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.

“The George”, the shelf

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

9,308 records matching 97 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
9 Dec 1889
TELEGRAMS (Colonist, 09 December 1889) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Dec 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 December 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1889
Evening Post. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1889. 1889. (Evening Post, 31 December 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1890
The Octagon, Dunedin by Burton Brothers; Muir & Moodie · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1890
Mary Woods Rutledge by Eden George Co. Ltd. · Photography · Te Papa Collections Online · Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
1890
Photograph, Captain William Stevens and Frances Emma Stevens by Gerstenkorn, Karl Andreas · NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
10 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1890
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1890. (Auckland Star, 20 January 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1890
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 21 January 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 January 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1890
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. (Star, 24 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1890
Scholarship Examinations. (Star, 24 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Otago Daily Times, 25 January 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1890
Local News. (Star, 28 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1890
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 11 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
18 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 18 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 19 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1890
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 21 February 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 25 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
1 Mar 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1890
NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. (Grey River Argus, 01 March 1890) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Mar 1890
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 03 March 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 05 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1890
TELEGRAMS. (Inangahua Times, 05 March 1890) Inangahua Times · 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
10 Mar 1890
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, March 8. (North Otago Times, 10 March 1890) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1890
BITS OP TURF. (Auckland Star, 15 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1890
EXHIBITION BAND CONTEST (Taranaki Herald, 18 March 1890) Taranaki Herald · 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
21 Mar 1890
MARRIAGES (Evening Post, 21 March 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Peninsula News. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 01 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Apr 1890
Sweating Commission at Auckland (Poverty Bay Herald, 01 April 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 01 April 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 09 April 1890) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 14 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 25 April 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 April 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 01 May 1890) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1890) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1890
RUGBY MATCHES. (Star, 12 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Ashburton Guardian, 20 May 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 May 1890
BOARD OP EDUCATION (Star, 29 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 29 May 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jun 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 June 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jun 1890
Sydney Championship Meeting. (Observer, 07 June 1890) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 11 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 13 June 1890) 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
14 Jun 1890
Tuapeka Times. AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, JUNE 14,1890. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." (Tuapeka Times, 14 June 1890) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jun 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 14 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jun 1890
RUGBY MATCHES. (Star, 16 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1890
TO CORRESPONDENTS. (Auckland Star, 18 June 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1890
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 02 July 1890) Marlborough Express · 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
7 Jul 1890
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 07 July 1890) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1890
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES TUESDAY, JULY 8, 1890. (Otago Daily Times, 08 July 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1890
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1890
NEW BRIGHTON IMPROVEMENTS. (Star, 12 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1890
CANTERBURY COLLEGE (Star, 15 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 July 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (West Coast Times, 21 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1890
District and General. (Bush Advocate, 26 July 1890) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1890
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1890. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1890
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 31 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1890
PERSONALITIES. (Observer, 02 August 1890) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 25 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Ashburton Guardian, 26 August 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1890
GAP AND JACKET. (Observer, 30 August 1890) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 01 September 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 02 September 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1890
BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. (Otago Daily Times, 03 September 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1890
Christchurch. (Star, 04 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1890
Registrars of Electors. (Star, 05 September 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 George”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch