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.

“J Books”, the shelf

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

1,932 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
29 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 May 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, JUNE 12, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 17 June 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 24, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 24 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 08 July 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1882
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Auckland Star, 17 July 1882) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Aug 1882
AUSTRALIA v. ENGLAND. (Evening Post, 31 August 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1882
The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1882. (Nelson Evening Mail, 12 September 1882) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 20 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 September 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1882
LOOAL & GENEEAL. (Otago Witness, 30 September 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 October 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Hawke's Bay Herald, 09 December 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 23 December 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Dec 1882
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 29 December 1882) New Zealand Tablet · 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
20 Jan 1883
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 20 January 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Feb 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Southland Times, 05 February 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1883
TELEGRAMS. INTERPROVINCIAL. [BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (Waikato Times, 06 February 1883) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Feb 1883
Local & General. (Star, 08 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1883
TELEGRAMS. (Colonist, 12 February 1883) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Southland Times, 17 February 1883) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 27 February 1883) Marlborough Express · 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
7 Mar 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Mar 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Marlborough Express, 10 March 1883) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 14 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 10 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1883
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MAY 11, 1888. (Otago Daily Times, 11 May 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1883
Untitled (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 May 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (West Coast Times, 19 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 May 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 May 1883
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1883. (West Coast Times, 31 May 1883) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jun 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jun 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 June 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 06 July 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Jul 1883
The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, JULY 11, 1883. (Timaru Herald, 11 July 1883) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1883
Local & General. (Star, 20 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1883
LOOAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 25 August 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Nelson Evening Mail, 05 September 1883) Nelson Evening Mail · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 08 September 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Sept 1883
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 08 September 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
22 Nov 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 22 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 02 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
11 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jan 1884
Local & General. (Star, 25 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 31 January 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 02 February 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1884
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 12 February 1884) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 28 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Mar 1884
The "Lyttelton Times" Company's New Buildings. (Star, 15 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Mar 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 March 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 19 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1884
CATHOLIC CEREMONIES AT WELLINGTON. (New Zealand Tablet, 21 March 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
26 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 27 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Grey River Argus, 08 April 1884) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 09 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 May 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Auckland Star, 07 May 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Evening Post, 15 May 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 22 May 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
30 Jun 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jul 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1884
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 18 July 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 30 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1884
Local & General. (Star, 14 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 16 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Sept 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Untitled (Wanganui Herald, 26 September 1884) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 08 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 09 October 1884) 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.

“J Books”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch