How many records does the archive hold?

62,792 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.

“New World”, the shelf

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

2,275 records matching 99 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 1870s
19 Jul 1878
CUSTOMS REVENUE RETURNS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1877-1878. (Timaru Herald, 19 July 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 July 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 July 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 August 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 August 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 August 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 August 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1878
LOCAL AMD GENERAL. (Star, 17 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 23 August 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 August 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 October 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 08 October 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jan 1879
Untitled (West Coast Times, 21 January 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1879
Untitled (Otago Daily Times, 19 February 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1879
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION. (Evening Post, 07 March 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1879
EXTENSION OF GAS MAINS. (Star, 14 May 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 June 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jul 1879
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 05 July 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1879
The Star. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1879, (Star, 24 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1879
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 09 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1879
Grand Opening Ceremonial. (Auckland Star, 17 September 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1879
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 17 October 1879) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Dec 1879
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 09 December 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1879
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 22 December 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
23 Jan 1880
Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 23 January 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
5 Feb 1880
Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 18S0. (Otago Daily Times, 05 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1880
POST OFFICE NOTICE. (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1880
THE BANK RETURNS. (Evening Post, 14 February 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1880. DEATH. (Otago Daily Times, 23 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 24 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1880
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 02 April 1880) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 06 April 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1880
OUR DEAF AND DUMB. (Star, 05 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1880
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 11 June 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1880
Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1880 THE NEW ECONOMY. (Wanganui Herald, 15 June 1880) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jun 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL (Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1880
The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Luceo Non Uro. FRIDAY, JULY 23, 1880. (Southland Times, 23 July 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 28 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1880
OAMARU. (Timaru Herald, 09 September 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1880
THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON. (Wanganui Herald, 10 September 1880) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Sept 1880
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 13 September 1880) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1880
Hawke's Bay Herald. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1880. PROTECTION. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 15 September 1880) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1880
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF ST. MARX'S CHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 06 October 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 06 October 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1880
MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 09 October 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1880
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1880. (West Coast Times, 12 October 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1880
THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. (Star, 22 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1880
The Star. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1880. (Star, 09 December 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Dec 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 16 December 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1880
ANNIVERSARY OF THE PROVINCE OF CANTERBURY. (Timaru Herald, 17 December 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1881
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1881. (Otago Daily Times, 14 January 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1881
Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. (Waikato Times, 18 January 1881) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Mar 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Southland Times, 03 March 1881) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Mar 1881
THE CORPORATION AND THE QUEEN'S WHARF. (Evening Post, 08 March 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1881
The Southland Times. PUBLISHED DAILY. Luceo Non Uro. MONDAY. MARCH 14, 1881. (Southland Times, 14 March 1881) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1881
THE PROPERTY TAX RETURNS. (Evening Post, 28 March 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 01 April 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 08 April 1881) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 18 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1881
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 20 May 1881) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1881
NEWS IN BRIEF. (Tuapeka Times, 25 May 1881) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1881
Page 10 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 03 June 1881) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1881
DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Jul 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 11 July 1881) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1881
A CLERGYMAN'S LETTER. (Colonist, 28 October 1881) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1881
THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
THS GENERAL ELECTIONS (Star, 02 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1882
Addington Water Tower - List No. 5390 by Melanie Lovell-Smith [Report Author] · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga · about 1 place
11 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1882
Untitled (Evening Post, 16 January 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1882
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1882. THE CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 January 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1882
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 13 February 1882) 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.

“New World”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch