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.

“Top In Town”, the shelf

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

902 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
3 Apr 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 April 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 April 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 April 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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
25 Aug 1883
LOOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Nelson Evening Mail, 12 September 1883) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1883
The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1883. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 November 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 27 December 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1884
SPORTING (Otago Daily Times, 12 January 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 15 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · 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
30 Apr 1884
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 30 April 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1884
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 30 April 1884) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Sept 1884
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 05 September 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Untitled (Wanganui Herald, 26 September 1884) Wanganui Herald · 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
24 Oct 1884
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 October 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
14 Jan 1885
Local & General. (Star, 14 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
14 Mar 1885
SPORTING HEWS. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · 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
25 Jun 1885
CASHMERE HILLS RECREATION RESERVE. (Star, 25 June 1885) Star · 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
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
13 Oct 1885
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 November 1885) Star · 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
10 Dec 1885
CRICKET. (Star, 10 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
16 Feb 1886
Ordinary Meeting. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 February 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1886
The Floods. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 May 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1886
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 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
1 Oct 1886
SPORTING NEWS. The following are the weights for the TAPANUI HANDICAP. NEW ZEALAND OUP. SPRING HANDICAP. PARK STAKES HANDICAP. OTAHUHU RACES. MAIDEN PLATE. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES. CHRISTCHURCH BETTING.-Wednesday. SPORTING NOTES FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
MINING. (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 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
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · 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
31 Jan 1887
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 January 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1887
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1887. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 March 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 04 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1887
West Coast Times FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1887. (West Coast Times, 29 April 1887) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1887
MAGISTERIAL, (Star, 09 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
5 Jul 1887
THE NEW ELECTORATES. (Timaru Herald, 05 July 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1887
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1887
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Otago Witness, 02 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1887
THE OTAGO TOUR OF 1887. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Oct 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 21 October 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 04 November 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 26 November 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1887
OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW. (Otago Witness, 02 December 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 05 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1888
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 October 1888) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1888
UNKNOWN. (Auckland Star, 20 October 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · 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
28 Dec 1888
Christchurch. (Star, 28 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 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
6 Jun 1889
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (West Coast Times, 06 June 1889) West Coast Times · 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
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
22 Oct 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 November 1889) Auckland Star · 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
27 Nov 1889
IN AND ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH. THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1889
THE OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1889) Otago Witness · 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
25 Jan 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 February 1890) Star · 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
9 Apr 1890
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1890. (West Coast Times, 09 April 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Apr 1890
Part 111. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 June 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1890
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1890. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 31 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1890
OUT AND ABOUT. THE SCENIC BEAUTIES AROUND CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 18 December 1890) 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.

“Top In Town”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch