How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“"Opawa"”, the shelf

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

1,867 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
4 Mar 1881
LATEST TELEGRAMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 March 1881) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 May 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 26 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 17 October 1881) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 17 October 1881) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1881
Local & General. (Star, 27 October 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 24 January 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Mar 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 02 March 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 March 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 1882. (Star, 14 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 01 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 08 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 09 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 15 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 18 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 03 June 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jun 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 03 July 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 04 July 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 10 July 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 26 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1882
CHARITY SUNDAY. (Star, 14 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 15 November 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 09 December 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 January 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 24 January 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1883
PUPIL TEACHES' EXAMINATION. (Star, 16 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 20 February 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 27 February 1883) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 07 March 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 16 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 29 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 14 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 27 April 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 30 April 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1883
Heathcote Road Board. (Star, 15 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 18 May 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 17 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1883
A FIRE AT OPAWA. (Grey River Argus, 05 November 1883) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 December 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1884
Board of Education. (Star, 18 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 19 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1884
Local & General. (Star, 16 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 February 1884) 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.

“"Opawa"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch