How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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 Common”, the shelf

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

963 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
1 Jun 1883
Untitled (Wanganui Herald, 01 June 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Jul 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 06 July 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Aug 1883
LOOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1883
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 08 September 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
20 Oct 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 20 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1883
The Akaroa Mail FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1883. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 27 November 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 November 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 11 December 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 15 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1884
PUPIL TEACHERS EXAMINATION. (Star, 27 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1884
The "Lyttelton Times" Company's New Buildings. (Star, 15 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Mar 1884
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 26 March 1884) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jul 1884
CRIMINAL SESSIONS IN THE SOUTH. (Auckland Star, 07 July 1884) Auckland Star · 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
5 Sept 1884
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 05 September 1884) New Zealand Tablet · 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
26 Sept 1884
Untitled (Wanganui Herald, 26 September 1884) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1884
THE DEFENCES OF THE COLONY. (Otago Daily Times, 06 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · 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 Nov 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1885
Local & General. (Star, 14 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jan 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1885
SPORTING HEWS. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1885
The Bruce Herald. " Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, MARCH 20, 1885. (Bruce Herald, 20 March 1885) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
17 Aug 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Poverty Bay Herald, 17 August 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · 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
24 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1885
Christchurch Races. [BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Friday. (Waikato Times, 07 November 1885) Waikato Times · 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
27 Feb 1886
D.J.O. AUTUMN MEETING. CUP DAY. WINNERS OF CHAMPAGNE STAKES. PEDIGREEE OP THE WINNER. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1886) Otago Witness · 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
28 Apr 1886
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 28 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1886
THE TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS. (Evening Post, 12 June 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1886
THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 28 July 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1886
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 20 August 1886) Evening Post · 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
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1886
MINING. (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 29 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
30 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1887
Untitled (Southland Times, 20 January 1887) Southland Times · 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
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
29 Apr 1887
West Coast Times FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 1887. (West Coast Times, 29 April 1887) West Coast Times · 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
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
22 Nov 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 November 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
27 Jan 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 January 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1888
SANE PEOPLE IN THE ASYLUM. (Auckland Star, 01 February 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 February 1888) Star · 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
23 Feb 1888
Local & General. (Star, 23 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1888
THE VOLUNTEER ENCAMPMENT. (Star, 03 April 1888) Star · 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
29 May 1888
AKAROA COUNTY COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 May 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1888
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Bush Advocate, 12 June 1888) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 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
11 Aug 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Aug 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 16 August 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1888
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 18SS. (Otago Daily Times, 13 September 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1888
INTERPROVINCIAL (West Coast Times, 23 October 1888) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Nov 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1888
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 12 December 1888) Inangahua Times · 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
2 Feb 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1889
WESLEYAN CONFERENCE. (Otago Daily Times, 20 February 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1889
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12, 1889. (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 June 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 August 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1889
Local &.General. (Star, 20 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
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
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
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 January 1890) 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
19 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 February 1890) Star · 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 Common”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch