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.

“The Piano”, the shelf

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

1,859 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
5 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Auckland Star, 05 November 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 15 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 17 December 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 26 December 1888) Star · 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
28 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
THE GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL. (Evening Post, 12 April 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 5 places
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
21 May 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 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
29 Jun 1889
The Social World. (Observer, 29 June 1889) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 17 July 1889) Otago Daily Times · 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
4 Sept 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 September 1889) 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
23 Sept 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 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
27 Sept 1889
A RAILWAY TIMBER GEIEVANCE. (Evening Post, 27 September 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1889
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (North Otago Times, 15 November 1889) North Otago 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
the 1890s
2 Jan 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1890
LOCAL NEWS. (Star, 20 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 07 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
THE COLLEGE AND GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 22 March 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Apr 1890
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 1890. (West Coast Times, 09 April 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 14 April 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
5 Jul 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Ashburton Guardian, 05 July 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1890
Local & General. (Star, 08 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Oct 1890
TELEGRAMS (Southland Times, 07 October 1890) Southland Times · 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
17 Oct 1890
Latest locals. (Star, 17 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1891
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 20 February 1891) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 February 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 04 March 1891) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1891
Local & General. (Star, 13 March 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
1 Apr 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1891) Star · 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
27 Apr 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Marlborough Express, 27 April 1891) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1891
STATION ACCOMMODATION. (Evening Post, 09 July 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
17 Oct 1891
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 17 October 1891) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1891
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 October 1891) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Nov 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 09 November 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Inangahua Times, 19 November 1891) Inangahua Times · 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
4 Dec 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 04 December 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1891
CHRISTMASTIDE. (Star, 26 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Mar 1892
Evenig Post. SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1892. HUMILITY IN HOUSE BUILDING. (Evening Post, 05 March 1892) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
21 Apr 1892
ECCLESIASTICAL. (Auckland Star, 21 April 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1892
Latest Locals. (Star, 28 April 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 May 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1892
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1892. (Otago Daily Times, 31 May 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jun 1892
Local & General. (Star, 24 June 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1892
Local & General. (Star, 18 July 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1892
NOTES BY FORWARD. (Otago Witness, 01 September 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 23 September 1892) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Oct 1892
Local & General. (Star, 12 October 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1892
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1892) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1892
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1892. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1892) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Nov 1892
Local & General. (Star, 25 November 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Nov 1892
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 November 1892) Star · 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
21 Dec 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1892
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 December 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1893
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN STATE SCHOOLS. (Auckland Star, 13 January 1893) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 January 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1893
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 January 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1893
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 March 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 April 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1893
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1893
Local & General. (Star, 23 May 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jun 1893
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1893
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 June 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1893
Local & General. (Star, 21 July 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1893
Local & General (Star, 24 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 02 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1893
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1893
Local & General. (Star, 02 November 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 November 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1893
ELECTION NOTES. (Otago Daily Times, 22 November 1893) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
1 Dec 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 December 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 December 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 08 December 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1893
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 December 1893) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1893
Local & General. (Star, 22 December 1893) 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 Piano”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch