How many records does the archive hold?

72,593 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.

“The Colombo”, the shelf

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

7,561 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 1870s
24 Mar 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 24 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1879
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 17 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 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
15 May 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 02 June 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
6 Jun 1879
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 6. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 June 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 June 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 June 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 June 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 June 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 July 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 July 1879) Star · 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
12 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 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
22 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 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
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 July 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
6 Aug 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 August 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 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
21 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 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
26 Aug 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 August 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1879) Star · 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
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 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 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 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
3 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 September 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 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 September 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1879
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 09 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 September 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 September 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 October 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 October 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
10 Oct 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 October 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1879
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 13 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 October 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
20 Oct 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 31 October 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 November 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 24 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 December 1879) Star · 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
1 Jan 1880
Colombo Street, showing Cathedral, Christchurch. From the album: New Zealand album by Burton Brothers · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1 Jan 1880
The Golden Age Hotel by Christchurch Star · 1860 - 1900 Christchurch Star photographs · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1880
Christchurch - Season's Greetings by Coxhead, Frank Arnold, 1851-1908 · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1 Jan 1880
Mary and William Thompson and their family 2016 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
10 Jan 1880
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 10 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 January 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 January 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 February 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 March 1880) Star · 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

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.

“The Colombo”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch