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.

“The Yard”, the shelf

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

2,150 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
16 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 23 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Feb 1884
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 February 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 March 1884) 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
22 Mar 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 March 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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 2 (Star, 28 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
1 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 April 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 April 1884) 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
16 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 May 1884
Football. (Star, 19 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 May 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 May 1884
ANOTHER FLAW IN THE LICENSING ACT. (Evening Post, 24 May 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 03 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1884
Local and General (Star, 09 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jun 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 June 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 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
18 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1884) Otago Witness · 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
1 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Aug 1884
FOOTBALL. (Star, 11 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 August 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 15 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 22 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 25 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 September 1884) Star · 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
27 Sept 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
7 Oct 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
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
11 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 11 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Oct 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Oct 1884
SPORTING. (Otago Daily Times, 18 October 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 24 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Oct 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 27 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Oct 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 30 October 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Nov 1884
TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL SHOW. (Timaru Herald, 06 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Evening Post, 08 November 1884) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 29 November 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1884
The Charges Against the Crabtrees. (Star, 23 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1884
AMALGAMATED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE. (Star, 27 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1884
February (Star, 31 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
31 Dec 1884
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 31 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 06 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 07 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 15 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Feb 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 13 February 1885) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 21 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 23 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 18 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 20 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 21 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1885
Kaiapoi Borough Council. (Star, 25 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Apr 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 18 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Apr 1885
City Council. (Star, 21 April 1885) Star · 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
21 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) 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 Yard”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch