How many records does the archive hold?

66,408 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.

“"New Brighton"”, the shelf

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

3,341 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
28 Feb 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 February 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 March 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
28 Mar 1887
CHURCH PARADE. (Star, 28 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
1 Apr 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1887
Local & General. (Star, 16 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 April 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1887
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 20 June 1887) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 July 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 05 August 1887) Otago Witness · 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
23 Sept 1887
SPORTING NEWS. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1887
MOTION ITEMS. (Star, 23 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 17 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Oct 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Nov 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 10 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Dec 1887
Local & General. (Star, 21 December 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
27 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
20 Jan 1888
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 20 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
8 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1888
TO CORRESPONDENTS. (Auckland Star, 18 February 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1888
CHRISTCHURCH.��This day. (Thames Star, 20 February 1888) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1888
Local & General (Star, 12 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Apr 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 April 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 May 1888
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 25 May 1888) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1888
Local & General. (Star, 30 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
CANTERBURY DOINGS. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1888
CHRISTCHURCH. November 22. (North Otago Times, 24 November 1888) North Otago Times · 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
18 Jan 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1889
A LAD DROWNED AT NEW BRIGHTON. (Star, 23 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1889
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 25 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 11 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1889
New Brighton Pier. (Star, 13 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
28 Feb 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 28 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1889
Land Sale. (Star, 04 March 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 April 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 April 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
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1889
Christchurch Harriers. (Star, 22 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1889
OUR DEFENCES. (Star, 25 July 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1889
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 12 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1889
COMMERCIAL. (Star, 05 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 12 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 22 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (Auckland Star, 23 November 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
IN AND ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH. THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
Local & General. (Star, 27 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
The Dunedin Exhibition. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
New Brighton Pier entrance 2013 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1 Jan 1890
Horse drawn bathing huts 2013 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
20 Jan 1890
LOCAL NEWS. (Star, 20 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. February 11. (North Otago Times, 12 February 1890) North Otago Times · 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
27 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 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
8 Mar 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1890
Part 111. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1890
NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. (Grey River Argus, 16 May 1890) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 May 1890
The Volunteer Field Day. (Star, 26 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. May 26. (North Otago Times, 27 May 1890) North Otago Times · 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.

“"New Brighton"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch