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.

“The Cup”, the shelf

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

1,676 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
22 Feb 1881
AUSTRALIAN. (Evening Post, 22 February 1881) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1881
LOCAL AND GKN^IAL. (Star, 25 February 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1881
LATEST TELEGRAMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 04 March 1881) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 12 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1881
AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Wanganui Herald, 18 May 1881) Wanganui Herald · 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
27 May 1881
Evening Post. FRIDAY, MAY 27, 1881. THE PREMIER'S SPEECH. (Evening Post, 27 May 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
23 Jun 1881
Local & General. (Star, 23 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jun 1881
Dunedin Industrial Exhibition. (Otago Witness, 25 June 1881) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 11 July 1881) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 16 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 28 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Aug 1881
Local & General. (Star, 01 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1881
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 02 August 1881) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1881
Local & General. (Star, 04 August 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 06 October 1881) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 14 October 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 15 October 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 17 October 1881) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 October 1881) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1881
Local & General. (Star, 27 October 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1881
Local & General. (Star, 29 October 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1881
Looal & General. (Star, 02 November 1881) Star · 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
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
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1881
Local & General (Star, 23 December 1881) 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
31 Jan 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 January 1882) Star · 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
25 Feb 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Apr 1882
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 15 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 24 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 18S2. (Otago Daily Times, 29 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1882
TIMARU. (Thames Star, 21 July 1882) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1882
COURSING AT TIMARU. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 22 July 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1882
AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND. (Evening Post, 31 August 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 09 October 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, Nov. 7. (North Otago Times, 08 November 1882) North Otago Times · 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
28 Nov 1882
The Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 28 November 1882) Otago Daily Times · 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
20 Jan 1883
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1883
TELEGRAMS. (Colonist, 12 February 1883) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 29 March 1883) Star · 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
27 Apr 1883
News Of The Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
Evening Post. FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1883. (Evening Post, 27 April 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1883
SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Evening Post, 07 May 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1883
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1883. (West Coast Times, 31 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
6 Jul 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 06 July 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Oct 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 October 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Grey River Argus, 16 October 1883) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 26 October 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1883
The Timaru Herald MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 05 November 1883) Timaru Herald · 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
22 Nov 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 22 November 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1884
Bowling. (Star, 04 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1884
Bowling. (Star, 05 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1884
Bowling. (Star, 09 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1884
CHRISTCHURCH AUTUMN RACES. CHRISTCHURCH, April 15. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 15 April 1884) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1884
SETTLING AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 April 1884) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 07 May 1884) Auckland 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
28 Jun 1884
CRICKET. (Otago Witness, 28 June 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 18 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1884
Christchurch Hunt Club Steeplechases. (Star, 04 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 18 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
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
8 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 08 November 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 November 1884) Auckland 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
10 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 10 December 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1884
AMALGAMATED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE. (Star, 27 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 31 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1885
NEW BRIGHTON RACES. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 02 February 1885) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 03 February 1885) 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.

“The Cup”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch