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.

“"Lichfield Street"”, the shelf

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

1,443 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 Jul 1884
Polling Places for Canterbury. (Star, 18 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 July 1884) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 21 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 21 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 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
25 Oct 1884
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 25 October 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 October 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
2 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 11 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1885
J. T. Smith & Co. — Toomer Bro.'s Boot Manufactory, Lichfield Street, Christchurch by M. Mosley · Matapihi · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Victoria University of Wellington
19 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (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
28 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 March 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
CHRISTCHURCH FIRE BRIGADE. (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1885
City Council. (Star, 21 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 May 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
13 May 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 17 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1885
Christchurch Horticultural Society. (Star, 08 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 25 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1886
Fire Brigade Station. (Star, 06 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 May 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 10 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Sept 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
4 Feb 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 March 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jun 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Ashburton Guardian, 15 June 1887) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jul 1887
Christchurch. (Star, 20 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1887
ELECTION NEWS. (Star, 30 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1887
Local & General. (Star, 21 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1887
Local & Genera (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
12 Mar 1888
Local & General (Star, 12 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Nov 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 10 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1888
Local & General. (Star, 20 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 15 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Mar 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1889
POLICE COURT. (Star, 11 June 1889) 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.

“"Lichfield Street"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch