How many records does the archive hold?

61,639 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.

“Strong”, the shelf

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

3,181 records matching 99 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
22 Apr 1878
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Apr 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Auckland Star, 23 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Auckland Star, 25 April 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 01 May 1878) Marlborough Express · 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
11 May 1878
PUBLISHED DAILY.] SATURDAY, MAY, 1878. (Wanganui Herald, 11 May 1878) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 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
25 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1878
West Coast Times. (West Coast Times, 29 June 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jun 1878
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 29 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Evening Post, 06 July 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1878
CANTERBURY DEUTSCHER VEREIN. (Star, 10 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 24 July 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 August 1878) 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
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
13 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 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
17 Sept 1878
Untitled (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 17 September 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1878
SPECIAL TELEGRAMS. (Waikato Times, 26 September 1878) Waikato Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 26 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 October 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 November 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Jan 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 11 January 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jan 1879
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 20 January 1879) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1879
HARBOUR BOARD. (Star, 21 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1879
Land and Water. (Otago Witness, 01 March 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 March 1879) Star · 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
12 Apr 1879
news of the Week. (Otago Witness, 12 April 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1879
Diary of Henry Bottle, sheet 11 Shipboard diary, Henry Bottle · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
17 Apr 1879
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 17 April 1879) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Apr 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 April 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 09 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 May 1879) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 24 May 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jun 1879
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 June 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1879
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 09 June 1879) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 June 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1879
LYTTELTON HARBOUR BOARD. (Star, 04 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Jul 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 July 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Aug 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. MONDAY, AUGUST 4, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 04 August 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 August 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 03 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Sept 1879
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1879
THE TAIERI ELECTION. (Otago Witness, 13 September 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1879
IMPROVEMENTS IN LYTTELTON. (Star, 25 September 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1879
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1879. (Otago Daily Times, 27 October 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Nov 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 04 November 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 12 November 1879) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1879
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 15 November 1879) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1879
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 01 December 1879) Otago Daily Times · 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
10 Dec 1879
THE DRAINAGE OF CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1880s
10 Jan 1880
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 10 January 1880) Otago Witness · 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
24 Jan 1880
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 24 January 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
6 Feb 1880
POST OFFICE NOTICE. (Otago Daily Times, 06 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1880
THE BANK RETURNS. (Evening Post, 14 February 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Feb 1880
Untitled (Evening Post, 16 February 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1880. DEATH. (Otago Daily Times, 23 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Feb 1880
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 24 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1880
TELEGRAMS. (Tuapeka Times, 25 February 1880) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Feb 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Mar 1880
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 March 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1880
INTERIM REPORT BY THE NATIVE COMMISSION. (Evening Post, 18 March 1880) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1880
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 02 April 1880) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1880
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 03 April 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1880
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 06 April 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Apr 1880
City Council. (Auckland Star, 15 April 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1880
SCENE IN THE GISBORNE COURT. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 22 April 1880) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1880
DRAMATIC AND MUSICAL NOTES. (Otago Witness, 24 April 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1880
Untitled (Auckland Star, 11 May 1880) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 May 1880
OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE BOATRACE. (Otago Witness, 15 May 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 25 May 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1880
SOCIAL AND GENERAL (Otago Daily Times, 18 June 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 June 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Jul 1880
Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, JULY 17, 1880. (Otago Daily Times, 17 July 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 29 July 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1880
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 August 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1880
OAMARU. (Timaru Herald, 09 September 1880) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1880
THE GOVERNOR'S DEPARTURE FROM WELLINGTON. (Wanganui Herald, 10 September 1880) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1880
LYTTELTON AND CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 September 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Oct 1880
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 06 October 1880) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1880
MELBOURNE EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 09 October 1880) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1880
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 21 October 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Nov 1880
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 01 November 1880) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“Strong”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch