How many records does the archive hold?

70,536 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 National”, the shelf

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

3,388 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
19 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 19 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Grey River Argus, 01 December 1884) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 04 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1884
Latest Locals (Star, 29 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1884
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1885
Local & General. (Star, 14 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 05 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
21 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 13 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 14 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1885
SPORTING HEWS. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1885
LATEST MARKETS. (Taranaki Herald, 14 March 1885) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Mar 1885
Fires. (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 18 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
Untitled (Auckland Star, 19 March 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 20 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 21 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Nelson Evening Mail, 21 March 1885) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 25 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1885
UNITED BANDS DEMONSTRATION. (Star, 24 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Marlborough Express, 25 April 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1885
The Volunteers. (Star, 27 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 30 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1885
Local & General. (Star, 06 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1885
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 30 June 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 23 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Aug 1885
FORMER EXHIBITIONS. THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION OF 1865. (Evening Post, 03 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Aug 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 05 September 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 28 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 05 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Oct 1885
FIRES IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 26 October 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Timaru Herald, 29 October 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1886
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 January 1886) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1886
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 19 January 1886) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1886
Page 16 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Witness, 06 February 1886) Otago Witness · 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 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · 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
12 May 1886
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1886
Page 6 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 14 May 1886) New Zealand Tablet · 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
21 May 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 May 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1886) Timaru Herald · 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
2 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 02 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · 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
12 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · 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
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
21 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 21 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 22 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 24 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 25 June 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1886
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 16 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 22 July 1886) Thames 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
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
10 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 August 1886) Otago Daily Times · 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
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
10 Sept 1886
Page 20 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Witness, 10 September 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOLS. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 September 1886) New Zealand Tablet · 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
1 Oct 1886
SPORTING NEWS. The following are the weights for the TAPANUI HANDICAP. NEW ZEALAND OUP. SPRING HANDICAP. PARK STAKES HANDICAP. OTAHUHU RACES. MAIDEN PLATE. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES. CHRISTCHURCH BETTING.-Wednesday. SPORTING NOTES FROM NEW SOUTH WALES. (Otago Witness, 01 October 1886) Otago Witness · 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
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
18 Nov 1886
The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. (Waikato Times, 18 November 1886) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
NEW SOUTH WALES SPORTING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 21 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1887
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 January 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Feb 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 February 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.

“The National”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch