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.

“On The Spot”, the shelf

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

1,146 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 1870s
12 Nov 1878
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 12 November 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1878
BOXING DAY. (Star, 27 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
31 Dec 1878
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 31 December 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1879
REAPER AND BINDER TRIAL AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 29 January 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1879
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 01 March 1879) Otago Witness · 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
27 Mar 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 March 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1879
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, JUNE 6. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 June 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 06 June 1879) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jul 1879
LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD. (Star, 04 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 12 July 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Nov 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 21 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1879
Waste Land Board. (Otago Witness, 22 November 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
the 1880s
9 Jan 1880
THE NEW CONVENT, CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 09 January 1880) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
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
27 Feb 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Mar 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 March 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1880
INTERIM REPORT BY THE NATIVE COMMISSION. (Evening Post, 18 March 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1880
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 02 April 1880) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1880
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 11 May 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1880
CITY COUNCIL. (Auckland Star, 10 June 1880) Auckland Star · 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
19 Jun 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. June 18. (North Otago Times, 19 June 1880) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 14 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1880
Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 17 July 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 September 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
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
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
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
CHRISTOHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 04 November 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Nov 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 November 1880) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
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
26 Feb 1881
THEATRICAL & MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 26 February 1881) Otago Witness · 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
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
28 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 28 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Oct 1881
A CLERGYMAN'S LETTER. (Colonist, 28 October 1881) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1881
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 04 November 1881) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · 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
28 Jan 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1882. (Star, 10 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1882
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MARCH IT, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 17 March 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHI- (Otago Daily Times, 11 April 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
14 Apr 1882
A MISLEADING COMPARISON. (Evening Post, 14 April 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 15 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Apr 1882
OPENING OP THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 27 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 13 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 17 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1882. (Star, 25 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Sept 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 13 September 1882) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 20 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1882
EXHIBITIONS. Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Exhibition. (Otago Witness, 25 November 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 10 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 12 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 February 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1883
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 February 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 06 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
RAMBLES ROUND THE WORLD.—VIII. (Auckland Star, 14 April 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1883
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 May 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Aug 1883
LOOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 20 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1883
THE DUST NUISANCE. (Evening Post, 08 November 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 November 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
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1884
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 March 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1884
Accidents. (Star, 31 March 1884) 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.

“On The Spot”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch