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.

7,567 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
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
26 Jan 1886
UNKNOWN (Star, 26 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1886
THE SEVERED HAND. (Timaru Herald, 27 January 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1886
THE DEAD HAND PLOT. (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 January 1886) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
27 Jan 1886
THE BEARER OF THE LETTERS. (Star, 27 January 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
Fire Brigade Station. (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
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
16 Feb 1886
Ordinary Meeting. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 16 February 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Feb 1886
Drainage Board. (Star, 17 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1886
Untitled (West Coast Times, 19 February 1886) West Coast Times · 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
4 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 04 March 1886) Grey River Argus · 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
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 06 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 10 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 10 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Grey River Argus, 10 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 11 March 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 13 March 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1886
Page 28 Advertisements Column 1 (New Zealand Tablet, 19 March 1886) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Mar 1886
Little River. (Star, 19 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
2 Apr 1886
CORRESPONDENCE. (Nelson Evening Mail, 02 April 1886) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 14 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
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 Northern Line. (Star, 15 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 15 May 1886) Timaru Herald · 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
Christchurch Afloat. (Southland Times, 17 May 1886) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1886
GREAT FLOOD IN CANTERBURY. (Colonist, 17 May 1886) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1886
HEAVY GALE AT WELLINGTON. (Timaru Herald, 17 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
18 May 1886
The Floods. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 May 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 May 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
STORMS. (Auckland Star, 22 May 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 02 June 1886) Timaru Herald · 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
4 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 June 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 05 June 1886) Timaru Herald · 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
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 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 16 June 1886) Timaru Herald · 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
19 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 19 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 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
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 25 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · 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
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
26 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
28 Jul 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 28 July 1886) Star · 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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Aug 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
12 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 August 1886) Star · 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
20 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1886) Star · 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

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