How many records does the archive hold?

71,563 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 Grand Hotel”, the shelf

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

2,025 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 1886
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 19 November 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 27 November 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 03 December 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
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1897. (Otago Daily Times, 21 January 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Feb 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 08 February 1887) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1887
Poverty Bay Herald PUBLISHED EVERY EVENING GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1887. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 March 1887) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1887
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1887. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 15 March 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 22 March 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
10 Aug 1887
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 1887. (Otago Daily Times, 10 August 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 12 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1887
Local & General. (Star, 29 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Sept 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 01 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Southland Times, 03 September 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 07 September 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Sept 1887
1.0.0.P., M.U. (Star, 09 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1887
SPORTING NEWS. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1887
THE OTAGO TOUR OF 1887. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1887
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 30 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1887
NOTES BY BEACON. (Otago Witness, 21 October 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Oct 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 9 (Otago Daily Times, 07 November 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 15 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 December 1887) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1888
PUPIL TEACHERS' EXAMINATION. (Star, 20 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
3 Feb 1888
Local & General. (Star, 03 February 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 07 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1888
THE HUTT RAILWAY. (Evening Post, 02 April 1888) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 April 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1888
Local & General. (Star, 23 May 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
15 Sept 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 September 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1888
Local & General. (Star, 10 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1888
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Nov 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1888
Local & General. (Star, 20 November 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 06 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Dec 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 14 December 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1888
Local & General. (Star, 26 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1888
Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1888. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." GOOD ADVICE. Local and General Intelligence. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1888) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 December 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 07 January 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jan 1889
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 09 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jan 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 18 January 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1889
HOME AND FOREIGN. (Bush Advocate, 21 February 1889) Bush Advocate · 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
11 Apr 1889
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 11 April 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Apr 1889
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 24 April 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Apr 1889
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 1889. (West Coast Times, 27 April 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
3 Jun 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Inangahua Times, 03 June 1889) Inangahua Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
27 Jun 1889
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 27 June 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1889
THE FROZEN MEAT TRADE. + (Evening Post, 29 June 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jul 1889
Untitled (Poverty Bay Herald, 30 July 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 August 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1889. (West Coast Times, 10 September 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Sept 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1889
TOWN & COUNTRY. (Timaru Herald, 23 September 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
26 Sept 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 26 September 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1889
A RAILWAY TIMBER GEIEVANCE. (Evening Post, 27 September 1889) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Oct 1889
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Oct 1889
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 October 1889) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1889
IN AND ABOUT CHRISTCHURCH. THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS. (Te Aroha News, 27 November 1889) Te Aroha News · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1889
Local & General. (Star, 27 November 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1889
A TRIP TO THE EXHIBITION (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 December 1889) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1889
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 10 December 1889) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
the 1890s
20 Jan 1890
The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 1890. (Auckland Star, 20 January 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Feb 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 04 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 25 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 01 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1890
Local News. (Star, 05 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Mar 1890
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 15 March 1890) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Mar 1890
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 March 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 May 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 23 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jun 1890
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 24 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1890
District and General. (Bush Advocate, 26 July 1890) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1890
West Coast Times. SATURDAY, JULY 26, 1890. (West Coast Times, 26 July 1890) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jul 1890
TALK OF THE DAY. (Otago Witness, 31 July 1890) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1890
Local & General, (Star, 20 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Sept 1890
THE WAIRARAPA SEAT. (Evening Post, 27 September 1890) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Oct 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1890
Local & General. (Star, 25 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Dec 1890
The Akaroa Mail. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1890 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 12 December 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1890
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 28 January 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jan 1891
Local & General. (Star, 30 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1891
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 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
28 Mar 1891
THE EASTER ENCAMPMENT. (North Otago Times, 28 March 1891) North Otago 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.

“The Grand Hotel”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch