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.

“Station One”, the shelf

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

5,351 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
19 Mar 1886
Little River. (Star, 19 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1886
CORRESPONDENCE. (Nelson Evening Mail, 02 April 1886) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 14 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
4 May 1886
SUPREME COURT. (Star, 04 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 Northern Line. (Star, 15 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 15 May 1886) Timaru Herald · 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
17 May 1886
Christchurch Afloat. (Southland Times, 17 May 1886) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1886
GREAT FLOOD IN CANTERBURY. (Colonist, 17 May 1886) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1886
HEAVY GALE AT WELLINGTON. (Timaru Herald, 17 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 May 1886
The Floods. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 May 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 May 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
STORMS. (Auckland Star, 22 May 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 02 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 02 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 05 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 05 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 16 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 19 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 19 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 24 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 25 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1886
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAT, JULY 13, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
24 Jul 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 August 1886) Star · 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
20 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1886) Star · 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
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (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
16 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 16 September 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 17 September 1886) Timaru Herald · 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
24 Sept 1886
LEAVES FROM LETTERS BY W. A. MURRAY. (Clutha Leader, 24 September 1886) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
5 Oct 1886
ALLEGED FORGERY. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 October 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
25 Oct 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 25 October 1886) Marlborough Express · 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
3 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 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
16 Nov 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 November 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1886
The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. (Waikato Times, 18 November 1886) Waikato Times · 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
8 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 December 1886) Star · 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
23 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
12 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1887
Local & General. (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 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
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
24 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 January 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1887
TELEGRAPHIC. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 February 1887) Wanganui Chronicle · 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
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
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
4 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 04 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 12 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 13 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1887
Local & General. (Star, 16 April 1887) 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.

“Station One”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch