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.

“"a"”, the shelf

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

59,205 records matching 95 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
13 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 13 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 (Timaru Herald, 13 November 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 November 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 14 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1878
RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.-THIS DAY. (Auckland Star, 14 November 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 14 November 1878) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. 13th November. (Evening Post, 14 November 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 15 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 4 (Timaru Herald, 15 November 1878) Timaru Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH (Wanganui Chronicle, 15 November 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
15 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH (Thames Star, 15 November 1878) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 16 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
16 Nov 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 16 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 16 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
16 Nov 1878
The otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 16 November 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
18 Nov 1878
HOTEL ARRIVALS. (Auckland Star, 18 November 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 19 November 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
19 Nov 1878
THE GREAT FIRE AT WAIMATE. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 November 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
19 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 19 November 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 20 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 22 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
22 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 22 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
22 Nov 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 22 November 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 23 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
23 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Thames Star, 23 November 1878) Thames Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 25 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
25 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 25 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 26 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 26 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
26 Nov 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 26 November 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
27 Nov 1878
Page 3 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 27 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 27 November 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 28 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 29 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
29 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH CITY GUARDS. (Star, 29 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
29 Nov 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 29 November 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 30 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 30 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 30 November 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
30 Nov 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 30 November 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
2 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 02 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Dec 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 03 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
3 Dec 1878
Destructive Fire at Sydenham. (Auckland Star, 03 December 1878) Auckland Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. December 3. (North Otago Times, 04 December 1878) North Otago Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
5 Dec 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 05 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
6 Dec 1878
FIRE AT CHRISTCHURCH. (Bruce Herald, 06 December 1878) Bruce Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 06 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
7 Dec 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 3 (Star, 07 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 09 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
9 Dec 1878
Page 1 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 09 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 10 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
10 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 10 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. 9th December. (Evening Post, 10 December 1878) Evening Post · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
10 Dec 1878
The Otago Daily Times. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE OTAGO GUARDIAN. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1878. (Otago Daily Times, 10 December 1878) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
12 Dec 1878
TELEGRAMS. (Hawke's Bay Herald, 12 December 1878) Hawke's Bay Herald · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
13 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 13 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1878
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 13 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
13 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 13 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1878
BIRTH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 14 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
14 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 14 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 17 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 17 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
17 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 17 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 18 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
18 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 18 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1878
AKAROA AND WAINUI ROAD BOARD (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 December 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 20 December 1878) Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
20 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 20 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 21 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
21 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 21 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
23 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 23 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
24 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 24 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1878
BOXING DAY. (Star, 27 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 2 places
27 Dec 1878
Page 4 Advertisements Column 2 (Star, 27 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1878
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 27 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
27 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 27 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
28 Dec 1878
HARBOUR BOARD. (Star, 28 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read · about 1 place
30 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Wanganui Chronicle, 30 December 1878) Wanganui Chronicle · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1878
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 31 December 1878) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
31 Dec 1878
Untitled (Marlborough Express, 31 December 1878) Marlborough Express · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1879
Canterbury Museum, Christchurch — New Zealand by Julius Von Haast · Matapihi · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Victoria University of Wellington
1879
Geological sections Lyttleton and Christchurch Railway Tunnel by Julius Von Haast · Matapihi · New Zealand Electronic Text Collection · Victoria University of Wellington
1 Jan 1879
SPECIAL TELEGRAMS (FROM OUR OWN correspondent) (Otago Daily Times, 01 January 1879) Otago Daily Times · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
1879
Dear Nellie Henry Bottle papers · Canterbury Stories · Christchurch City Libraries
1879
Geological Map of the Provinces of Canterbury and Westland, New Zealand, by Julius von Haast PH. D., F.R.S., Provincial Geologist by Haast, Julius von, 1822–1887 · Lincoln University Living Heritage: Tikaka Tuku Iho · Lincoln University
1879
Book: Geology of the Provinces of Canterbury and Westland, New Zealand, a Report Comprising the Results of Official Explorations Canterbury Museum · Canterbury Museum
2 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 02 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 03 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
3 Jan 1879
Page 2 Advertisements Column 1 (Star, 03 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 04 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1879
LOCAL AND GENERAL. (Star, 04 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
4 Jan 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 04 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1879
CHRISTCHURCH. (Star, 06 January 1879) Star · Papers Past · National Library of New Zealand · text read
6 Jan 1879
Page 4 Advertisements Column 7 (Star, 06 January 1879) Star · 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.

“"a"”, the shelf

The shelf

Its patch