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.

“On The Low”, the shelf

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

5,813 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
21 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1888
UNIVERSITY OP NEW ZEALAND. (Star, 26 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1888
Page 20 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Witness, 10 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1888
NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY. (Otago Daily Times, 22 February 1888) Otago Daily Times · 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
14 Mar 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Daily Telegraph, 15 March 1888) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1888
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 March 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1888
THE RAILWAY RETURNS. (Otago Daily Times, 21 March 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 April 1888) Otago Witness · 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
25 Apr 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 25 April 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jun 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 June 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1888
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JULY 3, 1888. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 July 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 05 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jul 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 07 July 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
Local & General. (Star, 13 July 1888) Star · 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
3 Aug 1888
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 03 August 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 29 August 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1888
POLICE COURT. (Star, 29 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 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
24 Oct 1888
TELEGRAMS (Inangahua Times, 24 October 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1888
SEWYN COUNTY COUNCIL. (Star, 30 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1888
THE SUTHERLAND WATERFALL THE SUTHERLAND WATER (Otago Witness, 02 November 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · 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
14 Nov 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 14 November 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
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
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
14 Dec 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 December 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
28 Dec 1888
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jan 1889
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 04 January 1889) Star · 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
6 Feb 1889
SHIPPING, (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 09 February 1889) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 11 February 1889) Star · 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
12 Mar 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 12 March 1889) Otago Daily Times · 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
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
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 April 1889) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1889
Latest Locals. (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
THE PREMIER AND THE GOVERNOR. (Evening Post, 23 April 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1889
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1889. (West Coast Times, 27 April 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
31 May 1889
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 31 May 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 June 1889) Auckland Star · 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
27 Jun 1889
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 27 June 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 09 July 1889) Bruce Herald · 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
23 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 23 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 26 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 30 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1889
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 30 July 1889) Poverty Bay 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
3 Aug 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 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
2 Sept 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Southland Times, 02 September 1889) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Southland Times, 17 September 1889) Southland Times · 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

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.

“On The Low”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch