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.

“North Beach”, the shelf

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

1,534 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
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
27 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Oct 1886
SPORTING NEWS. The following are the weights for the TAPANUI HANDICAP. NEW ZEALAND OUP. SPRING HANDICAP. PARK STAKES HANDICAP. OTAHUHU RACES. MAIDEN PLATE. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES. CHRISTCHURCH BETTING.-Wednesday. SPORTING NOTES FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · 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
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
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · 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
25 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 December 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 12 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 13 April 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 21 July 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Aug 1887
ACCIDENTS AND OFFENCES. (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 21 October 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 02 November 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
19 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
9 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1888
Page 20 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Witness, 10 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1888
THE HUTT RAILWAY. (Evening Post, 02 April 1888) Evening Post · 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
10 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1888
Local & General. (Star, 30 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 12 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Sept 1888
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 September 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1889
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 04 January 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 05 January 1889) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1889
TRIP TO TEE CHATHAM ISLANDS. (Bush Advocate, 22 January 1889) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1889
SHIPPING, (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 11 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1889
HOME AND FOREIGN. (Bush Advocate, 21 February 1889) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1889
STORIES OF THE BAYS. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 November 1889) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
25 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 25 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
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
29 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 17 February 1890) 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
26 May 1890
The Volunteer Field Day. (Star, 26 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1890
BOARD OF EDUCATION. (Star, 20 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Sept 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 02 September 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 September 1890) Otago Witness · 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
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
24 Jan 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 24 January 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jan 1891
SUMMARY FOR HOME READERS. (Auckland Star, 24 January 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 27 January 1891) Ashburton Guardian · 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
31 Jan 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 31 January 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 02 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 06 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 24 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 25 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 28 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1891
CRICKET. (Auckland Star, 07 March 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1891
FATAL BATHING ACCIDENT. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, March 9. (North Otago Times, 10 March 1891) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 12 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1891
Railway Time-Table (Ashburton Guardian, 21 March 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1891
Untitled (Star, 07 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 23 June 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Oct 1891
REPRESENTATION; (Star, 15 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 27 November 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1892
CHRISTCHURCH to DUNEDIN—(Week-Days)—continued. (Ashburton Guardian, 09 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1892
Railway Time-Table. (Ashburton Guardian, 25 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1892
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 29 January 1892) Ashburton Guardian · 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.

“North Beach”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch