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.

“St John Shop”, the shelf

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

933 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
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
2 Oct 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1882
Local & General. (Star, 24 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 13 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · 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 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 09 March 1883) New Zealand Tablet · 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
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 17 October 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 November 1883) Star · 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
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
7 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
11 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (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
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
20 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1884
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 01 March 1884) Auckland Star · 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
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 April 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
3 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1884
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1884) 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
21 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION'S LAND PURCHASES. (Evening Post, 19 March 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
24 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 September 1885) 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.

“St John Shop”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch