How many records does the archive hold?

67,402 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.

“Station One”, the shelf

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

4,906 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 1870s
16 Feb 1878
EXPRESS" TELEGRAMS. (Marlborough Express, 16 February 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1878
LYTTELTON HARBOUE BOARD. (Star, 23 February 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
28 Feb 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Timaru Herald, 28 February 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 01 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Mar 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 04 March 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 05 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1878
SNORTING. (Timaru Herald, 09 March 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Mar 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 11 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
11 Mar 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Mar 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 26 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Mar 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 March 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 01 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Apr 1878
DRAINAGE BOARD. (Star, 02 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 06 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Apr 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 12 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Apr 1878
SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 1878. (Marlborough Express, 13 April 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Apr 1878
West Coast Time. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1878. (West Coast Times, 16 April 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 20 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 20 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Apr 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 20 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Apr 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Apr 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 30 April 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 May 1878
THE Marlborough Express. (Marlborough Express, 01 May 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 May 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Colonist, 04 May 1878) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 May 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 May 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 May 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 14 May 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 01 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jun 1878
MR STOUT IN REPLY TO MR D. REID. (Otago Witness, 01 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 05 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 05 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jun 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 05 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 11 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
11 Jun 1878
Untitled (Southland Times, 11 June 1878) Southland Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 13 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1878
SUPREME COURT. (Timaru Herald, 13 June 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jun 1878
News of the Week. (Otago Witness, 15 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jun 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 19 June 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (West Coast Times, 25 June 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 4 (West Coast Times, 26 June 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jun 1878
News of the week. (Otago Witness, 29 June 1878) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (West Coast Times, 01 July 1878) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Jul 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 01 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1878
MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. (Star, 02 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
INQUEST. (Star, 06 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jul 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 06 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Jul 1878
CANTERBURY DEUTSCHER VEREIN. (Star, 10 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 18 July 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 18 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jul 1878
SUPREME COURT. (Star, 18 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Jul 1878
CUSTOMS REVENUE RETURNS FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1877-1878. (Timaru Herald, 19 July 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 22 July 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Jul 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 24 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Colonist, 25 July 1878) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Jul 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 July 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 02 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 03 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Aug 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 07 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
8 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 20 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Aug 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 28 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Aug 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 7 (Timaru Herald, 28 August 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Aug 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 29 August 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 02 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
4 Sept 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 04 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
4 Sept 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Otago Daily Times, 04 September 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Sept 1878
OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH AND DUNEDIN RAILWAY. (Star, 07 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
7 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 09 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 10 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 12 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Sept 1878
Evening Post. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 1878. (Evening Post, 12 September 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Sept 1878
NEW ZEALAND RACERS. (Colonist, 12 September 1878) Colonist · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Sept 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 13 September 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place

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.

“Station One”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch