aug 1887
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1887) Otago Daily Times · 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
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 August 1887) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1887
Page 8 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 13 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Aug 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1887
FOOTBALL. (Star, 18 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“Smith and Smith”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch