How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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 Good Company”, the shelf

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

6,305 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
26 Dec 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1885) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1886
RACING IN NEW ZEALAND. (Otago Witness, 02 January 1886) Otago Witness · 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
6 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 06 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 January 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 February 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
13 Feb 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 February 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 20 February 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1886
Local & General. (Star, 22 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1886
THE Marlborough Express. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Marlborough Express, 23 February 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 February 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1886
D.J.O. AUTUMN MEETING. CUP DAY. WINNERS OF CHAMPAGNE STAKES. PEDIGREEE OP THE WINNER. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1886
COURSING. OUR TRAINING KENNELS. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1886
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 06 March 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Bruce Herald, 09 March 1886) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1886
Country Hotel Accommodation. (Te Aroha News, 13 March 1886) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1886
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 13 March 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 22 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 23 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 26 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 April 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 05 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 05 April 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
22 Apr 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 22 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1886
EAST AND WEST COAST RAILWAY. (West Coast Times, 26 April 1886) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1886
Arrest for Forgery. (Evening Post, 05 May 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 07 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1886
TURF GOSSIP. (Auckland Star, 08 May 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1886
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1886
The Daily Telegraph. SATURDAY, MAY 15, 1886. (Daily Telegraph, 15 May 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
THE SYDENHAM ELECTION, (Evening Post, 17 May 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
1 Jun 1886
MUNICIPAL. (Star, 01 June 1886) Star · 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
3 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1886
Harewood Road Steam Threshing Company. (Star, 05 June 1886) Star · 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
8 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1886
THE TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS. (Evening Post, 12 June 1886) Evening Post · 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
16 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 19 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 24 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1886
RACING IN NEW ZEALAND. NEW BRIGHTON RACES. By Rata. Christchurch, June 29. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1886
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAT, JULY 13, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
23 Jul 1886
Page 12 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 23 July 1886) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JULY 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1886
THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 28 July 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jul 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1886
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. (West Coast Times, 04 August 1886) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 06 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 09 August 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
14 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 14 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Aug 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 18 August 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · 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
26 Aug 1886
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 26 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 01 September 1886) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1886
The Belfast Chemical Manure Works. (Star, 09 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1886
Page 20 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 10 September 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 17 September 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · 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 Good Company”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch