How many records does the archive hold?

80,797 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.

“Canterbury Club”, the shelf

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

4,045 records matching 98 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 1870s
12 May 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Daily Times, 12 May 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 May 1877
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 30 May 1877) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Jun 1877
CHRISTCHURCH. (Manawatu Times, 06 June 1877) Manawatu Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1877
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED "The Evening News," "The Morning News," and "The Echo." FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1877. (Auckland Star, 06 July 1877) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Oct 1877
SUPREME COURT CASES. (Colonist, 20 October 1877) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1877
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (per press agency.) Christchurch, Nov. 6. (North Otago Times, 07 November 1877) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1877
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 13 November 1877) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1877
LOCAL AND GENRAL. (Star, 19 December 1877) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 05 January 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1878
Evening Post FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 1878. (Evening Post, 11 January 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 January 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jan 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Otago Witness, 26 January 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. sth February. (Evening Post, 06 February 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1878
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 20 February 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1878
LYTTELTON HARBOUE BOARD. (Star, 23 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Mar 1878
SNORTING. (Timaru Herald, 09 March 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Mar 1878
BIS G. GEEY AT THE ODDFELLOWS' HALL. (Star, 18 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 25 March 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1878
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 06 April 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Apr 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 20 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 24 April 1878) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1878
MR STOUT IN REPLY TO MR D. REID. (Otago Witness, 01 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jun 1878
LATEST CABLE TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 08 June 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1878
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 29 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 06 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1878
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 13 July 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Aug 1878
Per Press Agency.) CHRISTCHURCH. Ist August. (Evening Post, 02 August 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1878
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 15 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Aug 1878
LOCAL AMD GENERAL. (Star, 17 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 27 August 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 27 August 1878) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 02 September 1878) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 05 September 1878) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1878
OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN RAILWAY. (Star, 07 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1878
Evening Post. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1878. (Evening Post, 12 September 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. 1st October. (Evening Post, 02 October 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1878
SOUTHERN TELEGRAMS. (Auckland Star, 02 October 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (Grey River Argus, 05 October 1878) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1878
LOOAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1878
EXPRESS TELEGRAMS." (Marlborough Express, 30 October 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1878
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Bruce Herald, 05 November 1878) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Nov 1878
Untitled (Auckland Star, 05 November 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 12 December 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Dec 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1878
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 31 December 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jan 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jan 1879
Untitled (West Coast Times, 21 January 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Feb 1879
Untitled (Otago Daily Times, 19 February 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1879
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 01 March 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Mar 1879
Land and Water. (Otago Witness, 01 March 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1879
FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 1879. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION. (Evening Post, 07 March 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1879
TELEGRAMS. (Otago Daily Times, 09 April 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Apr 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1879
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 10 May 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1879
TELEGKAMS. (Grey River Argus, 02 June 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 16 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1879
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jul 1879
The Star. THURSDAY, JULY 24, 1879, (Star, 24 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1879
Christchurch, August 1. CHRISTCHURCH JOCKEY CLUB METROPOLITAN MEETING. (Grey River Argus, 04 August 1879) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Aug 1879
THE NEW NATIVE DISTURBANCE. (Evening Post, 30 August 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. 25th September. (Evening Post, 26 September 1879) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 29 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 04 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 24 October 1879) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1879
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 28 October 1879) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
30 Oct 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 October 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1879
CANTERBURY RACES. (West Coast Times, 03 November 1879) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1879
CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB SPRING MEETING. (Otago Daily Times, 03 November 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1879
SPORTING. CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (PER TIMES SPECIAL WIRE.) Christchurch, Nov. 11. (North Otago Times, 12 November 1879) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1879
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 12 November 1879) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL (Star, 21 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1879
Waste Land Board. (Otago Witness, 22 November 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 05 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Dec 1879
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 22 December 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
1880
Canterbury Rowing Club clubhouse 2013 Photo Hunt · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1880
Alexander Anderson, Francis Hunt and H. C. M. Lewis Pioneer Amateur Sports club images · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
22 Jan 1880
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Nelson Evening Mail, 22 January 1880) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1880
Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 23 January 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 January 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 30 January 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1880
CHRISTCHURCH (Waikato Times, 31 January 1880) Waikato 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.

“Canterbury Club”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch