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.

5,737 records matching 96 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
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
14 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 20 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jul 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1887
ELECTION NEWS. (Star, 30 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 31 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1887
1.0.0.P., M.U. (Star, 09 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1887
Diocesan Choral Association (Star, 28 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1887
CYCLING. (Star, 24 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 November 1887) Star · 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
15 Nov 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1888
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 20 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
21 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1888
MAGISTERIAL.. (Star, 20 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1888
THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT. (Star, 03 April 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 April 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1888
Education Board's Scholarships. (Star, 04 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 25 May 1888) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 26 May 1888) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 29 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1888
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 01 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1888
POLICE COURT. (Star, 29 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Nov 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 13 November 1888) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 01 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1889
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 25 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 Feb 1889
School of Art. (Star, 18 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1889
Papanui Saleyards. (Star, 19 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1889
Canterbury Tramway Company. (Star, 21 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1889
The Oddfellows. (Star, 15 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1889
Local & General. (Star, 20 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1889
Local & General. (Star, 21 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1889
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 30 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1889
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 12 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1889
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 24 April 1889) 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
11 Jun 1889
POLICE COURT. (Star, 11 June 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 22 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
Diocesan Choral Festival. (Star, 22 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
31 Dec 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 December 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1890
St Paul's Church, Papanui, Christchurch Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries · about 2 places
1890
St Paul’s bell ringers 2022 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1890
FBC Hookham 2019 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
20 Jan 1890
LOCAL NEWS. (Star, 20 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1890
Scholarship Examinations. (Star, 24 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Daily Times, 28 January 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1890
Canterbury College. (Star, 25 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1890
MARRIAGES (Evening Post, 21 March 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1890
FREEMASONRY. (Star, 28 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1890
WEST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1890
CHRISTCHURCH PRESBYTERY. (Star, 14 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1890
NOTES ON A CHRISTCHURCH TRIP. (Otago Witness, 15 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 May 1890
FARMER'S UNION. (Auckland Star, 17 May 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jun 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1890
SABBATH OBSERVANCE. (Auckland Star, 07 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 07 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1890
THE NEW ZEALANDER AT HOME. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1890
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Poverty Bay Herald, 18 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 Sept 1890
CHRISTCHURCH.- Last night. (Thames Star, 18 September 1890) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1890
Local & General, (Star, 20 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Oct 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1890
Latest locals. (Star, 15 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1890
Peacocks and boundary drain Christchurch Drainage Board, plans, maps and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries

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