How many records does the archive hold?

81,477 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.

“"Christchurch"”, the shelf

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

71,259 records matching 80 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
2 Jul 1873
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Timaru Herald, 02 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 03 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jul 1873
Varieties. (Star, 04 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Jul 1873
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 04 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
7 Jul 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 07 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1873
SOCIAL. (Otago Daily Times, 08 July 1873) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Jul 1873
Local and General. (Star, 08 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jul 1873
GENERAL. (Star, 09 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1873
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. (Tuapeka Times, 10 July 1873) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 10 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 11 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1873
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 14 July 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 15 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 16 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1873
MARRIAGE. (Star, 18 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1873
WESTLAND COUNTY COUNCIL. (Grey River Argus, 18 July 1873) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1873
Local and General. (Star, 19 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 19 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 22 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 23 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jul 1873
BILLIARD MATCH IN CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Herald, 28 July 1873) Wanganui Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 July 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 30 July 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1873
HEATHCOTE ROAD BOARD. (Star, 02 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1873
Local and General. (Star, 04 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 06 August 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH EAST EDUCATIONAL MEETING. (Star, 07 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 08 August 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
13 Aug 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 13 August 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1873
Local and General. (Star, 14 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
14 Aug 1873
EAST CHRISTCHURCH EDUCATIONAL DISTRICT. (Star, 14 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 14 August 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 15 August 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 20 August 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 23 August 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 August 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 27 August 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
29 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 29 August 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
30 Aug 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 30 August 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1873
SOCIAL. (Otago Daily Times, 02 September 1873) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 03 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
4 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 04 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
5 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 05 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
6 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 06 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Sept 1873
Local and General News. (Marlborough Express, 06 September 1873) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1873
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 08 September 1873) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 09 September 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
10 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 10 September 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
10 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 10 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
12 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 12 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 12 September 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
13 Sept 1873
Local and General. (Star, 13 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 15 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 17 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 17 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
18 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 18 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1873
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 18 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 18 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 18 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
19 Sept 1873
Magistorial. (Star, 19 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1873
WEST CHRISTCHURCH EDUCATIONAL DISTRICT. (Star, 19 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 19 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
20 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 20 September 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH CRICKET CLUB. (Star, 22 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 22 September 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1873
Local and General. (Star, 23 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1873
Untitled (Grey River Argus, 23 September 1873) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 23 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1873
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 26 September 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Sept 1873
CITY DRAINAGE. (Star, 27 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 29 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 29 September 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
30 Sept 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 September 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Sept 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 30 September 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 02 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Oct 1873
Untitled (Star, 02 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 03 October 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
4 Oct 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 04 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1873
Page 4 Advertisements Column 5 (Otago Daily Times, 07 October 1873) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 07 October 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 07 October 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
8 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 08 October 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
9 Oct 1873
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 09 October 1873) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 09 October 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
10 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Auckland Star, 10 October 1873) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 10 October 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand
11 Oct 1873
CHRISTCHURCH. (Evening Post, 11 October 1873) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand

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.

“"Christchurch"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch