How many records does the archive hold?

79,613 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.

“Canterbury Legal”, the shelf

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

576 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
12 Jan 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 January 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 16 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1884
Sydenham Borough Council. (Star, 26 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1884
ANOTHER FLAW IN THE LICENSING ACT. (Evening Post, 24 May 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1884
THE NEW PARLIAMENT. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 11 August 1884) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1884
Local & General. (Star, 14 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Bruce Herald, 17 October 1884) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1884
THE LATE MR T. S. DUNCAN. (Star, 26 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1885
OUR CANTERBURY LETTER. (Otago Daily Times, 21 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jul 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 July 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
THE PAY IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. (Evening Post, 21 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 01 October 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 17 October 1885) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1885
DUNEDIN CUP. AUCKLAND TRAINING NOTES. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES, (Otago Witness, 19 December 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1886
ORDINARY MEETING. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
MISCELLANEOUS. (Auckland Star, 22 May 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1886
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. (West Coast Times, 04 August 1886) West Coast Times · 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
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
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Oct 1886
SPORTING NEWS. The following are the weights for the TAPANUI HANDICAP. NEW ZEALAND OUP. SPRING HANDICAP. PARK STAKES HANDICAP. OTAHUHU RACES. MAIDEN PLATE. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES. CHRISTCHURCH BETTING.-Wednesday. SPORTING NOTES FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · 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
10 Dec 1886
NOTES BY BEACON (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 12 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1887
CHRISTCHURCH SPECIALS. (Wanganui Herald, 23 March 1887) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1887
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 25 April 1887) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1887
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 01 September 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 21 October 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1887
Hawke's Bay Herald. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26; 1887. AN EXTRAORDINARY STRIKE. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 26 October 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1888
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
11 Sept 1888
PUBLIC MEETING AT DUVAUCHELLES. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 11 September 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
20 Nov 1888
Local & General. (Star, 20 November 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
14 Dec 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 December 1888) Otago Witness · 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
18 Jan 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1889
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 28 August 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Mar 1890
MAGISTERIAL. (Timaru Herald, 01 March 1890) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1890
WEST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 29 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1890
District and General. (Bush Advocate, 26 July 1890) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 03 February 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1891
The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 1891. LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 06 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Apr 1891
Untitled (Ashburton Guardian, 01 April 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 01 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 05 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 29 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1891
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1891) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1892
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 May 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 May 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1893
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 January 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1893
Local & General. (Star, 21 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Apr 1893
THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1893
THE OTAGO UNIVERSITY. (Otago Witness, 13 April 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Oct 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 19 October 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Nov 1893
Local & General. (Star, 02 November 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1893
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1893. 1893. (Evening Post, 30 December 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1894
AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. (Otago Witness, 25 January 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 12 April 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 May 1894
Local & General. (Star, 26 May 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1894
MONTHLY SUMMARY FOR EUROPE and AMERICA. (Auckland Star, 14 June 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1894
Evening Post. SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 1894. THE TREASURER AT OAMARU. (Evening Post, 16 June 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 21 June 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jun 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, JUNE 25, 1894 THE EX-SPEAKER. (Evening Post, 25 June 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1894
THE ELLESMERE GUARDIAN. WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1894. (Ellesmere Guardian, 04 July 1894) Ellesmere Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY. JULY 23, 1894 THE OTTAWA CONFERENCE. (Evening Post, 23 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1894
NZ. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 23 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1894
N.Z. PARLIAMENT. (Otago Witness, 30 August 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1894
The Christchurch �� Sumner Canal. (Star, 31 August 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1894
Local & General. (Star, 21 September 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1894
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 16 October 1894) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894. 1894. (Evening Post, 31 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1895
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 14 January 1895) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1895
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 11 April 1895) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1895
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 29 May 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1895
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 June 1895) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1895
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 10 June 1895) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1895
West Coast Times. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1896. (West Coast Times, 04 November 1895) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 22 January 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1896
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Otago Daily Times, 17 March 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1896
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1896. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1896) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1896
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1896
Local and General News. (Feilding Star, 18 June 1896) Feilding Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 June 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“Canterbury Legal”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch