How many records does the archive hold?

66,408 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.

“City Care”, the shelf

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

1,150 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
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · 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
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
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · 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
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
28 Apr 1886
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 28 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
MISCELLANEOUS. (Auckland Star, 22 May 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1886
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. (Evening Post, 24 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · 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
8 Oct 1886
MINING. (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1887
The N.Z. Rifle Association. (Star, 25 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1887
The Timaru Herald. SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 12 March 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 07 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 21 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 August 1887) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1887
THE OTAGO TOUR OF 1887. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1887
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1887
West Coast Times. MONDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1887. (West Coast Times, 17 October 1887) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1887
Hawke's Bay Herald. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26; 1887. AN EXTRAORDINARY STRIKE. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 26 October 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1887
Local & Genera (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1888
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1888
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1888. (West Coast Times, 17 April 1888) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1888
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 18 April 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 28 November 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Dec 1888
Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1888. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." GOOD ADVICE. Local and General Intelligence. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1888) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland 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
13 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
9 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 09 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Bruce Herald, 23 July 1889) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1889
ST. JOHN'S PARISH. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 July 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 July 1889) Auckland 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
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
22 Nov 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 November 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
20 Jan 1890
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1890. (Auckland Star, 20 January 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 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
26 May 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 26 May 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 June 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jun 1890
SABBATH OBSERVANCE. (Auckland Star, 07 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1890
Local & General. (Star, 25 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
18 Dec 1890
OUT AND ABOUT. THE SCENIC BEAUTIES AROUND CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 18 December 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1891
LOCAL AND GNEERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 26 March 1891) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 05 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1891
LICENSING MEETINGS. (Auckland Star, 18 June 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 01 August 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 August 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1891
The Daily Telegraph. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1891. (Daily Telegraph, 16 September 1891) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Oct 1891
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. GISBORNE, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1801. (Poverty Bay Herald, 10 October 1891) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
10 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1892
Evening Post. SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1992. (Evening Post, 09 April 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Nelson Evening Mail, 03 May 1892) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1892
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 May 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 05 May 1892) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 06 May 1892) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1892
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1892
Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 1892. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 21 June 1892) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1892
BY MAZEPPA. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1892
Local & General. (Star, 27 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Aug 1892
ARTHUR STREET SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 August 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Nov 1892
LONDON. (Tuapeka Times, 23 November 1892) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1892
Christchurch Notes. (Clutha Leader, 25 November 1892) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1892
OMNIUM GATHERUM. (Otago Daily Times, 12 December 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
29 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 10 February 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 May 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 09 May 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 May 1893) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1893
Page 7 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1893
Local & General. (Star, 10 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Oct 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1893
Page 8 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 October 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1893
Local & General. (Star, 24 November 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 14 December 1893) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1894
Evening Post. FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1894. (Evening Post, 26 January 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“City Care”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch