How many records does the archive hold?

75,149 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 Colombo”, the shelf

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

7,906 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
25 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 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 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 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
27 Jan 1886
THE BEARER OF THE LETTERS. (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 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 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
23 Feb 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 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
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
5 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 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
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
5 Apr 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 05 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 22 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
7 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
Local & General. (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1886
LICENSING COURT. (Star, 01 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1886
MUNICIPAL. (Star, 01 June 1886) Star · 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 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
11 Jun 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 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 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 June 1886) Star · 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
25 Jun 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jun 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 June 1886) Star · 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
16 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
27 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 27 July 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 August 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 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · 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
14 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1886) Star · 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
27 Aug 1886
Page 4 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
28 Aug 1886
THE "CANTERBURY TIMES" (Star, 28 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 28 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 30 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1886
THE "CANTERBURY TIMES" (Star, 03 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 06 September 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
The Star. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1886. THE NEW BRIGHTON TRAMWAY. (Star, 10 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1886
Cycling. (Star, 15 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1886
FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Friday. (Waikato Times, 25 September 1886) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 29 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
20 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 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
23 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (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
29 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 29 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 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
20 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 20 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 November 1886) Star · 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 Colombo”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch