How many records does the archive hold?

63,896 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.

“Victoria Bridge”, the shelf

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

1,071 records matching 95 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 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
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
24 Sept 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 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
1 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 October 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
8 Oct 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 08 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 November 1885) Star · 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
13 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 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
27 Feb 1886
D.J.O. AUTUMN MEETING. CUP DAY. WINNERS OF CHAMPAGNE STAKES. PEDIGREEE OP THE WINNER. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 30 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
MINING. (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · 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
23 Mar 1887
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 23 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 May 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1887
THE QUEEN'S JUBILEE. (Otago Daily Times, 22 June 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1887
THE NEW ELECTORATES. (Timaru Herald, 05 July 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jul 1887
Christchurch. (Star, 20 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
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 14 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1887
Marlborough Express. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1887. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 04 October 1887) Marlborough Express · 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
17 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
Local & General. (Star, 13 July 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1888
FOOTBALL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, AUGUST 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 August 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Mar 1889
NEWS OF THE MONTH. (Auckland Star, 23 March 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 08 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 24 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 July 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1889
THE Grey River Argus. PUBLISHED DAILY. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 1889. (Grey River Argus, 20 September 1889) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
WELLINGTON. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
Photograph, Victoria Street Bridge NZmuseums · Te Hikoi Museum · Te Hikoi Museum
4 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 19 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1890
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Poverty Bay Herald, 25 September 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1890
FERGUSON'S PATENT PIPE. (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1890) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Mar 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 07 March 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1891
LOCAL AND GNEERAL (Wanganui Chronicle, 26 March 1891) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1891
Local & General. (Star, 21 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1891
CHRISTMASTIDE. (Star, 26 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 March 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1892
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 05 May 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jun 1892
IN A NUTSHELL. (Otago Witness, 23 June 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Dec 1892
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 December 1892) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
9 Mar 1893
THE QUEENSLAND FLOODS. (Otago Witness, 09 March 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Apr 1893
Untitled (Bruce Herald, 07 April 1893) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1893
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 18 May 1893) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jul 1893
Victoria Street Bridge and Supreme Court, Christchurch by Alfred Burton · Auckland Art Gallery Collection · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki · Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki
21 Aug 1893
Local & General. (Star, 21 August 1893) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1893
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 08 November 1893) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1894
Crossing the Victoria Bridge by New Zealand Graphic · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
20 Feb 1894
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 20 February 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1894
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1894. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 March 1894) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 12 April 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 May 1894
FOOTBALL. (Auckland Star, 12 May 1894) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1894
Irish News. (New Zealand Tablet, 08 June 1894) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jun 1894
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 21 June 1894) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Jul 1894
Page 5 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 July 1894) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1894
Round about Christchurch by New Zealand Graphic · Photographs / He Whakaahua · Kura Heritage Collections Online · Auckland Libraries
31 Dec 1894
Evening Post. MONDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1894. 1894. (Evening Post, 31 December 1894) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jan 1895
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 22 January 1895) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jan 1896
Supreme Court and Victoria bridge, Christchurch The imperial album of New Zealand scenery · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
26 Feb 1896
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 February 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1896
The Marlborugh Express PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1896. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 27 May 1896) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1896
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 August 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1896
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 December 1896) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1897
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 15 January 1897) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1897
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 08 April 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 May 1897
IN A NUTSHELL. (Star, 28 May 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1897
REVISED CRICKET RECORDS. (Otago Witness, 03 June 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1897
CHRISTCHURCH DOMAIN BOARD. (Star, 10 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jun 1897
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 June 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1897
THE JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. (Wanganui Chronicle, 22 June 1897) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jul 1897
CITY COUNCIL. (Star, 13 July 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Evening Post, 13 August 1897) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 6 places
16 Oct 1897
Untitled (Auckland Star, 16 October 1897) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
2 Dec 1897
Poverty Bay Herald. PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 02 December 1897) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1897
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 03 December 1897) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Dec 1897
N.Z. PARLIAMENT, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 7. (Otago Witness, 16 December 1897) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 8 places
15 Jan 1898
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 15 January 1898) 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.

“Victoria Bridge”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch