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.

“"Papanui Road"”, the shelf

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

1,496 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
16 May 1881
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 May 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1881
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1881
PUBLIC MEETING AT ST ALBANS. (Star, 20 June 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1881
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 July 1881) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 11 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1882
Local & General. (Star, 12 January 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1882. (Star, 24 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
5 Jun 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 January 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · 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
4 Jan 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 25 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Feb 1884
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 26 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Mar 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1884
SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS. (Star, 11 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
Polling Places for Canterbury. (Star, 18 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 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
4 Dec 1884
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 04 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
26 Dec 1884
THE LATE MR T. S. DUNCAN. (Star, 26 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1885
Road Boards. (Star, 27 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 August 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 January 1886) 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
12 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1886
MUNICIPAL. (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 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
23 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (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
5 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
17 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 January 1887) 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.

“"Papanui Road"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch