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.

“The Yard”, the shelf

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

2,222 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
23 Jul 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Timaru Herald, 23 July 1887) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Aug 1887
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 06 August 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
20 Aug 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 (Star, 20 August 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Aug 1887
Page 1 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 25 August 1887) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Sept 1887
Latest Locals. (Star, 20 September 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Sept 1887
THE OTAGO TOUR OF 1887. (Otago Witness, 23 September 1887) Otago Witness · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Sept 1887
FOOTBALL. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1887) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Nov 1887
AUSTRALIA." (Evening Post, 24 November 1887) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 14 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
24 Dec 1887
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 24 December 1887) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Jan 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 05 January 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Jan 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 20 January 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jun 1888
Local & General, (Star, 28 June 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jul 1888
LOCAL AMD GENERAL. (Ashburton Guardian, 02 July 1888) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Jul 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 8 (Timaru Herald, 12 July 1888) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Oct 1888
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 19 October 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Nov 1888
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Otago Daily Times, 08 November 1888) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1888
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 18 December 1888) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
22 Dec 1888
Latest Locals. (Star, 22 December 1888) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Dec 1888
Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELDS REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1888. "MEASURES, NOT MEN." GOOD ADVICE. Local and General Intelligence. (Tuapeka Times, 26 December 1888) Tuapeka Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1888
The Akaroa Mail, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1888. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 28 December 1888) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 07 January 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 16 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Jan 1889
Page 1 Advertisements Column 2 (Timaru Herald, 23 January 1889) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Jan 1889
Untitled (Daily Telegraph, 24 January 1889) Daily Telegraph · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Feb 1889
The Star. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1889. Clocks and Clock-towers. (Star, 23 February 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Mar 1889
Marlborough Express, PUBLSISHED EVERY EVENING. THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1889. LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Marlborough Express, 07 March 1889) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Apr 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 17 April 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 08 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
8 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 08 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 09 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
16 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 16 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
17 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 17 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 21 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
25 May 1889
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 25 May 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
6 Jun 1889
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (West Coast Times, 06 June 1889) West Coast Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 13 June 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 3 places
1 Aug 1889
Late Advertisements. (Otago Daily Times, 01 August 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Aug 1889
MAGISTERIAL. (Star, 12 August 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Sept 1889
Untitled (Auckland Star, 10 September 1889) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Sept 1889
MISCELLANEOUS. (Otago Daily Times, 24 September 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 4 places
25 Oct 1889
Page 24 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 25 October 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Oct 1889
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 October 1889) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1889
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Otago Daily Times, 03 December 1889) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1889
Page 24 Advertisements Column 2 (New Zealand Tablet, 20 December 1889) New Zealand Tablet · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
the 1890s
1 Jan 1890
Mt Leinster Jan Shuttleworth Collection · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
14 Jan 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 4 (Star, 14 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jan 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 January 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Feb 1890
Local News. (Star, 18 February 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Mar 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 March 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Apr 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 04 April 1890) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 May 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 May 1890
THE LATE RAILWAY ACCIDENT. (Star, 17 May 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Jun 1890
NEW SOUTH WALES ATHLETIC MEETING. (Poverty Bay Herald, 02 June 1890) Poverty Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Jun 1890
Sydney Championship Meeting. (Observer, 07 June 1890) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Jun 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 18 June 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jul 1890
District and General. (Bush Advocate, 26 July 1890) Bush Advocate · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Aug 1890
SYDENHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Star, 19 August 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Sept 1890
TABLE TALK. (Auckland Star, 19 September 1890) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Sept 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 19 September 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Oct 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 07 October 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1890
Latest Locals. (Star, 15 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 27 November 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1890
South Rakaia Road. Board. (Ashburton Guardian, 05 December 1890) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
8 Dec 1890
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 08 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Dec 1890
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 19 December 1890) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Jan 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 02 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Jan 1891
Telegraphic. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 05 January 1891) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Jan 1891
THE INFANTICIDE CASE. (Star, 16 January 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Jan 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 28 January 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Jan 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 31 January 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
2 Feb 1891
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Ashburton Guardian, 02 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Feb 1891
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 06 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Feb 1891
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 10 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Feb 1891
Page 1 Advertisements Column 4 (Ashburton Guardian, 12 February 1891) Ashburton Guardian · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Mar 1891
LITTLE RIVER ROAD BOARD. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 06 March 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Apr 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 6 (Star, 01 April 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 May 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 05 May 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 May 1891
Sheffield" Handicap (Observer, 16 May 1891) Observer · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 May 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 29 May 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Jun 1891
Sydenham Borough Council (Star, 09 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Jun 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 13 June 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Jun 1891
AKAROA BOROUGH COUNCIL. (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 June 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Jul 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 21 July 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
21 Jul 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 21 July 1891) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Aug 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 04 August 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
5 Aug 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 (Auckland Star, 05 August 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Aug 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 5 (Auckland Star, 06 August 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
12 Oct 1891
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 12 October 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Oct 1891
A "CENTRAL" POLLING-PLACE. (Evening Post, 31 October 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
9 Nov 1891
Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 (Evening Post, 09 November 1891) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1 Dec 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 01 December 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1891
Untitled (Auckland Star, 04 December 1891) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1891
Page 2 Advertisements Column 5 (Star, 12 December 1891) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Jan 1892
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 15 January 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Feb 1892
Local & General. (Star, 15 February 1892) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Mar 1892
LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS. (Tuapeka Times, 09 March 1892) Tuapeka 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.

“The Yard”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch