How many records does the archive hold?

61,639 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.

“Victoria Bridge”, the shelf

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

1,071 records matching 95 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 Jan 1881
The Rink and Supreme Court Panorama of Christchurch, New Zealand, from Cathedral tower · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
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
18 Jan 1881
Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. (Waikato Times, 18 January 1881) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Mar 1881
THE PROPERTY TAX RETURNS. (Evening Post, 28 March 1881) Evening Post · 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
16 May 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1881
WRECK AND TOTAL LOSS OF THE S. S. TARARUA ON THE OTARA REEF. (Otago Daily Times, 20 May 1881) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1881
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 September 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1881
Local & General. (Star, 08 November 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jan 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 January 1882) Star · 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
17 Mar 1882
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MARCH IT, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 17 March 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Apr 1882
A MISLEADING COMPARISON. (Evening Post, 14 April 1882) Evening Post · 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
25 May 1882
Local & General. (Star, 25 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
2 Jun 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
16 Jun 1882
Untitled (Clutha Leader, 16 June 1882) Clutha Leader · 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
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · 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
7 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 October 1882) Star · 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
11 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 November 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
2 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
News Of The Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
11 Jul 1883
The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 11 July 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Aug 1883
LOOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
SCINTILLATIONS (Auckland Star, 07 September 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 22 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Nov 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1884
Victoria Bridge, Christchurch N.Z. Hocken Digital Collections · no. 57803 · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1884
Victoria Bridge, Christchurch N.Z. Hocken Digital Collections · no. 58110 · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1884
Victoria Bridge, Christchurch, NZ. From the album: New Zealand Scenery by Frank Coxhead · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1884
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 01 March 1884) Auckland 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
20 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 17 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 18 July 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
20 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 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
16 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 October 1884) Star · 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
18 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
27 Oct 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · 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
13 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1884
February (Star, 31 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
23 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
20 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · 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
24 Mar 1885
Victoria bridge Christchurch bridges: plans and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Daily Telegraph, 14 May 1885) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 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
25 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 July 1885) 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.

“Victoria Bridge”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch