How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“Canterbury House”, the shelf

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

6,398 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
18 Nov 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1882
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21. 1882. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 November 1882) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 22 November 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1882
The Otago Daily Times. (Otago Daily Times, 28 November 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 28 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1882
THE COLONIST. PUBLISHED DAILY. NELSON, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1882. CHEESE AND BUTTER FACTORY. PUBLIC MEETING AT RICHMOND. (Colonist, 30 November 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 30 November 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 01 December 1882) Timaru Herald · 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
19 Dec 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 19 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
20 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 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
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1883
Isabel Baker's home in Christchurch Hocken Digital Collections · Hocken Collections - Uare Taoka o Hākena, University of Otago; University of Otago
1 Jan 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Southland Times, 01 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1883
NEW ZEALAND. (Nelson Evening Mail, 03 January 1883) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 06 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 08 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 10 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 10 January 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 12 January 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 23 January 1883) North Otago Times · 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
30 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 30 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 05 February 1883) Southland Times · 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
9 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 09 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1883
TELEGRAMS. (Colonist, 12 February 1883) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH, Last Night. (Waikato Times, 13 February 1883) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
19 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 23 February 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 24 February 1883) Southland 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
26 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 26 February 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (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
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 09 March 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 12 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 12 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 16 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (North Otago Times, 20 March 1883) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Southland Times, 21 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Southland Times, 22 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1883
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. (Timaru Herald, 22 March 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 8 (Southland Times, 29 March 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 March 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 03 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 06 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 07 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 April 1883) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 10 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1883
NEW ZEALAND. (Nelson Evening Mail, 12 April 1883) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 13 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
RAMBLES ROUND THE WORLD.—VIII. (Auckland Star, 14 April 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1883
FIRES IN CANTERBURY. (Daily Telegraph, 23 April 1883) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 26 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
5 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1883
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, MAY 7, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 07 May 1883) Timaru 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
10 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 11 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 May 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 19 May 1883) Star · 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
2 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 June 1883) Wanganui Chronicle · 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
15 Jun 1883
Wanganui Herald. (PUBLISHED DAILY). FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 1883. THE SPEECH. (Wanganui Herald, 15 June 1883) Wanganui Herald · 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
22 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
6 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1883
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 11 July 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jul 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 12 July 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Jul 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 31 July 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 August 1883) 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.

“Canterbury House”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch