How many records does the archive hold?

69,585 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 Station”, the shelf

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

7,449 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
21 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1885
City Council. (Star, 21 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 21 April 1885) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1885
UNITED BANDS DEMONSTRATION. (Star, 24 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 24 April 1885) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 28 April 1885) Nelson Evening Mail · 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 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 30 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
1 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1885
BLENHEIM. (North Otago Times, 04 May 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1885
Local & General. (Star, 07 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Lincoln-Little River Railway. (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 May 1885) 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
13 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1885
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 15 May 1885) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1885
THE BATTLE OF LYTTELTON. (Star, 26 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 May 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 13 June 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1885) Star · 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
6 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 08 July 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 10 July 1885) Timaru Herald · 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
14 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 14 July 1885) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
THE PAY IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. (Evening Post, 21 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 28 July 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
11 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 31 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 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
17 Oct 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 17 October 1885) Hawke's Bay Herald · 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
24 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 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 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
7 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 November 1885) Star · 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
12 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 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
24 Nov 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Nov 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 December 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
5 Dec 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 05 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1885
CRICKET. (Star, 10 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1885
Fire at Sydenham. (Star, 12 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
17 Dec 1885
VOLUNTEER FIELD DAY. (Star, 17 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Dec 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 19 December 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1885
published daily.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1885, THE RIVALS. (Wanganui Herald, 21 December 1885) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 December 1885) Star · 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
9 Jan 1886
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 January 1886) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jan 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 09 January 1886) Grey River Argus · 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
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
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
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 19 January 1886) Southland Times · 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
26 Jan 1886
ONE OF THE FISHING PARTY. (Star, 26 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places

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 Station”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch