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.

62,420 records matching 86 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
20 Nov 1888
BARRACKS ON FIRE. (Auckland Star, 20 November 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1888
DESTRUCTION OF THE SYDENHAM ARMY BARRACKS. (Marlborough Express, 20 November 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1888
Fire at Sydenham. (Poverty Bay Herald, 20 November 1888) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1888
COMMERCIAL. (Otago Daily Times, 22 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. November 22. (North Otago Times, 24 November 1888) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 26 November 1888) Marlborough Express · 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
26 Nov 1888
Rifle Shooting. (Star, 26 November 1888) Star · 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
28 Nov 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1888
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 29 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1888
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 30 November 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1888
SHEEP. MERINOS. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1888
THE FORTHCOMING EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 30 November 1888) Otago Witness · 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
1 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 01 December 1888) 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
3 Dec 1888
JUNIOR CUP. (Star, 03 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1888
FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 04 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 06 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Dec 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 06 December 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH SHEEP MARKET. Christchurch, December 5. (North Otago Times, 07 December 1888) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1888
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 07 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1888
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 07 December 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1888
FIRE AT BELFAST FREEZING WORKS. cHRISTCHURCH, December 1. (Otago Witness, 07 December 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1888
THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF NEW ZEALAND. (Auckland Star, 10 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 10 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH RACES (BY TELEGRAPH) Christchurch, December 8 (North Otago Times, 10 December 1888) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1888
INCREASING ACTIVITY IN ELECTRIC LIGHTING. (Timaru Herald, 11 December 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1888
THE EXHIBITION SITE. (Otago Daily Times, 12 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 12 December 1888) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 12 December 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1888
ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES. (Otago Daily Times, 12 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1888
Christchurch News. (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 December 1888) Wanganui Chronicle · 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
15 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 15 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
18 Dec 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 18 December 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
18 Dec 1888
Christchurch News. (Wanganui Chronicle, 18 December 1888) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1888
BELFAST FREEZING WORKS FIRE. Christchurch, December 15. (Te Aroha News, 19 December 1888) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. December 19. (North Otago Times, 21 December 1888) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1888
FOREIGN NOTES. (Auckland Star, 24 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1888
SPORTING. C.J.C. SUMMER MEETING. (Timaru Herald, 24 December 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Dec 1888
CONFIRMATION SERVICES. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 25 December 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
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
27 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH SPORTS. (Grey River Argus, 27 December 1888) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Dec 1888
TELEGRAMS (Evening Post, 27 December 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Dec 1888
Christchurch. (Star, 28 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
The Akaroa Mail, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1888. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 December 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1888
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 29 December 1888) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Dec 1888
FATALITIES. (Star, 31 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1889
Trafalgar Street, Nelson Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1889
A. Francis portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
A. G. Holden portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
Charles August Myhre portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
W. Mitchell portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
H. A. Jackson portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
A. E. Coe portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
James Alexander portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
W. J. Alexander portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
W. Bowman portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
Alfred Ernest Preece portrait Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1889
Book: Stray Leaves from the Early History of Canterbury by George Robert Hart · Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
1889
Plan shewing pastoral runs (within the Midland railway area), Canterbury, N.Z. Heritage Maps / He Mahere Tuku Iho · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
1889
NZ Polo Association, Saville Cup Tournament Entrants Manawatū Heritage · Palmerston North City Library
4 Jan 1889
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 04 January 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jan 1889
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 04 January 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 January 1889) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1889
Nelson Evening Mail. SATURDAY, JANUARY 5, 1889. (Nelson Evening Mail, 05 January 1889) Nelson Evening Mail · 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
5 Jan 1889
New Church at Little River. (Star, 05 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 January 1889) Star · 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
11 Jan 1889
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1889
MAGISTRATE'S COURT. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 12 January 1889) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 January 1889) Star · 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
16 Jan 1889
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 16 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 16 January 1889) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 17 January 1889) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 January 1889) Star · 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

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