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.

“The Piano”, the shelf

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

1,824 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
24 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
16 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 May 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
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1885
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 21 July 1885) Star · 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
Local & General. (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 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
5 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1886) Star · 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
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
10 Apr 1886
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 10 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
2 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 02 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 05 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 19 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 30 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1886) Otago Daily 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
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 November 1886) Star · 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
30 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
12 Apr 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 April 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Apr 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 April 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 21 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1887
Local & General. (Star, 01 August 1887) Star · 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
29 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 07 November 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 November 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 24 December 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 31 December 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
23 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 January 1888) Star · 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
19 Oct 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 05 November 1888) Auckland Star · 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
17 Dec 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 17 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 26 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 February 1889) Star · 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
20 Apr 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 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

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 Piano”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch