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.

“Christchurch City Council”, the shelf

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

3,149 records matching 99 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
18 Jul 1884
Polling Places for Canterbury. (Star, 18 July 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
26 Jul 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 26 July 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Aug 1884
THE NEW PARLIAMENT. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 11 August 1884) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Aug 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 16 August 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
1 Sept 1884
Latest Locals (Star, 01 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 02 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Sept 1884
Board of Health. (Star, 03 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1884
Local & General. (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 04 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1884
Latest Locals (Star, 10 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Sept 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 15 September 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1884
Local & General (Star, 23 September 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
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
1 Oct 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 01 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
TELEGRAPHIC. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 07 October 1884) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Oct 1884
Latest Locals. (Star, 08 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Oct 1884
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 09 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Oct 1884
LOCAL & GENERAL. (Otago Witness, 18 October 1884) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Oct 1884
City Council. (Star, 21 October 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Oct 1884
News of the Week. (New Zealand Tablet, 24 October 1884) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Nov 1884
CHRISTCHURCH, (Colonist, 07 November 1884) Colonist · 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
12 Nov 1884
INTERPROVINCIAL. (Timaru Herald, 12 November 1884) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Nov 1884
Untitled (Auckland Star, 22 November 1884) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1884
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 01 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1884
The Otago Daily Tmes. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1884. (Otago Daily Times, 02 December 1884) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1884
Tramway to New Brighton. (Star, 03 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1884
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 05 December 1884) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Dec 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1884
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Dec 1884
Local & General. (Star, 30 December 1884) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Jan 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 03 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1885
Local & General. (Star, 14 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Jan 1885
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 20 January 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 12 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
17 Feb 1885
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 17 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Feb 1885
OUR CANTERBURY LETTER. (Otago Daily Times, 21 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Feb 1885
Selwyn County Council. (Star, 24 February 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Feb 1885
THE NEW BOYS HIGH SCHOOL. (Otago Daily Times, 27 February 1885) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Mar 1885
Local & General. (Star, 10 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 13 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Mar 1885
PASSING NOTES. (Otago Witness, 14 March 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Mar 1885
St Albans Borough Council. (Star, 17 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 18 March 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Mar 1885
Untitled (Auckland Star, 19 March 1885) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Mar 1885
Victoria bridge Christchurch bridges: plans and drawings · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
25 Mar 1885
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Marlborough Express, 25 March 1885) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Apr 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 11 April 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
15 Apr 1885
West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 1885. (West Coast Times, 15 April 1885) West Coast Times · 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
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
Kaiapoi Borough Council. (Star, 20 May 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
27 May 1885
Drainage Board. (Star, 27 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
6 Jun 1885
LOCAL & GENERAL (Otago Witness, 06 June 1885) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jun 1885
Latest Locals (Star, 12 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1885
LINWOOD TOWN BOARD. (Star, 01 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 06 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
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
25 Jul 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Jul 1885
Local & General (Star, 27 July 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1885
FORMER EXHIBITIONS. THE NEW ZEALAND EXHIBITION OF 1865. (Evening Post, 03 August 1885) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
11 Aug 1885
Untitled (Timaru Herald, 11 August 1885) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Aug 1885
Road Boards. (Star, 27 August 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
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
23 Oct 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 28 October 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Nov 1885
Latest Locals. (Star, 24 November 1885) Star · 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
30 Nov 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1885
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 December 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
8 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 08 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1885
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 14 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1885
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 December 1885) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 07 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 12 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jan 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 14 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1886
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Jan 1886
TELEGRAMS. (Southland Times, 19 January 1886) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jan 1886
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 January 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Feb 1886
Fire Brigade Station. (Star, 06 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1886
Latest Locals. (Star, 23 February 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1886
Local & General. (Star, 09 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Mar 1886
MUNICIPAL. (Star, 16 March 1886) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Mar 1886
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 25 March 1886) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1886
MEETING OF CREDITORS. (Nelson Evening Mail, 08 April 1886) Nelson Evening Mail · 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.

“Christchurch City Council”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch