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.

“Christchurch Town Hall”, the shelf

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

5,650 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
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Mar 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1885
Local & General. (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1885
SPORTING HEWS. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
Untitled (Auckland Star, 19 March 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 March 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
7 Apr 1885
Gospel Temperance. (Star, 07 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1885
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1885. (West Coast Times, 15 April 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
The Volunteers. (Star, 27 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 30 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 May 1885) Star · 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
2 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 12 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1885
AUSTRALIAN NEWS. (Timaru Herald, 18 June 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1885
Untitled (Thames Star, 19 June 1885) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1885
Peninsula News (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
1 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1885
Local and General. (Star, 04 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 04 July 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1885
School Committees. (Star, 07 July 1885) Star · 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
13 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 15 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 July 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 21 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 27 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 27 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 01 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
6 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 06 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 August 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
28 Aug 1885
FOOTBALL. (Evening Post, 28 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 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
30 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1885
Local & General. (Star, 02 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 13 October 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
14 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 14 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 October 1885) Star · 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
21 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 October 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 28 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 29 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 October 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1885
Local & General. (Star, 30 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 31 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 November 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 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
16 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1885
Local & General. (Star, 21 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 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
11 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 December 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
14 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
28 Dec 1885
Volunteer Prize Firm?. (Star, 28 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“Christchurch Town Hall”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch