How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“Story”, the shelf

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

1,076 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 1880s
26 Jul 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 August 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1884
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 05 December 1884) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1884
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1885
Church of St Saviour - List No. 1929 by Robyn Burgess [Report Author] · Canterbury Region · The New Zealand Heritage List/Rārangi Kōrero · Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga · about 1 place
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 Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1885. (Timaru Herald, 12 February 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 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
26 May 1885
THE BATTLE OF LYTTELTON. (Star, 26 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jun 1885
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 08 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1885
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH RETURNS. (Evening Post, 17 July 1885) Evening Post · 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
11 Aug 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1885
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1885. (West Coast Times, 24 December 1885) West Coast Times · 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
23 Feb 1886
THE Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Marlborough Express, 23 February 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Local & General. (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1886
THE TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS. (Evening Post, 12 June 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · 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
20 Aug 1886
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 20 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 27 August 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 September 1886) New Zealand Tablet · 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
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1886
OUR LONDON LETTER. (Star, 21 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 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
1 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 July 1887) Otago Witness · 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
10 Aug 1887
ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 30 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
21 Oct 1887
Local & General. (Star, 21 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1887
AUSTRALIA." (Evening Post, 24 November 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 January 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1888) 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
6 Apr 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 April 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1888
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Bush Advocate, 12 June 1888) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 16 August 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1888
Evening Post. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1888. (Evening Post, 15 September 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Nov 1888
Local & General. (Star, 20 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
22 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1889
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 04 January 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Feb 1889
The Star. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1889. Clocks and Clock-towers. (Star, 23 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 08 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1889
Local & General. (Star, 24 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
13 Jun 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 June 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1889
The Social World. (Observer, 29 June 1889) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 04 July 1889) Star · 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
27 Sept 1889
A RAILWAY TIMBER GEIEVANCE. (Evening Post, 27 September 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1889
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 09 November 1889) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 November 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
Local & General. (Star, 27 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1889
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Bush Advocate, 24 December 1889) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
21 Jan 1890
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 21 January 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1890
Untitled (Star, 11 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Sweating Commission at Auckland (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 April 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1890
Part 111. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 26 May 1890) Auckland 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
5 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1890
THE NEW ZEALANDER AT HOME. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1890
The New Parliament. (Auckland Star, 08 December 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1890
Local & General. (Star, 31 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1891
Untitled (Ashburton Guardian, 01 April 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 April 1891) Star · 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
29 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 29 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1891
Local & General. (Star, 06 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1891
The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1891. (Daily Telegraph, 16 September 1891) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Sept 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 September 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 09 November 1891) Evening Post · 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
4 Dec 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 04 December 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 09 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 March 1892) Otago Witness · 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.

“Story”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch