How many records does the archive hold?

79,613 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 Free Theatre”, the shelf

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

860 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
13 Feb 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 13 February 1885) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 May 1885
Local & General. (Star, 06 May 1885) Star · 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
23 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 23 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1885
FORMER EXHIBITIONS. THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION OF 1865. (Evening Post, 03 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · 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
5 Jan 1886
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Apr 1886
CORRESPONDENCE. (Nelson Evening Mail, 02 April 1886) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 14 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
28 May 1886
A FLYING TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND (Otago Daily Times, 28 May 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1886
A FLYING TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND. (Otago Witness, 28 May 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1886
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 13 November 1886) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1887
The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 26 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 06 August 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Aug 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1887
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 01 September 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1888
THE DAILY OTAGO TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 12 January 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1888
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 14 February 1888) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1888
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 18 April 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1888
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 18SS. (Otago Daily Times, 13 September 1888) Otago Daily Times · 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
15 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 15 December 1888) Star · 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
6 Feb 1889
SHIPPING, (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL. (Evening Post, 12 April 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
14 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jul 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 17 July 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 August 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1889
THE LONDON STRIKE. (Poverty Bay Herald, 31 August 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1889
Local &.General. (Star, 20 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
25 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 25 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1889
A TRIP TO THE EXHIBITION (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 December 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
24 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 17 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 14 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1890
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 18 November 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1890
FERGUSON'S PATENT PIPE. (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
24 Dec 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 May 1891
A Latest Locals. (Star, 23 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 06 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 01 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
28 Aug 1891
Local & General. (Star, 28 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1891
Latest.Locals. (Star, 29 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
5 Oct 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1891
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 17 October 1891) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Inangahua Times, 19 November 1891) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 12 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1892
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1892
TOWN & COUNTRY (Timaru Herald, 01 March 1892) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1892
Local & General. (Star, 11 March 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1892
Latest Local. (Star, 29 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1892
Local & General. (Star, 01 August 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 05 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 09 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 30 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1893
Local & General. (Star, 21 February 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1893
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 13 April 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1893
Local & General. (Star, 23 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jun 1893
Local & General. (Star, 23 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1893
Local & General. (Star, 03 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 24 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1893
Local & General. (Star, 14 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 02 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1893
POLITICAL NOTES. (Otago Daily Times, 30 September 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1893
ELECTORAL. (Star, 20 November 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1893
Christchurch. (Star, 28 November 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1893
Local & General. (Star, 16 December 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1893
Local & General. (Star, 22 December 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1893
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1893. 1893. (Evening Post, 30 December 1893) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1894
Local & General. (Star, 31 January 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1894
West Coast Times. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1894. (West Coast Times, 23 February 1894) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1894
Local & General. (Star, 24 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1894
Local & General. (Star, 03 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1894
Local & General. (Star, 10 March 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1894
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 April 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1894
Evening Post. SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 1894. THE TREASURER AT OAMARU. (Evening Post, 16 June 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 21 June 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 10 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 20 July 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Oct 1894
Evening Post. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1894. CONSOLS IN THE COUNCIL. (Evening Post, 04 October 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1894
THE SAMOAN FARCE. (Evening Post, 20 November 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1894
Local & General. (Star, 23 November 1894) Star · 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 Free Theatre”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch