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 Victoria”, the shelf

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

5,568 records matching 97 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
1 Sept 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 September 1888) Star · 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
2 Oct 1888
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 October 1888) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1888
TELEGRAMS (Inangahua Times, 24 October 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
1 Dec 1888
Fire at Christchurch. (Daily Telegraph, 01 December 1888) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1888
FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 01 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1888
FIRE AT BELFAST FREEZING WORKS. (Timaru Herald, 03 December 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 15 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 17 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Dec 1888
Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1888. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." GOOD ADVICE. Local and General Intelligence. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1888) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 07 January 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1889
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 09 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 16 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 18 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1889
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 January 1889) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1889
SHIPPING, (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · 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
1 Mar 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 March 1889) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1889
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1889. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 08 March 1889) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
25 Mar 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 08 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL. (Evening Post, 12 April 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
15 Apr 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, APRIL 15, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 15 April 1889) Otago Daily Times · 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
THE PREMIER AND THE GOVERNOR. (Evening Post, 23 April 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 04 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Jun 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Inangahua Times, 03 June 1889) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 July 1889) Auckland Star · 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
3 Aug 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 August 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1889. (West Coast Times, 10 September 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 16 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1889
THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1889. (Grey River Argus, 20 September 1889) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 21 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1889
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 23 September 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
17 Oct 1889
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 17 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1889
A School of Engineering. (Star, 29 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Nov 1889
THE CHRISTCHURCH A. AND P. SHOW. (Otago Daily Times, 11 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1889
THE CHRISTCHURCH A. AND P. SHOW. (Otago Witness, 14 November 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 22 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
IN AND ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH. THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
Local & General. (Star, 27 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 03 December 1889) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1889
THE OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
Singer Sewing Machine Staff 1895 2010 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Photograph, Molly and Nelly Dawson by Hughes, Frederic Boulton · NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
1 Jan 1890
Photograph, Victoria Street Bridge NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
11 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1890
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1890. (Auckland Star, 20 January 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 19 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1890
NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. (Grey River Argus, 01 March 1890) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1890
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 03 March 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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
Sweating Commission at Auckland (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 April 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 25 April 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jun 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 June 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jun 1890
SABBATH OBSERVANCE. (Auckland Star, 07 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 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
18 Jun 1890
TO CORRESPONDENTS. (Auckland Star, 18 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 June 1890) Star · 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
15 Jul 1890
CANTERBURY COLLEGE (Star, 15 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 28 July 1890) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Aug 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 15 August 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1890
GAP AND JACKET. (Observer, 30 August 1890) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Sept 1890
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 03 September 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 19 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1890
Local & General, (Star, 20 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 25 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · 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 Victoria”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch