How many records does the archive hold?

65,200 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.

“Taylor”, the shelf

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

3,450 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 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 21 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 22 January 1885) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
23 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 23 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 26 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 28 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 29 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jan 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 02 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Feb 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 14 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Feb 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Feb 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 20 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
THE GOVERNMENT INSURANCE ASSOCIATION'S LAND PURCHASES. (Evening Post, 19 March 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Mar 1885
The Bruce Herald. " Nemo me impune lacesset." TOKOMAIRIRO, MARCH 20, 1885. (Bruce Herald, 20 March 1885) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 02 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 08 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Apr 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 13 April 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 15 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 16 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 25 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Apr 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 28 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1885
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Auckland Star, 30 April 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 12 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 12 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1885
FOOTBALL. (Star, 21 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 May 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 22 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 May 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 May 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 May 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 27 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1885
A Visit to the Lyttelton Batteries. (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jun 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 10 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1885
Sporting Intelligence. (Star, 11 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Jun 1885
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 18 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1885
FOOTBALL. (Star, 09 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jul 1885
TELEGRAMS, (Southland Times, 09 July 1885) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 14 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 16 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Jul 1885
POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH RETURNS. (Evening Post, 17 July 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 02 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 04 September 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Sept 1885
Local & General. (Star, 11 September 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Oct 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Nov 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Nov 1885
Local & General. (Star, 21 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
25 Nov 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 25 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1885
School of Art Examinations (Star, 07 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1885
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 17 December 1885) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Dec 1885
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 18 December 1885) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Dec 1885
DUNEDIN CUP. AUCKLAND TRAINING NOTES. CANTERBURY SPORTING NOTES, (Otago Witness, 19 December 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1885
THE DEAD HAND MYSTERY. (Taranaki Herald, 30 December 1885) Taranaki Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Jan 1886
TELEGRAPHIC. (Poverty Bay Herald, 09 January 1886) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 13 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1886
Pupil Teachers' Examination. (Star, 15 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jan 1886
ONE OF THE FISHING PARTY. (Star, 26 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
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
THE DEAD HAND PLOT. (Poverty Bay Herald, 27 January 1886) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
27 Jan 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 27 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jan 1886
THE BEARER OF THE LETTERS. (Star, 27 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 10 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Feb 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Feb 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1886
COURSING. OUR TRAINING KENNELS. (Otago Witness, 27 February 1886) Otago Witness · 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
9 Mar 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Apr 1886
The Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 10 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
14 Apr 1886
THE OTOGO DAILY TIMES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 1886. (Otago Daily Times, 14 April 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
28 Apr 1886
SCHOOL COMMITTEES. (Star, 28 April 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 May 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 07 May 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
13 May 1886
FOOTBALL. (Star, 13 May 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1886
THE SYDENHAM ELECTION, (Evening Post, 17 May 1886) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1886
MUNICIPAL. (Star, 01 June 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jun 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 03 June 1886) Star · 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
26 Jul 1886
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 26 July 1886) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Jul 1886
NOTES BY FORWARD. (Otago Witness, 30 July 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1886
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 06 August 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
27 Aug 1886
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 27 August 1886) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1886
Fatal Accident. (Star, 02 September 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1886
FATAL BOAT ACCIDENT. (Grey River Argus, 03 September 1886) Grey River Argus · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1886
SAD DROWNING CASE. [BY TELEGRAPH.- PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Christchurch, Thursday. (Waikato Times, 04 September 1886) Waikato 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.

“Taylor”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch