How many records does the archive hold?

71,563 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.

7,738 records matching 98 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
13 Aug 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 August 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 23 August 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1889
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 28 August 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
2 Sept 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Southland Times, 02 September 1889) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
MOUNT SOMERS. (Star, 10 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1889
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 23 September 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
31 Oct 1889
Page 19 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Witness, 31 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 08 November 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Nov 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (North Otago Times, 15 November 1889) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 26 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · 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
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 29 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
29 Nov 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1889
THE OTAGO A. & P. SOCIETY'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Otago Witness, 05 December 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Dec 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 December 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1889
TELEGRAMS (Colonist, 09 December 1889) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1889
A TRIP TO THE EXHIBITION (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 December 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
Lyttelton Timeball Station 2013 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Photograph, Captain William Stevens and Frances Emma Stevens by Gerstenkorn, Karl Andreas · NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
10 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 January 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 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
29 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 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
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1890
Page 27 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Witness, 06 February 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 18 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1890
TELEGRAMS (Southland Times, 28 February 1890) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1890
NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. (Grey River Argus, 01 March 1890) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 01 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 07 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Apr 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Sweating Commission at Auckland (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 April 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 01 April 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1890
Christchurch Volunteer Fire Brigade. (Star, 03 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1890
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 05 April 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Apr 1890
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1890. (West Coast Times, 09 April 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 22 April 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Apr 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 25 April 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 30 April 1890) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 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
16 May 1890
NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. (Grey River Argus, 16 May 1890) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1890
THE LATE RAILWAY ACCIDENT. (Star, 17 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
12 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1890
Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JUNE 14,1890. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." (Tuapeka Times, 14 June 1890) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 July 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 28 July 1890) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1890
Local & General. (Star, 08 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1890
Page 5 Advertisements Column 3 (Mataura Ensign, 08 August 1890) Mataura Ensign · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Evening Post, 15 August 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 15 August 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1890
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 03 September 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1890
Magisterial Proceedings. (Star, 15 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 19 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · 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
25 Sept 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 25 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1890
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 02 October 1890) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1890
ALICE'S LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 16 October 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1890
Latest locals. (Star, 17 October 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
25 Nov 1890
Page 8 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 25 November 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1890
Looal & General. (Star, 26 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 01 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1890
FERGUSON'S PATENT PIPE. (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Dec 1890
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1890 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 December 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Dec 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 January 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1891
THE INFANTICIDE CASE. (Star, 16 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1891
SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS. (Auckland Star, 24 January 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 28 January 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1891
Local & General. (Star, 30 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1891
THE BISHOP OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 17 February 1891) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1891
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 03 March 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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