How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“Salt”, the shelf

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

598 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
29 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 18 July 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1879
Diary of Henry Bottle, sheet 3 Shipboard diary, Henry Bottle · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
7 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 07 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 08 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 10 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 12 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 14 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 17 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 19 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 20 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 21 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 22 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 26 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 27 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 29 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Grey River Argus, 31 March 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1879
MEETING OF CREDITORS. MR. R. J. DUNCAN. (Evening Post, 05 April 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Sept 1879
Grand Opening Ceremonial. (Auckland Star, 17 September 1879) Auckland Star · 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
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
26 Apr 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 26 April 1880) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1881
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 01 July 1881) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 22 October 1881) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1881
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Wanganui Herald, 07 November 1881) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1882
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 20 March 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1882
Untitled (Clutha Leader, 16 June 1882) Clutha Leader · 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
9 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 09 October 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1882
EXHIBITIONS. (Otago Witness, 02 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 02 February 1883) Evening Post · 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
30 Mar 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 March 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1883
RAMBLES ROUND THE WORLD.—VIII. (Auckland Star, 14 April 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 28 July 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 21 November 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1883
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ITEMS. (Auckland Star, 08 December 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Mar 1884
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 26 March 1884) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 May 1884
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 May 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 15 May 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 26 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Oct 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 30 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 03 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 06 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1884
NEW ZEALAND MANUFACTURES AND PRODUCE. (Auckland Star, 10 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 July 1885) Star · 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
16 Nov 1885
Local & General. (Star, 16 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 February 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · 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
10 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 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
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
4 Nov 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 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
12 May 1887
Saint John's Anglican Church (Southland Times, 12 May 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 14 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1887
OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 02 December 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jun 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 16 August 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 28 November 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
7 Mar 1889
Marlborough Express, PUBLSISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1889. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 07 March 1889) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1889
The Oddfellows. (Star, 15 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1889
NORTH CANTERBURY. (Timaru Herald, 22 April 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 23 August 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
22 Oct 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 22 October 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Nov 1889
THE CHRISTCHURCH A. AND P. SHOW. (Otago Daily Times, 11 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (North Otago Times, 15 November 1889) North Otago Times · 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.

“Salt”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch