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.

6,476 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
18 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1886
The Magdalen Asylum. (Star, 19 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 20 February 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 22 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1886
THE CARDINAL ARCHBISHOP OP SYDNEY IN CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 26 February 1886) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (North Otago Times, 12 March 1886) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 12 March 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 19 March 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1886
CORRESPONDENCE. (Nelson Evening Mail, 02 April 1886) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, APRIL 5, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 05 April 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 09 April 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1886
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
12 Apr 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 12 April 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 22 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1886
ORDINARY MEETING. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 April 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 30 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 07 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1886
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 15 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
GREAT FLOOD IN CANTERBURY. (Colonist, 17 May 1886) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1886
THE'FLOODS IN CANTERBURY. [Bt Telegraph.] [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, 16th May. (Evening Post, 17 May 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
THE FLOODS IN CANTERBURY. CHRISTCHURCH, May 17. (Hawera & Normanby Star, 17 May 1886) Hawera & Normanby Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1886
FLOODS IN CANTERBURY. (North Otago Times, 18 May 1886) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1886
STORMS. (Auckland Star, 22 May 1886) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1886
A FLYING TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND (Otago Daily Times, 28 May 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1886
A FLYING TRIP THROUGH NEW ZEALAND. (Otago Witness, 28 May 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 01 June 1886) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 02 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 June 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 05 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 05 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 16 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 16 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 19 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 19 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 28 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 02 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1886
The Timaru Herald. TUESDAT, JULY 13, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 13 July 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Jul 1886
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1886
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. (West Coast Times, 04 August 1886) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Aug 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 06 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 09 August 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1886
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 13 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1886
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL. (Evening Post, 26 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
28 Aug 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 30 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1886
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 31 August 1886) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 01 September 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1886
ALLEGED FORGERY. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 October 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Nov 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
SENIOR CUP MATCHES. (Otago Witness, 12 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1886
The Timaru Herald. NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 27 November 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
NOTES BY BEACON (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1886
Our Volunteers. (Star, 14 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 24 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 13 January 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jan 1887
Local & General. (Star, 17 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 18 January 1887) Timaru Herald · 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