How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“South City Church”, the shelf

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

1,790 records matching 99 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
6 Oct 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 06 October 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1880
MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 09 October 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1880
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1880. (West Coast Times, 12 October 1880) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 29 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1881
Bank of New Zealand and Colombo Street Panorama of Christchurch, New Zealand, from Cathedral tower · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
13 Jan 1881
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 January 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jan 1881
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 1881. (Otago Daily Times, 14 January 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1881
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 25 February 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1881
LOCAL AND GKN^IAL. (Star, 25 February 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 08 April 1881) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 12 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1881
Local & General. (Star, 18 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1881
NEWS IN BRIEF. (Tuapeka Times, 25 May 1881) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1881
DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Daily Times, 17 June 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Jul 1881
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 01 July 1881) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 11 July 1881) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1881
Local & General. (Star, 16 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1881
Local & General. (Star, 29 October 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1881
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 24 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1881
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1882
Untitled (Evening Post, 16 January 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1882
Untitled (Southland Times, 19 January 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Jan 1882
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1882
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 27 January 1882) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1882
Passing Notes. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1882
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1882) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1882
OPENING OP THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 May 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 13 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jun 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1882
COLLING WOOD. (Colonist, 15 June 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1882
Untitled (Clutha Leader, 16 June 1882) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 17 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 15 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Aug 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1882. (Star, 25 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 01 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 20 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1882
LOOAL & GENEEAL. (Otago Witness, 30 September 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 October 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 09 October 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1882
Local & General. (Star, 24 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 13 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
13 Jan 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 January 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 27 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1883
Local & General. (Star, 08 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1883
The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 22 February 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 26 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 07 March 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 14 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 April 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 May 1883
SIR GEORGE GREY AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. (Evening Post, 07 May 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1883) New Zealand Tablet · 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.

“South City Church”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch