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 Monday Room”, the shelf

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

1,946 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
11 Apr 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Apr 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 30 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1885
Local and General. (Clutha Leader, 15 May 1885) Clutha Leader · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1885
The Otago Daily Times. FRIDAY, MAY 29, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 29 May 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Jun 1885
The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, JUNE 30, 1885. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 30 June 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1885
Local and General. (Star, 04 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1885
THE PAY IN THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. (Evening Post, 21 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 23 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 13 October 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Oct 1885
The Otago Daily Times. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1885. (Otago Daily Times, 13 October 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Oct 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 17 October 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1885
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 04 December 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1885
West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1885. (West Coast Times, 24 December 1885) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1886
UNKNOWN (Star, 26 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1886
THE SEVERED HAND. (Timaru Herald, 27 January 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 13 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 05 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1886
Little River. (Star, 19 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Apr 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 22 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1886
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 12 May 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1886
The Floods. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 May 1886) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1886
Local & General. (Star, 22 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 02 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1886
THE TREATMENT OF UNCONVICTED PRISONERS. (Evening Post, 12 June 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Otago Daily Times, 12 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 June 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1886
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 July 1886) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 26 July 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
4 Aug 1886
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4, 1886. (West Coast Times, 04 August 1886) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Aug 1886
The Timaru Herald. MONDAY, AUGUST 9, 1886. (Timaru Herald, 09 August 1886) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1886
VITAL STATISTICS. (Evening Post, 20 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Aug 1886
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM. (Evening Post, 24 August 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Evening Post, 24 September 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Oct 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 08 October 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Oct 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 October 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1886
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Marlborough Express, 25 October 1886) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 November 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
10 Dec 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 December 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1886
Local & General. (Star, 13 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 24 December 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 07 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1887
Untitled (Southland Times, 20 January 1887) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 21 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
24 Jan 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 24 January 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1887
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 26 January 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 28 January 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1887
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 January 1887) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Feb 1887
Wanganui Chronicle, AND PATEA AND RANGITIKEI ADVERTISER. "NULLA DIES SINE LINEA." WEDNESDAY, FEBRUABY 16,1887. (Wanganui Chronicle, 16 February 1887) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1887
TELEGRAPHIC. (Otago Witness, 18 February 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 February 1887) Wanganui Chronicle · 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
14 May 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 14 May 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 May 1887
The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 18 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 May 1887
MONDAY, MAY 23, 1887. (Timaru Herald, 23 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 May 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 31 May 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 10 June 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
1 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 01 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1887
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 15 July 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
19 Aug 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 19 August 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 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
14 Sept 1887
Local & General. (Star, 14 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Sept 1887
Christchurch South. (Star, 16 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
21 Oct 1887
Local & General. (Star, 21 October 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Nov 1887
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 11 November 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 November 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1887
AUSTRALIA." (Evening Post, 24 November 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Otago Daily Times, 24 December 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 7 places
1 Feb 1888
SANE PEOPLE IN THE ASYLUM. (Auckland Star, 01 February 1888) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Feb 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 17 February 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Feb 1888
THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES (Otago Daily Times, 18 February 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Mar 1888
Local & General. (Star, 14 March 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1888
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 06 April 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1888
West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 17, 1888. (West Coast Times, 17 April 1888) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Apr 1888
SOCIAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Daily Times, 18 April 1888) Otago Daily Times · 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
12 Jun 1888
NEWS OF THE DAY. (Bush Advocate, 12 June 1888) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jul 1888
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 03 July 1888) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jul 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 13 July 1888) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
18 Aug 1888
Local & General. (Star, 18 August 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1888
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 01 September 1888) 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.

“The Monday Room”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch