How many records does the archive hold?

70,536 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.

“Form”, the shelf

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

3,099 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
20 Feb 1882
SECOND EDITION. (Star, 20 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1882. (Star, 24 February 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Feb 1882
Untitled (Auckland Star, 28 February 1882) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 06 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1882
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
10 Mar 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, MARCH 10, 1882. (Star, 10 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1882
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MARCH IT, 1882. (Otago Daily Times, 17 March 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Mar 1882
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 20 March 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
Local & General. (Star, 31 March 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Mar 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 31 March 1882) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHI- (Otago Daily Times, 11 April 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Apr 1882
THE EXHIBITION. (Star, 11 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1882
A MISLEADING COMPARISON. (Evening Post, 14 April 1882) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Apr 1882
NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. (Otago Witness, 15 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
15 Apr 1882
THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 15 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. (Colonist, 15 April 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1882
Untitled (Southland Times, 18 April 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Apr 1882
CHRISTCHURCH EXHIBITION. (Colonist, 18 April 1882) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1882
OPENING OP THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Timaru Herald, 20 April 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Poverty Bay Herald, 22 April 1882) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Apr 1882
Local & General. (Star, 22 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1882
FURNITURE. (Star, 27 April 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 29 April 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 05 May 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1882
EXHIBITION AWARDS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 12 May 1882) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 13 May 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 May 1882
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (North Otago Times, 19 May 1882) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 22 May 1882) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1882
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 24 May 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jun 1882
SYDENHAM LICENSING COMMTTEE. (Star, 07 June 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1882
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1882) Otago Witness · 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
16 Jun 1882
Untitled (Clutha Leader, 16 June 1882) Clutha Leader · 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
19 Jun 1882
Local & General. (Star, 19 June 1882) Star · 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
29 Jun 1882
The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, JUNE 29, 18S2. (Otago Daily Times, 29 June 1882) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Aug 1882
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1882. (Timaru Herald, 01 August 1882) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 15 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Aug 1882
The Star. FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 1882. (Star, 25 August 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 August 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Aug 1882
Local & General. (Star, 26 August 1882) 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
8 Sept 1882
DEATH OF DR. WARD. (New Zealand Tablet, 08 September 1882) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1882
Local & General. (Star, 16 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
25 Sept 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Daily Telegraph, 25 September 1882) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Poverty Bay Herald, 25 September 1882) Poverty Bay Herald · 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
7 Oct 1882
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 October 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Nov 1882
CHRISTCHURCH RACES. (BY TELEGRAPH.) Christchurch, Nov. 6. (North Otago Times, 07 November 1882) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1882
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 22 November 1882) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1882
EXHIBITIONS. Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Exhibition. (Otago Witness, 25 November 1882) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1882
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 December 1882) Star · 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
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 December 1882) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 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
8 Feb 1883
TELEGRAMS. [UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.] (Evening Post, 08 February 1883) Evening Post · 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
17 Feb 1883
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 February 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Feb 1883
The Otago Daily Times. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 22 February 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 05 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 07 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
The Otago Daily Times. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 1883. (Otago Daily Times, 07 March 1883) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Mar 1883
Untitled (Evening Post, 07 March 1883) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 24 March 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Mar 1883
Local & General. (Star, 29 March 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Apr 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 April 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 13 April 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Marlborough Express, 13 April 1883) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1883
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 13 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Apr 1883
RAMBLES ROUND THE WORLD.—VIII. (Auckland Star, 14 April 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Apr 1883
Local & General. (Star, 26 April 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Apr 1883
News Of The Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 27 April 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1883
THEATRICAL. (Otago Witness, 28 April 1883) Otago Witness · 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
25 May 1883
Untitled (New Zealand Tablet, 25 May 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1883
Untitled (Wanganui Herald, 01 June 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jun 1883
LOCAL & GENERAL, (Otago Witness, 09 June 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Jun 1883
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 22 June 1883) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
12 Jul 1883
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 12 July 1883) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
21 Jul 1883
FIELD SPORTS AND AQUATICS. (Auckland Star, 21 July 1883) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 25 July 1883) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1883
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 14 August 1883) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1883
Local & General. (Star, 20 August 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH. (New Zealand Tablet, 07 September 1883) New Zealand Tablet · 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
10 Sept 1883
CHRISTCHURCH v. EAST CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 September 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1883
Local & General (Star, 03 October 1883) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Oct 1883
NOTES BY PASQUIN, (Otago Witness, 06 October 1883) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1883
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Grey River Argus, 16 October 1883) Grey River Argus · 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.

“Form”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch