How many records does the archive hold?

80,797 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.

“"PAPANUI"”, the shelf

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

5,715 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
15 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 15 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 January 1886) Star · 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 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 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
8 Feb 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 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
16 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1886
Drainage Board. (Star, 17 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 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 February 1886) Star · 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
1 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1886
Avon Road Board. (Star, 06 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1886
PRESBYTERIAN SUNDAY SCHOOL. (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1886
MUNICIPAL. (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Apr 1886
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 28 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 30 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1886
The Northern Line. (Star, 15 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1886
Local & General. (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 28 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 July 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1886) Daily Telegraph · 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
9 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 September 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1886
Societies, Clubs, &c. (Star, 14 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 October 1886) Star · 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
2 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
7 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 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
24 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 24 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jan 1887
Summary of Events. (Star, 10 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jan 1887
Pupil Teachers' Examination. (Star, 21 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
31 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 12 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 29 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Apr 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
17 May 1887
Local & General. (Star, 17 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 25 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1887
Christchurch District Drainage Board. (Star, 08 June 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 13 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 15 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 22 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 02 July 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 04 July 1887) Ashburton Guardian · 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.

“"PAPANUI"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch