How many records does the archive hold?

74,024 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 Colombo”, the shelf

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

7,741 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
18 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 23 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1882
The Star. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1882. (Star, 13 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 20 September 1882) Star · 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
23 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Daily Telegraph, 25 September 1882) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 26 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 01 December 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 04 December 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 05 December 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 06 December 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 07 December 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 09 December 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 22 December 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jan 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Southland Times, 01 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 January 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 10 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 10 January 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 12 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 13 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (North Otago Times, 18 January 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 23 January 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 24 January 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1883
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 02 February 1883) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 05 February 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 09 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Southland Times, 17 February 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 23 February 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 24 February 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 26 February 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 12 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 20 March 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Southland Times, 29 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 03 April 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
7 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 07 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 13 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 14 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 27 April 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 26 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1883) 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 Colombo”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch