How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“On The Spot”, the shelf

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

1,151 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
28 Jun 1884
CRICKET. (Otago Witness, 28 June 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 18 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Aug 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 15 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 26 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 18 October 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 18 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1884
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 October 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
12 Feb 1885
The Timaru Herald. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1885. (Timaru Herald, 12 February 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1885
AKAROA AND LITTLE RIVER RAILWAY. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 March 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 30 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
A Visit to the Lyttelton Batteries. (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jun 1885
CASHMERE HILLS RECREATION RESERVE. (Star, 25 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1885
FIXTURES. (Observer, 18 July 1885) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1885
FORMER EXHIBITIONS. THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION OF 1865. (Evening Post, 03 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Oct 1885
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1885
A COLONIAL ELYSIUM. (Bruce Herald, 27 October 1885) Bruce Herald · 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
17 Dec 1885
VOLUNTEER FIELD DAY. (Star, 17 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1885
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1885. (West Coast Times, 24 December 1885) West Coast Times · 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
23 Mar 1886
VERDICT OF MANSLAUGHTER. (Star, 23 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
12 May 1886
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1886) Marlborough Express · 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
22 May 1886
Local & General. (Star, 22 May 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
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 27 August 1886) Daily Telegraph · 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
3 Jan 1887
CHRISTCHURCH RIFLE CLUB. (Star, 03 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 08 February 1887) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 11 February 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Mar 1887
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 23 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 May 1887
Untitled (Auckland Star, 03 May 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 17 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1887
PASSING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 20 May 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · 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
21 Oct 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 21 October 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
18 Apr 1888
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 18 April 1888) Otago Daily Times · 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
14 Nov 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 14 November 1888) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
11 Jan 1889
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1889
Canterbury Tramway Company. (Star, 21 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 June 1889) Auckland 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
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 November 1889) New Zealand Tablet · 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
Local & General. (Star, 27 November 1889) Star · 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
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 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
9 Dec 1889
Accidents and Fatalities. (Star, 09 December 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1889
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Bush Advocate, 24 December 1889) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
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
30 Jan 1890
CANTERBURY. (Otago Witness, 30 January 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1890
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 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
12 May 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1890) Marlborough Express · 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
17 May 1890
THE LATE RAILWAY ACCIDENT. (Star, 17 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1890
CANTERBURY COLLEGE (Star, 15 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Aug 1890
GAP AND JACKET. (Observer, 30 August 1890) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1890
THE NEW ZEALANDER AT HOME. (Otago Witness, 04 September 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1890
Latest locals. (Star, 16 September 1890) Star · 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
16 Oct 1890
ALICE'S LETTER FROM CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 16 October 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 November 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · 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
30 Dec 1890
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1890) Star · 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
25 May 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1891
Local & General. (Star, 25 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 July 1891) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Sept 1891
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 14 September 1891) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places

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.

“On The Spot”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch